Is this person crazy?Maybe! Maybe

not!

While you most likely won’t be working with

Jack Nicholson, infamous for his crazy roles, most caregivers

will work with elderly or aging adults and with

other populations at risk that need assistance.

Many of these people will have mental disorders.

Mental Health Disordersin perspective… • One in five people will suffer a mental

disorder this year that disrupts their work, health and relationships.

• Mental disorders can affect anyone, and can be brought on by substance abuse, genetics or stress.

• Mental disorders alter mood and behavior in a way that causes impairment, and sometimes even violence and suicide.

• About half of all people with serious mental illness develop substance abuse problems.

• People with a mental disorder are at high risk for homelessness and incarceration, making up at least a quarter of the homeless on any given night, and as much as one-fifth of the prison population.

Source: The Seattle Foundation

Mary is always restless due to her Anxiety Disorder

All of us experience anxiety from time to time. A person with an anxiety disorder will have such a high level of anxiety that coping with life’s challenges may be too difficult for the person. He or she may use a variety of coping mechanisms, some of which might be harmful to themselves or to others. Any of these disorders may make it impossible for the person to live a normal, productive life.

These are the four most common forms: Panic disorder, phobias, obsessive-compulsive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder

Ricky has trouble fitting in due to his Mood Disorder

• typically includes bi-polar disorder (what we used to call manic-depressive disorder) and serious depression

• Individuals with bi-polar disorder may be mostly manic (high energy, racing thoughts, irritability, restlessness) or mostly depressive (hopelessness, loss of interest in life, decreased energy, suicidal thoughts or actions).

• Serious depression occurs in many adults, including older adults.

• It can frequently be very successfully treated with medication.

Josh’s life is ruled by his Schizophrenia

• this is a severe, chronic and disabling mental health disorder. • it typically begins in the late teens to the 20s or 30s. • symptoms of this disorder include

• delusions• hallucinations• paranoia• psychosis

• individuals with schizophrenia may work and be independent while taking appropriate medication. Medications have side effects that can be unpleasant, however, causing many with this disorder to discontinue their medication and their symptoms to reoccur. • as they age, individuals with schizophrenia may look like a lot like a person with Alzheimer’s disease. • many of the same tools work with these individuals – distraction, humor, reassurance, and not challenging their reality.

This training course was specifically developed to assist you to become a successful caregiver. Thank you for investing in your future as well as the future of the people under your care.

Sharon K. Brothers, MSWPresident, EasyCEU.com

We welcome your comments & suggestions for improving our

training programs. 503-655-4757

info@aquiretraining.com