Families and Mental Illness Directory
If someone in your family has a mental illness, life can be challenging. Caregiving may be part of your daily routine, including giving medications, doctor visits, and making the family member feel loved. For some, mental illness may lead to behavior problems, even abuse. It's important to protect yourself and the rest of your family as well as the ill loved one. Follow the links below to find WebMD's comprehensive coverage about how to care for a family member with mental illness, how to avoid burnout, what symptoms to watch for, treatments available, and much more.
Medical Reference
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Talking to Friends and Family About Your Bipolar Disorder
Tips and advice on talking to friends and family about your bipolar disorder.
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How to Find Personal Strength as a Caregiver
Caregiving can wear you down emotionally and spiritually. These tips can help you stay strong and resilient.
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What If Someone I Know Has Schizophrenia?
Caring For Someone With Schizophrenia. The Top Things You Can Do to Help.
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Rights for People With Mental Illness
People with mental illness, such as schizophrenia, have certain rights to protection under the law. WebMD explains.
Features
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Glenn Close: 'Mental Illness Is a Family Affair'
In flashes of childhood memory, actress Glenn Close can still see her younger sister, Jessie, anxiously picking at the skin between her forefinger and thumb. Many children have nervous habits -- but Jessie's seemed different.
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Working With Schizophrenia
It’s important to have a job when you have a mental illness like schizophrenia. See why.
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Schizophrenia and Relationships
Schizophrenia and relationships: help for family, friends, and partners.
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When Schizophrenia Appears
Learn the signs of schizophrenia.
Video
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Postpartum Depression (PPD)
A life-altering event, positive or negative, can tip the balance for those vulnerable to mood disorders.
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Anxiety Disorders and Your Family
Psychologist Patricia Farrell, PhD, talks about family history as it relates to anxiety disorder.
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Emotional Stress Can Cause Illness
Gender medicine specialist Marianne Legato, MD, discusses how stress can lead to illness in both sexes.
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How Stress Affects Men and Women
Psychologist Patricia Farrell, PhD, discusses the different ways men and women handle stress.
Slideshows & Images
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Slideshow: A Visual Guide to Schizophrenia
Hearing voices is just one of the many symptoms of schizophrenia, a mental illness explained in our slideshow. Brain scans may eventually help explain the causes, symptoms, and treatments for the disease.
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Phobias Slideshow: What Are You Afraid Of?
Afraid of crowds? Fearful of flying? WebMD investigates common phobias and how they can sometimes seriously affect our lives.