VERONICA

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A mental disability is a cognitive or psychological condition that limits a major life activity in some way or requires special services.

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In our society there is a powerful negative stigma attached to mental illness, especially the more severe forms, like schizophrenia.

Schizophrenia is a type of psychosis that is generally characterized by hallucinations, disordered thinking and delusions.

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People with mental disability do not always follow their treatment plan.

Effective communication between health care providers and their patients is an essential part of ensuring that vital information about treatment option and maintaining contact with services is understood and followed by the patient.

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For patients with mental disabilities and those who care them can be challenging. There are many negative outcomes for patients with mental disabilities who experience ineffective communication with health care providers which include alienation, increase of symptoms and possible compulsory hospitalization.

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Effective communication skills are used by health care providers, their patients are more satisfied and adhere to their treatment plan.

Moreover, patients rapport is a necessary part of giving the patient confidence to be pro-active in their treatment regimes

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Genetic – Having a close family member with mental disabilities

Drug and alcohol abuse – depression, anxiety

Infections – meningitis

Head injury

Poor nutrition and exposure to toxins e.g. lead

Psychological – physical, emotional or sexual abuse, early loss of parents, neglect, poor ability to relate to others

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Communicating with a person you know that suffers from a mental illness can definitely be challenging. Fortunately, there are many tools you can use that will help you and your loved one understands each other.

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The most important tool in communicating with anybody – mentally ill or not – is respect; treat the other person like you would like to be treated. Also, when someone feels respected and heard, they are more likely to be respectful and consider what the other person has to say.

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Effective communication skills involve

Active listening/reflective listening

Attending to a patient

Demonstrating a caring, respectful attitude

Praising, encouraging patient

Speaking clearly and simply at a level the patient can understand

Encouraging patient to ask questions

Paraphrasing and summarising

Asking checking questions

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DO:-

Relax and stay calm.

Start a conversation with the expectation that things will go smoothly.

Minimize distractions; ask if you can turn off the TV for example.

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Listen and make eye-contact (unless this is threatening).

Simplify. One topic at a time.

Use “I-statements” not “you-statements”.

Acknowledge what the other person says and how they feel, even if you don’t agree.

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Paraphrase; “If I understand you correctly, you and I…” “Is that what you’re saying?”

Engage the person in the process by asking for opinions and suggestions

Watch out for contradictory messages between verbal and non-verbal messages.

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Look for common ground. Focus on observable facts; things you both saw or heard “You say you have trouble concentrating at school if you don’t take your medication?”

Honestly sharing your own feelings can reduce defensiveness on both sides.

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Stick to present issues.

Use humor in easy situations.

A touch on the shoulder can be comforting to some, but anxiety-provoking to others. Just ask; for example, “Can I hug you?” or “Can I hold your hand?”.

Acknowledge your own responsibility; don’t wait for the other person to do it first.

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DON’T

Do not start a conversation expecting a confrontation. Approaching a person with your defenses up will likely make the communication difficult.

Don’t take it personally; remember that your loved one’s illness can affect their behavior and communication skills.

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Don’t criticize, accuse or blame.

Don’t assume. Clarify by asking questions.

Don’t expect the other person to “just understand it” if you cannot explain it.

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No loss of language skills

Talkative

Very articulate

Limited/Reduced non-verbal communication

Altered social interactions skills

Low communication skills

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Low eye contact

Difficult in understanding, reasoning, talking and memory

In capable of making decisions

Talkative

People are often frightened due to their bizarre and unpredicted behavior as others are dangerous

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Fear of mentally ill people stems from our own inability to communicate with them and lack of knowledge about mental illness

Disordered thinking – may appear to talk none sense.

Inability to negotiate

Stigma leads to discrimination, social isolation, material deprivation, marginalization and an obstacle in treatment, rehabilitation and reintegration of these individual into the community

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Thank you for listening