Families of the mentally ill may have negative experiences in the hospital setting that make them feel distrustful and alienated from the mental health profession in general.
Sources of Distress Among Families of the Hospitalized Mentally Ill Evelyn M . McElroyPeriodic psychiatric hospitalization is an inherent component of treatment for persons diagnosed with such major psychiatric illnesses as the schizophrenias or the bi-polar affective disorders. The staff members in these treatment facilities are usually the first professionals to introduce families to the mental health care delivery system. Consequently, the interactions between staff and family members have a tremendous impact on the family's perception of care rendered to the mentally ill, their subsequent feelings about psychiatric care, and their sense of burden. The purpose of this chapter is to describe common problems encountered by families as they relate to professionals in psychiatric hospitals that may contribute unnecessarily to family distress and to families developing negative attitudes toward personnel in psychiatric settings. Common problems encountered by families are a presumption of guilt reflected in actions by the staff toward them; failure to provide active, individualized treatment for the mentally ill relative; use of potentially abusive treatments; and the misuse of videotaping in treatment facilities, including a lack of informed consent for such practices when applied to families. Such problems are discussed because they can be readily addressed and rectified.
61A B. Hatfield (ed.).
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