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Title details for A Balanced Life: Nine Strategies for Coping with the Mental Health Problems of a Loved One by Tom Smith - Available

A Balanced Life: Nine Strategies for Coping with the Mental Health Problems of a Loved One

by Tom Smith
ebook
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A practical, compassionate guide to building a supportive relationship with someone with a mental illness—while taking care of yourself.
A practical, compassionate guide to building a supportive relationship with someone with a mental illness—while taking care of yourself.

The ultimate goal of those with a mental disorder and the people who love them is balance: emotional, mental, spiritual, and behavioral. Yet, living with and responding to a mentally ill person often leads to the chaos of a relationship where the rules change, the dynamics are volatile, and the expectations are unanchored. In readable, down-to-earth prose, A Balance Life teaches family and friends what they can expect from those they love who have mental health problems. It offers nine clear-cut strategies for implementing a plan to support them, including how to:assist a loved one in developing healthy self-esteemaccept mental illness as a fact of lifeidentify early warning signs that precede a more difficult phase of the illnesscreate a supportive network of family and friendsEach strategy is illustrated by inspiring stories of real people who have put the principles into practice, and is followed by key questions that ask to ponder their own situations. This is the to bringing order to chaos, providing a framework for reactions to the person who has a mental illness. It clarifies expectations and offers advice and encouragement.Tom Smith is the cofounder of the Karla Smith Foundation, which supports parents and loved ones of mentally ill people. He is author of several articles and books, including God on the Job and Alive in the Spirit."A unique blend of inspiration, compassion, and practical advice, every person coming to grips with the mental health problems of a loved one deserves to hear the message of hope, love, and faith infused within this book." Kim T. Mueser, Ph.D., co-author of The Family Intervention Guide to Mental Illness"Effective, practical strategies for families and friends of people who struggle with mental illness. Each chapter is punctuated by real stories of hope, as well as questions for discussion or personal reflection. A handy, useful toolkit." Herbert E Mandell, M.D., National Medical Director of Kids Peace"An invaluable resource. I wish my own loved ones had had it sooner, and I'll be sharing it with them now. Highly recommended." Marya Hornbacher, author of Madness: A Bipolar Life

  • Creators

  • Publisher

  • Release date

    July 30, 2009

  • Formats

    • Kindle Book

    • OverDrive Read

      • ISBN: 9781592858095

    • EPUB ebook

      • ISBN: 9781592858095
      • File size: 765 KB

  • Accessibility

    No publisher statement provided

  • Languages

    • English

  • Reviews

    • Library Journal

      Starred review from August 15, 2008
      In his poignant second book, Smith ("The Tattered Tapestry: A Family's Search for Peace with Bipolar Disorder") aims to help the millions of people affected by a friend or family member's mental illness. Through extensive research and his own experience with his daughter's mental illness and subsequent suicide, he suggests nine strategies for coping, including helping loved ones find and continue to take their medication, urging them to maintain a supportive relationship with a therapist, and recognizing the warning signs. Other strategies involve the caretaker's learning all about the loved one's disease, taking care of him/herself, and becoming involved in support networks. Smith provides empathetic information that has the potential to buoy people up. Highly recommended for all libraries.

      Copyright 2008 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Formats

  • Kindle Book
  • OverDrive Read
  • EPUB ebook

subjects

Languages

  • English

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