Explaining Mental Health Treatment to Your Family
By Bryan Walker, PMHNP-BC
It can always be challenging to share with your family and loved ones about your mental health. There can be so many different opinions and stigma surrounding mental illness that you may not be comfortable sharing this information. Only you can decide who it is safe to share information regarding your mental health and your treatment.
How to Decide to Talk about Mental Health Treatment
If you do decide to share about your mental health treatment with your family, consider the following:
- Do they acknowledge that mental health issues are real? Or are they skeptical and will deny the existence of mental health issues you or others are facing?
- Will the person be supportive as you pursue treatment?
- If you ask for the information not to be shared with others, will they honor your request?
- Finally, why do you want to share the information?
After deciding to share the information, determine what you want to share and what questions you are comfortable answering and not answering. Being prepared with how you will answer their questions can put you more at ease going into this conversation.
Asking them if they have noticed your emotional behaviors can be a good lead into the discussion. This provides a springboard for clarifying information, telling them the truth and reassuring them of how you are doing.
Once you feel assured you will receive support, you can share with them the information you are comfortable sharing. Some examples of how to navigate the conversation include:
- I had been feeling….
- This was causing me distress because….
- I had thoughts of hurting/killing myself….
- I went to see a psychiatric provider/therapist whom I have been working with to address what I have been experiencing.
- They prescribed me medication….
- They have been helping me understand my feelings….
Do’s & Don’ts of Sharing Your Experience with Treatment
Sharing can feel cathartic, but it’s good to move forward with a bit of caution:
- Listening to your loved ones’ stories can be helpful, but please don’t let them tell you why or why you should not be in counseling. These are your needs and choices. Often, loved ones fear that they will be made out to be the “bad guy” in your therapy sessions.
- Don’t let them tell you if you should or should not be taking medication. This is a choice you and your doctor make and with that, don’t let them tell you if you are on the right or wrong medication. Realize that what they share may be based on what someone else told them or what they read about. Your mental health provider has considered your unique situation, needs and preferences when they prescribe medications to you. Trust them because their only goal is for you to be the best version of you possible.
- Do consider concerns they may express and observations they make about how you are responding to the medication. Then, share these with your provider. Potentially, this can help your provider know if you are having side effects from the medication.
Positives of Sharing Your Treatment Experience with Your Family
Some of the positive outcomes of sharing with your family that you are seeking mental health treatment could be that they participate in therapy with you. Another benefit is helping them become more acquainted with treatment resources, such as NAMI.org, to connect with online support groups. Another positive that comes out of sharing your treatment journey is that they can help you follow your treatment plan.
Finally, when you realize that your family and loved ones can be your greatest support and ally as you pursue treatment, this allows you to have a safe place to talk as well as helps you stay safe if you have thoughts of harming yourself.
Book an appointment today to start your journey toward better mental health with our expert team of healthcare professionals.
Bryan Walker
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
Bryan Walker is an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) and is board-certified in psychiatry and mental health (PMHNP-BC). As an advanced practice nurse, Bryan is committed to providing holistic, patient-centered, and evidenced-based care. He believes strongly in an integrated model of care and works in partnership with clients, other healthcare providers, and psychotherapists to achieve the best outcomes. Bryan keeps up with the latest research by attending conferences and improving psychotherapy skills with continued training. He completed his MSN at Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond, Kentucky. Bryan has also been a registered nurse since 1984 and has worked in a wide variety of health care settings (emergency, trauma, intensive care, home health, telephone triage, rehabilitation, hospice and palliative care, psychiatry). His diverse background augments his practice of psychiatry and mental health care. Prior to entering private practice, Bryan worked full time at Cedar Crest Hospital and Residential Treatment Center. As a PMHNP, Bryan can assess, diagnose, and treat patients with psychiatric disorders including the prescription of medications and administration of psychotherapy. PMHNP’s provide a full range of psychiatric and mental health services.
