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
