Can mental illness affect the ability of carers to work and study?
Unfortunately the answer is yes. People who are caring for someone who has a mental illness may be tired, fearful, irritable and lacking in concentration if they are experiencing lack of sleep and stress due to their loved one vacuuming the house in the middle of the night with all the house lights on and the stereo on full blast (some symptoms of mania). People who know that they can be honest with their work colleagues and teachers about what is happening in their life will be much better off. Workplace adjustments may need to be made for a short while during the acute stage of the illness. Of course there is the terrifying issue that some people face of their loved one being suicidal, self harming or may have in fact taken their own lives. This person needs support, understanding, compassion and to know that they should not be embarrassed or ashamed of what is happening to them and their loved one. Mental illness is a physical illness which is a chemical imbalance of the brain. The
