Though many who struggle with mental health disorders like depression or anxiety are willing to seek mental health care on their own, there are a number of disorders that are characterized by symptoms that create an obstacle to treatment.

Whenever your loved one is struggling with an issue that is (1) causing them to experience negative consequences in their life, (2) harming them and/ or others, and (3) treatable through professional medical treatment, an intervention can be effective if he or she is unwilling to voluntarily choose treatment.

Mental Illness Basics

Although not all mental illnesses produce symptoms that are combative in nature, all mental illnesses share the need for treatment. And any kind of mental illness can leave the person struggling with the illusion that she doesn’t need treatment. Depression, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder and addiction can all result in a person who, for whatever the reason, doesn’t want or think they need treatment.

In these cases, helping your loved one realize she has a problem and encouraging her to get help is all it takes for the journey to wellness to begin. But for other types of mental illnesses, it’s harder to get the message across because of the nature of the illness.

Some of these disorders may include:
  • Bipolar disorder1
  • Mania
  • Personality disorders2
  • Certain mood disorders3

If your loved one is living with one of these debilitating mental health conditions and has not followed through on getting treatment, an intervention may be the next step for your family. Call 706-914-2327 now for more information.

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Emphasizing the Existence of a Disorder

Too often, the nature of the mental health disorder is such that the person believes that their delusions and paranoia are based in fact. Anyone who questions their assertions seems part of a conspiracy against them. This can be especially problematic when staging an intervention. The entire event is focused on helping the person realize that she has a problem and needs immediate treatment, but the illness will not let her see that.

When dealing with a loved one struggling with mental illness that requires intervention, it’s best to enlist the help of a professional interventionist.

Professional interventionists are:

  • Knowledgeable in the specific disorder that your loved one is facing (e.g., schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, etc.)
  • Experienced in addressing the issue of paranoia in an intervention context
  • Prepared to help participants when they are accused of ill intent by the focus of the intervention
  • Able to run the intervention smoothly even if the person at its center is accusatory of those involved or believes that participants are not positively motivated4

 

Managing Erratic Behavior

When someone’s behavior and reactions are ruled by a mental health disorder that is untreated, a situation that causes stress or conflict for them – like an intervention – can result in unexpected behaviors.
Depending upon the nature of the disorder and the symptoms they exhibit, this can include:

  • Muscle twitches or jumpy movements
  • Pacing or an inability to remain still
  • An inability to talk or answer questions and communicate
  • Aggression or defensive postures or behaviors
  • Accusations or attempts to deflect or change the subject

In some extreme cases, the person may even become violent. It is important to have a professional interventionist assist you in planning the event and be present during the intervention to handle challenging issues as they arise.

Addressing Your Loved One’s Individual Needs

No one knows your family member, their behaviors, and the nature of their disorder better than you do. Your active participation in an intervention is crucial, and success depends on your ability to take an active role. However, taking advantage of the services of a professional interventionist can significantly increase your chances of guiding your loved one into treatment.

Learn more about what a professional interventionist can do for you and your loved one today when you contact us at 706-914-2327. Our admissions coordinators are available 24 hours a day to take your call.


Sources

1 Bipolar Disorder.” National Institute of Mental Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Oct. 2018.

2 Personality Disorders.” MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 30 Apr. 2018.

3Mood Disorders.” MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 8 Aug. 2018.

4 What Is an Intervention? Learn About Intervention.” AIS, Oct. 2018.