Factsheet 16: Parental mental illness: the problems for
children: for parents and teachers
About this leaflet
This is one in a series of leaflets for parents, teachers and
young people entitled Mental Health and Growing Up. The
aims of these leaflets are to provide practical, up-to-date
information about mental health problems (emotional, behavioural
and psychiatric disorders) that can affect children and young
people. This leaflet provides information on the problems
encountered by children who have a parent with a mental illness,
and gives some practical advice as to how to deal with these
problems.
Introduction
What is mental illness?
It is estimated that mental illness will affect 1 in 4 of us
at some time in our lives. When a person is mentally healthy they
feel good about themselves; they can do everyday things easily,
like going to school or work, and enjoying their hobbies and
friends. Even when things go wrong they can usually sort it out
themselves, although it may be hard for them. When someone becomes
mentally ill, they may find everyday things very difficult to do
and they may feel confused and upset a lot of the time. They may do
things that seem normal to them, but to other people watching they
may seem strange.
Children who have a parent with mental
illness
Many children will grow up with a parent who, at some point,
will have a mental illness. Most of these parents will have mild or
short-lived illnesses, and will usually be treated by their general
practitioner. A few children live with a parent who has a severe
mental illness such as
schizophrenia
or
bipolar affective
disorder.
Difficulties for children
Children often cope well when a parent is ill for a short
time. It is easier for them if they can understand why their parent
has become unwell. It is important that things are explained to
them, rather than being secretive about the problem. Children do
find it difficult to cope when the problem is more long term. For
many children in this situation, problems can arise if they:
- are separated again and again from a parent who needs to go
into hospital for treatment
- feel unsure of their relationship with the parent with a mental
illness
- are not being looked after properly
- are being hit or mistreated (this is more likely if the parent
suffers from alcohol or drug problems or has personality
difficulties)
- are having to look after a sick parent, or are taking care of
brothers and sisters
- are being teased or bullied by others
- hear unkind things being said about their sick parent.
Many children will experience feelings of upset, are frightened,
worried by or ashamed of their parent's illness or behaviour.
Problems that children may develop
Some children withdraw into themselves, become anxious and find it
difficult to concentrate on their school work. They may find it
very difficult to talk about their parent's illness or their
problems at home, which may stop them from getting help. Children
are often ashamed of their parent's illness and worry about
becoming ill themselves.
Some children are more at risk of developing emotional
problems themselves, particularly if they have:
- been abused or neglected
- seen a lot of arguments/violence between their parents
- a parent who misuses alcohol or drugs
- lived in poverty, poor housing or has had an unstable
life.
Where can I get help?
There are some steps that can be taken to try and help avoid
these problems and to make the child's life easier. For
example:
- having a reliable, consistent and caring parent or other adult
around
- being given information and explanation about their parent's
illness
- it is important for parents and teachers to be aware of the
possible stresses on the child with a sick parent, and to recognise
that a child's difficult behaviour may be a cry for help
- the general practitioner orsocial worker can help with support
and practical help for the family in caring for the child, and give
advice about social care if there are problems that are
harming the child's health or development
When a child or young person has behavioural problems that
interfere with their life and that don't seem to be improving, more
specialist help may be needed. The general practitioner will be
able to advise about local services and to refer a young person, if
necessary, to the local child and adolescent mental health service.
This service usually includes child and adolescent psychiatrists,
psychologists, psychotherapists, nurses and social workers.
A child may really value the chance to talk about their
parent's illness, and their fears, with a professional who is
familiar with these things. They may also need help in overcoming
their own emotional and behavioural problems.
Mental health professionals who are involved in the care of an
ill parent should ask about the needs of the children in the
household and whether any further help is required.
References
- Carr, A. (ed.) (2000) 'What Works with Children and
Adolescents?' - A Critical Review of Psychological Interventions
with Children, Adolescents and their Families. London:
Brunner-Routledge.
- Rutter, M. & Taylor, E. (eds) (2002) 'Child and
Adolescent Psychiatry' (4th edn). London: Blackwell.
- Scott, A., Shaw, M. & Joughin, C. (eds) (2001) 'Finding
the Evidence' - A Gateway to the Literature in Child and Adolescent
Mental Health (2nd edn). London: Gaskell.
Sources of further information
- Goepfert, M., Webster, J. & Seeman, M. (eds) (1996)
'Parental Psychiatric Disorder' - Distressed Parents and Their
Families. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Information
about the effects of mental illness on children, and what can be
done to help.
- The Manic Depression Fellowship supports people with a
diagnosis of manic depression and their families. Castle Works, 21
St George's Street, London SE1 6ES; tel. 08456 340 540 ; e-mail:
mdf@mdf.org.uk; www.mdf.org.uk.
- Rethink offers help to people with severe mental illness (not
only schizophrenia) and their carers. 22-25 Finsbury Square, London
EC2A 1DX; Tel: 0845 456 0455 ; Email: info@ethink.org; Website:
www.rethink.org.
Or you may like to look at these
websites:
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[August 2008] Royal College of Psychiatrists. This leaflet may be
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