SELECTING A PROFESSIONAL
The relationship of the client and his/her healthcare professional is extremely important. Ideally, the needs of other family members will also be considered during treatment. When looking for treatment for a family member, ask mental health professionals the following questions:
- What are your views on the cause of schizophrenia and affective disorders (unipolar and bipolar) and what treatment methods do you use?
- Will you consider and be willing to explore the possibility that the patient’s mental illness may be due to a medical condition that causes psychiatric disturbances?
- Will you notify and discuss with us the diagnosis, symptoms, medications, treatments, side effects and prognosis?
- Will you include the family as part of the treatment team?
- Will you communicate regularly with the family throughout the treatment process?
- Will you ask us, “How are things going?”
- Will you respect and understand our concerns?
- Will you answer our questions and help us understand when we don’t agree? Will you be willing to compromise?
- Will you return our calls in a timely manner?
- Will you educate us about mental illness so that we can understand what is happening to our family member?
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Will you consider the family and the patient’s finances when setting an appointment schedule?
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