Insight: Sept 6

On this week’s Insight Jenny Brockie hears from family members and those who suffer with severe mental illness about how it is managed within their family.

For many families, watching a loved-one battle a severe mental illness can be a distressing experience, often involving daily ethical decisions about how best to help them.

How do you manage getting treatment? How does it affect the family dynamic? What if the person refuses to take their medication or accept that they have a mental illness?

John has to make such decisions when his wife, Luana, suffers a psychotic episode.

Pat’s two sons have been diagnosed with schizophrenia; one voluntarily accepts treatment, but the other does not.

Madeleine and Emma-Leigh have been caring for their mother since they were young, when she struggles with her bipolar.

What impact does the illness have on a family, and how can they be sure they’re making the right choices for their loved ones and for themselves?

Guests include:

Luana, (35) VIC – Luana’s first episode of psychosis was in 2009 and most recently in 2012. She received involuntary treatment in her community through a community treatment order (CTO). Luana is happy about her treatment and supports involuntary treatment. She also has an uncle who has been diagnosed with schizophrenia. Luana’s uncle refuses treatment and she does not want to end up like him. She has two kids with her husband, John (both under five).

Peta, (63) VIC – Peta is Luana’s mum. She looked after her granddaughter while Luana was in hospital undergoing treatment. She’s on call for Luana if she needs reassurance due to paranoia and anxiety. Peta’s brother also battles with schizophrenia.

Pat, (68) SA – Pat and her husband, Keith, have set up their two sons, both of whom have schizophrenia, in a separate house as they were unable live with them anymore. Both of Pat’s sons are in their 40s. Her son, Peter can only be treated involuntarily, while Benny goes willingly. Pat describes the agony of having to call the police when Peter takes a turn. She says she usually calls the ambulance first, but when they run through the questions of whether Peter will go to hospital willingly. Pat says Peter has never harmed anyone, but he does resist arrest. After the last involuntary admission she says she will never call the police again as she claims they were quite rough with Peter and it was traumatic for her to see.

Madeline, (17) VIC – Madeline is youngest of two daughters of Kylie. Kylie is a single mum and battles with Bipolar disorder. Madeline says that she has been a carer for her mum, with her sister Emma-Leigh, since she was five. Madeline’s mother takes her medication voluntarily however has to be involuntarily admitted to hospital when she takes a turn, usually once a year in winter.

Mick, (48) ACT – Mick and his wife, Penny have been married for five years after meeting on a dating website. Mick suffers with Bipolar disorder and says his first marriage fell apart because of his denial of his condition and inability to get proper treatment. Mick is now managing quite well and his wife is both his wife and carer. However, medication and treatment doesn’t work for his symptoms and the only option he hasn’t fully explored is electric shock therapy. Mick did complete five rounds of it in the past but found it to be an incredibly humiliating procedure. As Penny has power of attorney, ECT is something Mick’s wife could schedule without his approval.

Tuesdays at 8.30pm on SBS.