When Your Loved One Has a Mental Illness

Issues that stem from mental illnesses are always in the news all over the world. From time to time we get to hear about young people committing suicide or criminal offences. There are also cases of the mentally ill who for the reason of insanity do not have the ability to appear in court for criminal offences that otherwise should necessitate court proceedings and sanctions. Due to the experience of some catastrophe in life - perhaps a whole lot of financial investment gone down the drain, the failure of a major examination in the academic pursuits by young adults or the complications of hard drug use - a lot of people succumb to a mental breakdown. The family members are then thrown into confusion and they have challenges coping with the disaster. Traditionally we have our preconceived beliefs about mental illness which range from causation by evil spirits or bewitchment to drunkenness or drug abuse. The book provides information regarding the causes and management of mental disorders and the necessary steps the family needs to take when in distress of caring for the mentally ill. The good news is that the outlook for persons with mental illness is much better today compared to 20 - 30 years ago because technological advancements have been able to complement the care and management of the mentally ill. Over the years there have been improvements in all areas of research regarding the causes, treatment and prevention of mental illnesses.

Dr. Mrs. Olabisi Ihenyen is a consultant psychiatrist and past medical director of the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria. She is a fellow of the West African College of physicians, a Hubert Humphrey fellow and an alumnus of Johns Hopkins University, Maryland, USA. She has been an associate lecturer in mental health at the University of Benin, the Ambrose Ali University Ekpoma and Igbinedion University Okada, all in Nigeria.