Working with Mental Illness in an Emergency Shelter

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Working with Mental Illness in an Emergency
Shelter

• Presented by LaTonya Murray

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What is Mental Illness?

• Biologically-based brain disorders
• Responsive to medical treatment
• Symptoms can come and go
• Often difficult to diagnose and treat correctly

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Classifications

• Psychotic Disorders (Schizophrenia)
• Mood Disorders (Depression, Bipolar Disorder)
• Anxiety Disorders (PTSD)
• Personality Disorders (Antisocial)
• Substance Abuse Disorders (Alcohol Dependence)

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Schizophrenia

• Symptoms
• Hallucinations Auditory (hearing voices) are the
  most common
• Delusions Fixed false beliefs (i.e., paranoia or
  grandiosity)
• Hallucinations and delusions are VERY real to the
  person experiencing them and this is often
  reflected in behavior.

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Schizophrenia

• Symptoms (contd)
• Disorganized Speech
• Poverty of Speech
• Disorganized Behavior
• Abnormal Emotions
• Social Withdrawal
• Cognitive Problems Concentration, Attention,
  Problem Solving, Abstraction, Motivation

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Workers Role

• Accept that the psychotic beliefs are real
• Provide support with concrete needs
• Empathize with feelings
• Exhibit patience with disorganized behaviors
• May have to separate to decrease anxiety

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Major Depression

• Symptoms must last 2 weeks (often lasting longer)
• Symptoms
• Sadness and/or inability to experience pleasure
• Change in weight
• Change in sleep

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Major Depression

• Symptoms (contd)
• Feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt
• Lessened ability to think or concentrate
• Indecisiveness
• Hopelessness
• Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide

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Workers Role

• Alert appropriate staff, if available
• Suicide prevention
• Dont try to cheer up
• Concrete direction and encouragement
• Offer support and realistic hope

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Bi-Polar Disorder

• Symptoms
• Fluctuation between mania and depression
• Workers Role
• Depends on where person is in cycle

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Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

• A cluster of symptoms that develop as a response
  to extreme trauma
• Examples of Traumas
• Sexual and Physical Abuse
• Domestic Violence
• Homelessness
• Death of a Loved One
• Natural Disaster

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PTSD

• Symptoms
• Nightmares
• Flashbacks
• Extreme Anxiety
• Feelings of Detachment
• Outbursts of Anger
• Hypervigilance

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Workers Role

• Alert appropriate staff, if available
• Listen with empathy, but do not dig
• Do not minimize feelings
• Understand that trauma survivors may seek ways to
  feel in control-including blaming others
• Seek support

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Resources

• ADAMHS Board
• 216.241.3400
• www.adamhscc.org
• Mobile Crisis Team (MHS, Inc.)
• Available 24/7
• 216.623.6888
• www.mhs-inc.org

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