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Working with Mental Illness in an Emergency Shelter

Working with Mental Illness in an Emergency Shelter. Presented by LaTonya Murray. What is Mental Illness?. Biologically-based brain disorders Responsive to medical treatment Symptoms can come and go Often difficult to diagnose and treat correctly. Classifications.

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Working with Mental Illness in an Emergency Shelter

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  1. Working with Mental Illness in an Emergency Shelter Presented by LaTonya Murray

  2. What is Mental Illness? • Biologically-based brain disorders • Responsive to medical treatment • Symptoms can come and go • Often difficult to diagnose and treat correctly

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

  4. 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.

  5. Schizophrenia • Symptoms (cont’d) • Disorganized Speech • Poverty of Speech • Disorganized Behavior • Abnormal Emotions • Social Withdrawal • Cognitive Problems: Concentration, Attention, Problem Solving, Abstraction, Motivation

  6. Worker’s 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

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

  8. Major Depression • Symptoms (cont’d) • Feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt • Lessened ability to think or concentrate • Indecisiveness • Hopelessness • Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide

  9. Worker’s Role • Alert appropriate staff, if available • Suicide prevention • Don’t try to “cheer up” • Concrete direction and encouragement • Offer support and realistic hope

  10. Bi-Polar Disorder • Symptoms: • Fluctuation between mania and depression • Worker’s Role: • Depends on where person is in cycle

  11. 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

  12. PTSD • Symptoms: • Nightmares • Flashbacks • Extreme Anxiety • Feelings of Detachment • Outbursts of Anger • Hypervigilance

  13. Worker’s 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

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

  15. Q & A

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