Expert: Jurriaan Plesman, Nutritional Psychotherapist - 10/10/2007

Question
QUESTION: I need some advise. My 50yr. old aunt (paternal side) has a severe mental disorder. She has not been diagnosed but she is paranoid, delusional, acts very erratic, stays up all night, has shaved her head multiple times, etc... She lives with my paternal grandparents and my grandmother is in denial or tries to pretend there is nothing wrong.(just so we are clear my parents live on the same property in another house)Last night she went too far and was talking to my 6yr old daughter and was telling her that my uncle (maternal) sneaks in her room at night and sticks sewing needles in her back while she is sleeping.My daughter luckily, is very smart and told me she did not believe her and knows she is ill.

Ok, so here is my dilemma, I have not approached my grandmother and discussed my aunts illness and have just stayed out of it. Now my aunt has affeted my daughter and as a parent I believe it is time for me to take some sort of action. I will not allow my daughter there while my aunt is there. I also, need to know what are the rights of other family member when it comes to a mentally ill person, can we have her committed if necessary, How can you get someone mentally ill help if they dont believe they are ill. How can I encourage my grandmother who is in denial to seek help. What happens after my grandparents die and there is only my parents to take care of her (she strongly believes my parents are evil and are out to get her) I am so sorry for this very long question...This is something that has been on going for 10+ years and finally I feel it is necessary to do SOMETHING.

ANSWER: Dear jessica,

You are right in deciding to take action. The best is to see a psychiatrist about this or some other doctor.

I am sorry I cannot be of much help from a distance.

_______________________________________________
Jurriaan Plesman BA (Psych) Post Grad Dip Clin Nutr
Editor of
The Hypoglycemic Health Association of Australia.
www.hypoglycemia.asn.au
Author of "Getting off the Hook"
Freely available at Google Book Search


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: So...I just call a psychiatrist regarding my aunt? you don't have any organization you can refer me to? Helpful suggestions on how to talk to people in denial. Suggestions on how to try and get someone help that doesn't think there is a problem.

This is the problem with the whole psychiatric industry and laws. There is virtually no help for family members.

It is so screwed up that my aunt, who is completely unstable, was recently hired to drive a SCHOOL BUS. and my families hands are tied. So we just have to wait for something terrible to happen it seems.

Forgive my frustration but seriously I cant find any help or any answers.

Answer
HI jessica,
I fully agree with you. The mental health industry is in a mess. It also depends in which country you are. Your best bet is to see a psychiatrist and get some record that you have seen him/her. If something happens you can show that you have done your best.

Generally it is difficult to help anybody who is in denial about their mental health.

_______________________________________________
Jurriaan Plesman BA (Psych) Post Grad Dip Clin Nutr
Editor of
The Hypoglycemic Health Association of Australia.
www.hypoglycemia.asn.au
Author of "Getting off the Hook"
Freely available at Google Book Search