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Coping and support

By Mayo Clinic staff

Coping with a mental illness can be challenging. Talk to your doctor or therapist about improving your coping skills, and consider these tips:

  • Learn about your mental illness. Include your family, too — this can help the people who care about you understand what you're going through and learn how they can help. Your doctor or therapist may provide information directly or may recommend classes, books or websites.
  • Join a support group. Connecting with others facing similar challenges can help you cope. Support groups for mental illness are available in many communities and online. One good place to start is the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
  • Stay connected with friends and family. Try to participate in social activities, and get together with family or friends regularly. Ask for help when you need it, and be upfront with your loved ones about how you're doing.
  • Keep a journal. Keeping track of your personal life can help you and your mental health provider identify what triggers or improves your symptoms. It's also a healthy way to explore and express pain, anger, fear and other emotions.
Prevention Lifestyle and home remedies
References
  1. Psychotherapies. National Institute of Mental Health. http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/psychotherapies/index.shtml. Accessed July 24, 2012.
  2. Mental illness and the family: Recognizing warning signs and how to cope. Mental Health America. http://www.nmha.org/go/information/get-info/mi-and-the-family/recognizing-warning-signs-and-how-to-cope. Accessed July 23, 2012.
  3. Introduction. In: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM-IV-TR. 4th ed. Arlington, Va.: American Psychiatric Association; 2000. http://www.psychiatryonline.com. Accessed June 13, 2012.
  4. Brain stimulation therapies. National Institute of Mental Health. http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/brain-stimulation-therapies/brain-stimulation-therapies.shtml. Accessed July 24, 2012.
  5. Mental health medications. National Institute of Mental Health. http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/mental-health-medications/index.shtml. Accessed July 24, 2012.
  6. Mind/body connection: How your emotions affect your health. American Academy of Family Physicians. http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/healthy/mental/782.printerview.html. Accessed July 23, 2012.
  7. Mental illness surveillance among U.S. adults. Centers for Disease Control. http://www.cdc.gov/mentalhealthsurveillance/fact_sheet.html. Accessed July 23, 2012.
  8. Treatment approaches for drug addiction. National Institute on Drug Abuse. http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/treatment-approaches-drug-addiction. Accessed July 24, 2012.
  9. Understanding hospitalization for mental health. Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance. http://www.dbsalliance.org/site/Search?query=hospitalization&inc=10&x=0&y=0Accessed July 24, 2012.
  10. Salgado MF, et al. Family history of serious mental illness in bipolar I and bipolar II patients of the Mayo Bipolar Biobank. Biological Psychiatry. 2012;71:153S.
  11. Mental illness: Taking care of yourself. American Family Physician. 2008;78:363.
  12. Gold MS, et al. Psychosocial treatment of alcohol abuse and dependence. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed June 2, 2012.
  13. Rackley S, et al. Depression in medically ill patients. Psychiatric Clinics of North America. 2012;35:231.
  14. Depression. National Institute of Mental Health. http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/depression/index.shtml. Accessed July 23, 2012.
  15. Sadock BJ, et al. Kaplan & Sadock's Comprehensive Textbook of Psychiatry. 9th ed. Philadephia, Pa.: Wolters Kluwer Health Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2009. http://ovidsp.ovid.com/ovidweb.cgi?T=JS&CSC=Y&NEWS=N&PAGE=booktext&D=books2&AN=01412563/9th_Edition/5&XPATH=/OVIDBOOK%5b1%5d/METADATA%5b1%5d/TBY%5b1%5d/EDITORS%5b1%5d. Accessed July 24, 2012.
  16. Li X, et al. Review of pharmacological treatment in mood disorders and future directions for drug development. Neuropsychopharmacology. 2012;37:77.
  17. McDowell AK, et al. Practical suicide-risk management for the busy primary care physician. Mayo Clinic Proceedings. 2011;86:792.
  18. Chamberlain AM, et al. Associations of preexisting depression and anxiety with hospitalization in patients with cardiovascular disease. Mayo Clinic Proceedings. 2011;86:1056.
  19. Index. In: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM-IV-TR. 4th ed. Arlington, Va.: American Psychiatric Association; 2000. http://www.psychiatryonline.com. Accessed June 13, 2012.
  20. Understanding suicide: Fact sheet 2012. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/ViolencePrevention/pub/Suicide_factsheet.html. Accessed July 23, 2012.
  21. What is mental illness: Mental illness facts. National Alliance on Mental Illness. http://www.nami.org/template.cfm?section=about_mental_illness. Accessed July 23, 2012.
  22. Schreiber J, et al. Suicidal ideation and behavior in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed March 13, 2012.
  23. Kung S (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic Rochester, Minn. Aug. 7, 2012.
  24. Adjustment disorders. In: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM-IV-TR. 4th ed. Arlington, Va.: American Psychiatric Association; 2000. http://www.psychiatryonline.com. Accessed Aug. 27, 2012.
DS01104 Sept. 15, 2012

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