Download People with Mental Illness in Disaster Shelters

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

2
Classifications
Psychotic Disorders (Schizophrenia)
 Mood Disorders (Depression, Bipolar
Disorder)
 Anxiety Disorders (PTSD)
 Personality Disorders (Antisocial)
 Substance Abuse Disorders (Alcohol
Dependence)

3
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.

4
Schizophrenia

Symptoms (cont’d)
Disorganized Speech
 Poverty of Speech
 Disorganized Behavior
 Abnormal Emotions
 Social Withdrawal
 Cognitive Problems: Concentration,
Attention, Problem Solving, Abstraction,
Motivation

5
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

6
Major Depression
Symptoms must last 2 weeks (often lasting
longer)
 Symptoms:
Sadness and/or inability to experience
pleasure
 Change in weight
 Change in sleep

7
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

8
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

9
Bi-Polar Disorder

Symptoms:


Fluctuation between mania and depression
Worker’s Role:

Depends on where person is in cycle
10
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

11
PTSD

Symptoms:
Nightmares
 Flashbacks
 Extreme Anxiety
 Feelings of Detachment
 Outbursts of Anger
 Hypervigilance

12
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

13
Resources

ADAMHS Board
216.241.3400
 www.adamhscc.org


Mobile Crisis Team (MHS, Inc.)
Available 24/7
 216.623.6888
 www.mhs-inc.org

14
Q&A
15