Tips from ODSW February 2016: Caregiver's Guide to Psychosis | Página 28

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TAKE CARE OF YOUR BODY

Make time to exercise, eat healthy foods,
stay hydrated, and get enough sleep. In
addition, re-evaluate your own health. The
stress of caregiving can lead some people to
develop or increase unhealthy habits, such
as smoking, drinking too much alcohol etc.
If you cannot make healthy changes on
your own, seek professional help.

When to seek professional help
It is important for caregivers to pay close attention to their emotional
and mental health. If you are having trouble coping with your emotions,
talk to your caseworker.
Keep in mind that taking care of your emotional health and physical
needs makes you a more effective caregiver, which ultimately contributes
to the recovery of the person who is ill. J

RESPONDING TO CRISIS
What is a crisis?The most severe kinds of crisis related to psychosis are
those in which someone’s safety is threatened.
For example:
• Destructive behaviour
• Suicide attempts
• Threats of hurting oneself or others
• Severe side effects to medication

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