Self-managernent for the psychiatric patient at home

Abstract

Psychiatric patients in home care require support and treatment, but they also need to learn skills and self-management that will assist them after home care ends. Mental illness can be compared with any long-term illness, such as diabetes or arthritis, in that patients should be prepared to cope with their illness through self-management. Mental illness should be considered no differently because patients also experience fluctuation in symptoms as a result of stress and the changing nature of their illnesses and will not always require intensive treatment.