According to the National Institute of Mental Health, almost ten percent of the U.S. population over the age of 18 has a mood disorder. Many of these 21 million Americans are raising a family. However, the ups and downs of living with a Mood Disordered Person take quite a toll on an individual, and on a family. The home of a Mood Disordered person often feels unsafe and unpredictable, especially for children. There are, however, some simple solutions a family can implement to make life substantially smoother. These solutions can be encapsulated in a Family Maintenance Plan.
What is a Family Maintenance Plan:
A Family Maintenance Plan is a family contract, but geared toward the family affected by a Mood Disorder. Although the caretaking adults will take the lead in creating the plan, it is important that all family members have a part in deciding what is to be included and how the plan will be implemented. By incorporating everyone, each member of the family gains a sense of safety, accountability, and ownership of the process.
There are several considerations when developing a Family Maintenance Plan.
Considerations When Creating a Family Maintenance:
- As a family, acknowledge that the Mood Disorder is a family challenge, and not just something that affects (or blames) one member of the family.
- Make a pledge, as a family, to be proactive not reactive in managing the Mood Disorder.
- The Mood Disordered member needs to contract to take medication everyday as prescribed, to keep all doctor appointments, and to communicate to another adult in the family right away if the medication doesn’t seem to be working well.
- Parents should create a Parenting Plan complete with a list of rules and predetermined consequences. In doing so, consequences are agreed upon in advance and not subject to mood swings.
- Families should include both date nights and family nights in their plan. This will foster closeness and unity.
- As a family, create a list of dreams together and make plans to accomplish those dreams.
- Grant each member of the family the full right to appropriately express feelings and opinions without reprisal. This expression should be communicated in a way that is both assertive and respectful (e.g. use “I statements” rather than “you statements”).
- Finally, agree to seek structure and balance in your home (and make a plan for such). Some areas to include are:
- Eating healthy
- Enjoying regular physical activity
- Following a family chore and homework schedule
- Eliminating household clutter
- Individual recreation time
Angela Ann Holloway - Angela Holloway is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She lives in Southern California and has a private practice in Rancho ...
