V. How Mental Illness Affects the Family

Most family members will find it no surprise to discover that the person with mental illness is not the only one affected by it. Each family, and each different family member, may be affected in different ways. There is no right or wrong way to react to having a relative with a mental illness. But it can be helpful to understand how you might be affected and to learn that the things you undergo as an individual or as a family are normal.