Children's Needs – Parenting Capacity - Digital Education Resource ...

How mental illness, learning disability, substance misuse anddomestic violence affect parenting capacity 51Feeling controlled – feeling psychologically and/or physically controlled bysomeone else.Together these symptoms are called psychosis.Negative symptoms show a reduction or absence of usual mental functions andcan include: Loss of interest, energy and emotions. Social withdrawal, not bothering to get out of bed or go out of the house. Lack of motivation, not getting round to routine jobs like washing, cleaningor tidying.(Royal College of Psychiatrists 2008)There can be a great deal of variation in how schizophrenia affects the life ofthe sufferer and the children. Many schizophrenics find that their symptoms canbe controlled well by anti-psychotic drugs and good treatment. Often there is areduction in severity as people become older. In other cases, symptoms seem to beresistant to available drug regimes and treatment has a much less positive effect.Unipolar affective disorder (depression)Those who are depressed experience a pervasive and sustained change in mood,which leaves them feeling persistently sad, worthless and helpless. Depression isoften cyclical and in most cases will resolve or improve with time. Often there is noclear single cause. Without treatment the symptoms can last for weeks or even years,rendering life meaningless and hopeless for the sufferer.People who suffer from depression find it affects all aspects of their life: sleepis disturbed; appetite lost; thoughts are heavy, slow and gloomy; concentrationbecomes difficult and decisions impossible; actions slow down; and many sufferersare overwhelmed with feelings of exhaustion and worthlessness. Some are defeatedby torpor and even the most mundane aspect of living, such as getting out of bed,appears momentous. A slowing down is not a characteristic symptom for all thosewith depression; some become agitated and restless.Finally, depression can deprive the suffering parent of the capacity to care aboutthemselves or about those whom they love. Life for the depressed appears hopeless,and sufferers present a picture of misery and helpless worry.Bipolar affective disorder (manic-depression)The disorder is characterised by mood fluctuations that include mania, hypomania,depression, and mixed episodes. It is chronic and highly recurrent, and associatedwith significant distress and disability.(Berk et al. 2005, p.662)