Looking From the Inside Out
Abstract
Journal of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association Professional Progress Notes Looking From the Inside Out Thomas J. McGarry, RN, C, BSN They looked to be in their 70s. Frustration and helplessness was apparent in every crease on their faces and in their weary, slouched posture. As they talked with the treatment team, they con- fessed hopelessness with the responsibility associated with 4 decades of providing care to their mentally ill son. Asked for input Thomas J. McGarry, RN, C, BSN, is the system coordinator at Healthcare for Homeless Veterans. Reprint requests: Thomas J. McGarry, RN, C, BSN, Healthcare for Homeless Veterans, 1002 NW 23rd Ave., Gainesville, FL 32609. J Am Psychiatr Nurses Assoc (2000). 6, 158-159. Copyright 2000 by the American Psychiatric Nurses Association. 1078-3903/2000/$12.00 + 0 66/1/109880 doi:10.1067/mpn.2000.109880 into the discharge plan, they plead- ed, "Visits with the doctor or thera- pist and medications are not enough. We need more support for the day to day problems we are fac- ing." Other families of the mentally ill have expressed similar needs for validation of their experience and acknowledgement of the effect the illness has on them. Larsen (1998) reported chronic fatigue, anger, depression, stress, family conflicts, and