Description: A substantial portion of individuals with mental illness do not get the help they need. Families struggle to understand why, especially when their loved one’s disorder negatively impacts their lives. They may wrongfully conclude the person is willfully choosing to be impaired, which can lead families to react in counterproductive ways. In this presentation, we will introduce a concept called recovery avoidance. The presenters will explain why the natural family response to recovery avoidance doesn’t work and often makes things worse, landing everyone involved into what they call the family trap. The presentation will describe how family members can enhance their emotional well-being, improve the quality of their interactions with the recovery avoider, and create an environment that promotes recovery.

Presenter:

C. Alec Pollard, Ph.D.

Dr. Pollard is the Founding Director of the Center for OCD and Anxiety-Related Disorders at Saint Louis Behavioral Medicine Institute and Professor Emeritus of Family and Community Medicine at Saint Louis University. He is on the Scientific and Clinical Advisory Board of the International OCD Foundation and is Chair of the organization’s Training Committee. He is a former Chair of the Clinical Advisory Board of the Anxiety and Depression Association of America. He serves as a reviewer for several professional journals and conference program committees. Dr. Pollard has authored over 100 publications, including the recently published book, When a Loved One Won’t Seek Mental Health Treatment: How to Promote Recovery and Reclaim Your Family’s Well-Being.