Hey guys, so a while ago I shared a MyTake about Living with a Mental Illness
I have noticed that people don't really know how to support someone suffering from the above said.
Friends and family who are supportive can play an important role in the mental health recovery process. It is also important to remember that mental health disorders are just as real as physical illnesses and that a person cannot just “snap out of it.” So I have gathered some tips that can help, some I got from the internet and some are from personal experience.
Educate yourself about the illness
Educating yourself about your loved one’s illness is really the foundation of support. Not knowing how the illness functions can create misconceptions and prevent families from giving their loved ones effective help. For instance, without education, it’s hard for people to grasp and appreciate the severity of the symptoms.
Families must “understand that the [individual’s] thoughts and actions are not under their control
Have realistic expectations
Your expectations can impact your loved one’s recovery, too. Families may not realize that “every time the person has a psychotic episode, more and more neurological damage” occurs. Using your own experience can be helpful. It’s important to have realistic expectations and to encourage your loved one to have them, too.
Ultimately you’ll know a whole lot more than any professional will.
Avoid being judgmental
Keeping an open mind may help to create a safe environment for your friend which may mean they are more likely to relax and enjoy themselves.
Talk about what they find helpful
Try asking what helps them when things are tough. By talking openly, you are letting the person know your love and support for them.
Respect their limits
There may be times when they would say they are not able to do something because of their mental health problem. Respect this and don’t put extra pressure on them.
Stay in touch
Let them know you’re there. Don’t avoid them. Even texts or emails if they’re not up for visits to stay in touch can make quite a difference to them.
This can be difficult when you are not getting much back but can really help them in the long run.
Be patient
They will have good days and they will have bad days. Accept this and don’t try to “cure” them.
And also...Look after yourself
Sometimes when we’re helping someone we forget to look after ourselves. Take care of your own needs as well as helping them. Make sure that you don’t give up things you enjoy, and if you’re feeling tired or overwhelmed take some time out and relax.
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