What do you do if you find out someone you know has a mental illness?
Today is World Mental Health Day so as a full time carer of Mrs Alienbutt who has bipolar and myself who flirts with depression (We're past our third date now.) I thought I'd give a bit of advice on how to treat people you know who suffer from these dreadfull illnesses.
Now first is what not to do.
Don't stand with your friends talking and looking over at them as that will fuel their paranoia and make them not want to go out into the world. What you are doing is feeding their illness and making it worse.
Instead walk over and talk to them, ask them how they are, they'll more than likely lie to you and say they're fine. Many people who suffer from mental health problems become great actors in order to hide how bad they are really feeling, to the outside world they are doing well while inside they are planning how they will kill themselves as they walk around. Me and Mrs Alienbutt have talked many times over the years she has been sick and that one is just one of her confessions.
If you meet them on the school run then chat about the kids, the weather, anything. Just keep it the usual chat you have with anyone else.
By taking a few minutes out to chat to them you can help them feel a little better.
Also don't roll out the "You should meditate, exercise to help you feel better' speech, it doesn't help until they are in the right place mentally to think about doing that. I know you're trying to be supportive but it doesn't help, it's probably took their entire energy just to do the school run or get down to the shop.
If you find out what illness they suffer from then spend a little time searching youtube videos posted by people who also suffer from the same illness, while every case shows in different ways it could help you understand a little more what they go through.
Finally don't be overbearing, often when people are down they don't want to be around people so a hi and a quick chat in the playground is one thing, turning up unannounced on their doorstep all the time for a coffee could set them on edge. It's not easy but with a little thought and understanding you could help them more than you realise just by stopping for a minute to say hello.
As for the picture, that's me and Mrs Alienbutt.
An excellent post, @alienbutt! Thanks for showing the way.
...and can I add? Don't turn your back on them and make them feel unacceptable or not good enough the way they are.
I'm glad you're speaking out and giving tips on what to do and what not to do if you love something, or know someone who has a brain disorder - that's what it is really.
Have you ever heard of BP Magazine? It's an online magazine. It's helpful for living with someone suffering with Bipolar Disorder.
Not heard of it but will check it out, thanks.
Great post. People are just people. Some are just a little different than others. Good post. 🐓🐓
You have a mental illness if something’s wrong with your brain that’s having an impact on you.
Very good advice that I really wish people would listen to and take the time to understand. Thank you for your honest and meaningful posts about mental illness that help to bring about clarity and dispel myths of mental illness - it affects more people than we know, including friends and family. And that is a lovely photo!
This is a very difficult problem. My mother suffered from manic-depressive psychosis. But at that time in our country it was unseemly to admit this and talk about it. I tried to help her as best I could, but conversations in this help a little. She's been gone for ten years. I remember everything and still it hurts me that I could not help her.
It is really difficult to care for someone who is ill like this, you don't get any help in learning how to help them. I took to the internet and the local library to learn what i could but it's all learning from experience.
Sometimes all you can do is your best to help.
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The other side of metal illness is Genius minds trapped in dream ^^
yes. I will find them and send him an expert doctor in mental recovery. as you say it @alienbutt
The difference between what we do and what we are capable of doing would suffice to solve most of the world's problems.
- Mahatma Gandhi