It’s hard, even painful, to watch how a person close to you is trying to deal with his psychological problems. The very fact that you are looking for information to help your loved one with their problems can already be supportive. This article will give you a wealth of information to help you learn when and how to intervene, how to talk, what to do if your loved one resists your help, and much more. Benefits of Support The availability of support is often a factor in determining whether a person seeks help. treatment. However, unfortunately, most people never seek professional help due to fear of being judged. Your support is to ensure that a person seeks help: it can reassure and inspire confidence, it can neutralize the effects of stigma (for example, a feeling of shame), it can provide insurance if something goes wrong, it can be life-saving in moments of crisis. For people who have a loved one is faced with psychological problems, often the question is not whether to help him, but when and how to do it. How do you know that you need help? Most likely, you know your loved one well. When you notice that his behavior or emotions have changed and that these changes are permanent, becoming patterned rather than just temporary, it may be time to pay attention. What changes might signal a problem? Although each disorder has its own set of signs and symptoms, there are common criteria that indicate there is a problem. Signs that someone needs help include: Frequent expressions of negative emotions (such as sadness or anger) for no apparent reason. The opposite situation : Emotional emasculation. Increased sensitivity to stress. Sudden loss of interest in people, places or activities previously enjoyed (can lead to social isolation). Frequent absences from school or work. Changes in eating or sleeping habits. An overwhelming feeling of hopelessness. Also , watch for signs such as difficulty concentrating, memory problems, mood swings, substance use or self-harm. Be aware that sometimes people try to hide signs of self-harming behavior with clothing. Some serious mental illnesses are associated with a psychotic state. Signs of psychosis include: Preoccupation with unusual or strange ideas or beliefs (delusions) Extreme suspicion of other people, a feeling that others are watching or trying to bully them (paranoia) Seeing images or sounds that other people cannot perceive (auditory) or visual hallucinations).Extreme isolationIt is worth intervening if you notice that any of these symptoms occur frequently or last more than two weeks. Often the most helpful thing you can do is start the conversation gently. How to Talk About Mental Health with a Loved One One of the most important elements in these conversations is compassion, which involves being open and willing to listen without judging or criticizing. Compassion helps you see your loved one as a whole person, not just their illness or symptoms. When you approach your loved one with compassion and patience, they are more likely to feel trust and a desire to open up. What you can do: choose a time that is most convenient when your loved one is not feeling tired or upset, find a comfortable, private place, use " “I” statements rather than “you” statements to prevent your loved one from feeling criticized or backed into a corner (“I’ve noticed that you’ve been spending a lot of time alone lately, and I was wondering if you’re okay.” " sounds more acceptable than "You don't seem like you want to spend time together anymore. Is something wrong?"), listen to the end, giving the person your full attention and without interrupting him.advice, ask questions, but do it in a supportive rather than blaming manner (“How do you feel after not going to work” sounds different than “Why didn’t you go to work”), stick to relevant questions in the conversation present, rather than bringing up problems from the past, say that this is normal, what is happening to him, to make it clear that he is not alone (you can briefly mention difficulties that you may have encountered yourself, or share statistics if you have them yes), speak directly and simply so as not to overload with unnecessary information, watch the reaction, and if your loved one seems upset or in resistance, it is better to end the conversation (to return to it another time), note that you are caring, but you want to support in a way that is perceived as caring. What not to do: devalue the experience (for example, by saying that it’s all in his head and he just needs to get all these thoughts out of his head...), but also don’t catastrophize or exaggerate the scale problems, potentially causing more anxiety and even panic, losing your temper (if you notice increased anxiety, anger or sadness, suggest taking a break so you can calm down), arguing, blaming your loved one or other people, comparing your loved one with others, say “should” or “shouldn’t” (for example, saying that he “should” seek help will be perceived as pressure). Try not to diagnose. There is no need to label or even try to figure out what is causing the problem; Instead, listen carefully to the experience and how the symptoms are affecting your loved one's life. You should not beg to seek help, much less threaten him with consequences if he refuses. If your loved one has difficulty articulating what is bothering him, you can suggest that he take an online screening test for various types of disorders (depression scale, anxiety scale). He may want to share his results with you or with a doctor if he decides to see one. How can you help? Deciding that you want to help is the simplest step. It is much more difficult to determine what you can do to help rather than alienate your loved one. The best place to start is to be willing to listen and find out what they need. You don't have to be an expert to help a loved one with a psychological problem or disorder; You don't have to know all the answers or have ready-made solutions, just be ready to listen without judging, criticizing or giving advice. As the process of seeking and receiving help continues, you may learn more about your loved one's symptoms and diagnosis. What kind of emotional support can you offer? Emotional support means being there, being open, and accepting of your loved one so that they don't feel too lonely or anxious. Here are some ways to provide emotional support: Remind that the disorder does not define the person as a person, and that treatment can help overcome symptoms. Remind that you are there and can be counted on. Remind that he has many strengths and good qualities. Stay calm, even if your loved one is not very stable. Stay in touch and continue to offer to spend time together (your loved one may refuse due to the desire to isolate, but it is important not to give up on your unobtrusive attempts to get closer) If it is a family member, you can offer to go to a family meeting therapy with you. What practical help can you offer? Help find a specialist (doctor or psychologist) and make an appointment. Prepare for the first meeting with a specialist and write down questions and topics to talk about. Attend the appointment together and take notes to discuss them together later. Help with transportation, such as driving to and from appointments with a specialist. Find local support and self-help groups. Offer help with)