What to do if a loved one suffers from a mental disorder?

The first step is to realize that this could have happened to everyone.

According to the World Health Organization, one or another mental disorder affects 1 in 4 people in their life, and almost all of us experience emotional problems. If we look at the “What diseases do we have?” Infographic, produced by the Health Statistics Division of the Institute of Hygiene, we immediately see that mental and behavioral disorders are among the most common diseases. We deal with them more often than, for example, with diabetes or neoplasms. So when you learn that a loved one may be suffering from a mental disorder, it is very important to start the conversation with the understanding that it could have happened to anyone. This will encourage you to speak up, not to feel “different,” to open up and, most importantly, to ask for help.

The goal is to get professional help.

The first news that your loved one is experiencing health problems is causing many feelings, often a crisis in the whole family (one sick person affects the well-being and lives of an average of seven people). The initial and completely natural reaction is usually shock and then denial (“tired, rested, asleep, and everything will be fine”). For all these reasons, we often delay contacting specialists and there is still a fear of contacting mental health professionals first. (And this is understandable, in addition, family members do not always understand and correctly interpret the symptoms observed in the “strange and incomprehensible” behavior of their loved one). However, it is extremely important to understand that the most suitable solution in such a case is not to wait, but to seek professional help in a timely manner. This can be difficult: very often a person does not understand or denies that they need it, even worse, when their relatives also deny it. Where do you start when you don’t know exactly what help your loved one needs? In this case, evaluate the situation:

1. If you see a threat to the health of a loved one, call the general helpline immediately for help.

2. If you notice strange, incomprehensible, and inappropriate behavior from a loved one, but don’t see the threat, try talking about it. The purpose of the interview is to build trust and then to encourage you to seek professional help. You can also help do this specifically: sign up for a consultation at that person’s outpatient mental health center. These centers are available in all outpatient clinics, registration with mental health professionals is direct, no referrals or referrals are required through a family doctor. If possible, you can accompany at the agreed time: the information you provide can be very important in assessing a person’s condition, the cause of the disorder.

How and who to talk to?

Sometimes it is not easy to convince that help is needed. Gently, patiently, and without anger, explain that talking to a specialist can help them feel calmer, sleep better, etc. It is very important not to attack to ask questions, to explain, to speak, but simply to think about which of the close relatives the disturbed person trusts the most, with whom he has the best emotional connection, who is best able to remain calm; should try to keep in touch, talk. By no means should there be many people involved who still argue with each other about what to do, offer their versions, express emotions. A person with a disability really has enough stimuli inside, in their senses, thoughts and feelings, so it is necessary to try to reduce them to the maximum outside, to guarantee a safe and quiet environment.

Begin communicating not even with words, but with calm movements and facial expressions, eye contact, perhaps touch, hug (if one person allows), calm voice intonation, simply showing that you are together, to create a safe, welcoming environment And trustworthy. Ask, speak in short, clear and specific sentences, simply – “I’m here, with you”, “I care how you feel”, maybe – ask, “what happened”, “how do you feel”, check if the person wants to talk, say what’s going on with him, and maybe just stay, stay with him. If the person is speaking, just listen, maintain eye contact, maintain a calm facial expression. Even if the language scares you, it is incomprehensible, do not be surprised, preach, attack or explain that everything is different – just listen, if caresses or hugs are possible – do it. When the person calms down, think about how you will help them seek help from specialists.