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(HealthNewsDigest.com) – When someone close to you is unwell it can be a scary time, and that’s especially true if they are diagnosed with a mental health disorder. If someone you know is acting differently to how they usually would, it can be confusing and difficult to witness the pain they are experiencing. If they had a cold or flu, you would know how to look after them, but would you know the steps to take to help with a mental illness? Additional help, love, and support for someone with mental health issues are important, and although you may not physically see the illness, it doesn’t mean you cannot help someone.
How you can help your loved ones
People who are experiencing mental health issues can increasingly benefit from family and friends’ support to help them get through some of the barriers they encounter. A strong support network of close family, friends and other related people who care, such as teachers, coaches, neighbors, and coworkers can significantly speed up the recovery from a mental health condition. Some will have a more extensive network than others, but most people will have at least a handful of people there when needed the most.
Friends and family can provide a range of support options to the person suffering from mental health problems. If someone is receiving treatment for OCD, for example, a friend or family member can be there to help them go through various exercises when required.
Looking for signs of danger
Being aware of the early signs of mental illness is important in treating the condition before it spirals out of control. Friends and family often spot these signs before anyone else. Receiving effective treatment for a mental health illness can often come down to trial and error, and family members might see the initial signs of improvement if an effective method of treatment is found.
Suppose someone you know has been diagnosed with a mental health disorder. In that case, it may be useful to research the signs and symptoms of their condition and understand how various treatments work. This can help you spot any side effects the person may be experiencing, and keep track of improvements in their condition.
Getting help when it’s needed
To help loved ones get through those difficult, initial stages of having a mental health disorder, friends and family are super important. They can be there as a support cushion to find the best treatment for their loved one, and they can also be useful when a specialist needs to know the person’s background, adding the missing puzzle pieces that the sufferer may not have noticed themselves.
To make things run as smoothly as possible, you might accompany your loved one to their appointments with the family doctor, or even make the appointments on their behalf. If problems with concentration are an issue for your loved one, these initial steps can be difficult to accomplish alone. You could help your loved one note down any talking points they’d like to discuss before their appointment so that no stone is left unturned. Should your loved one wish to attend solo, offer your support and ask if there’s anything they need you to help with.
Bear in mind that you often have no control over a mental health crisis occurring. If your loved one has no option but to be admitted to the hospital, you should try to encourage them to go alone. In some cases where your loved one is at a risk of harming themselves, they may require urgent treatment. Involuntary treatment can often be complicated and stressful for everyone involved. It could be beneficial for you to consult a specialist regarding the treatment and then explain to your loved one what they can expect.
Medication and appointment support
If you are with your loved one several times per week, you could assist them with reminders to take their prescribed medication (although you should never physically place pills into their mouth). In the case that medication wasn’t taken regularly, you might also explain to their therapist the reason why.On the other hand, you could also stay with your loved one during light therapy or help with the practice of their counseling techniques or remind them to attend an appointment for treatment.
There are so many ways that you can help your loved ones cope with their mental health disorder, and we hope you’ve found some of our tips useful in making life a little bit easier for them. Please drop us a line in the comments if you found our guide useful.