5 things not to tell someone who’s facing mental health issues – Hindustan Times

It is heart-breaking to see someone close to you suffering from depression , anxiety or other such health issue. The invisible impact of mental health can be felt in every aspect of life. People with psychological health issues may look at the world differently and what you tell them can make a great difference. Losing interest in daily activities, meeting friends, experiencing sleep issues, hopelessness, extreme mood changes, confused thinking are usually all symptoms of poor mental health. Choosing your words carefully that reassures your friends can be extremely helpful, on the particular other hand, words or even reactions that are not expressed well or a bit insensitively could adversely impact them. Generalising their issues, comparing them to others or suggesting them solutions that are difficult for them to apply can make all of them feel miserable about themselves. (Also read: 8 positive things to tell a person struggling with depression)

“Mental wellness has become one of the most talked-about topics in today’s time. However, despite the increasing awareness about this issue, not really everyone knows how to connect with someone suffering from a mental health condition. The biggest challenge is finding the right thing to say or do when someone you love is on the verge of a mental breakdown. Even though your own intentions are good and all you want to do is offer support plus comfort, you might just accidentally end up saying some thing unhelpful or even damaging, ” says Dr Bharghav Sirivelu, Psychiatry, Apollo 24|7.

Here are some things that are best left unsaid, as per Dr Bharghav.

1 . Don’t say anything that belittles their suffering

While talking about the problems within life, individuals often think it’s helpful to say things like:

“Don’t become sad. Things could end up being worse! ”

“There are people who have it even harder. ”

“I get it! I almost had a panic attack whenever I couldn’t find my phone this morning. ”

Comparing someone’s psychological health problems to other people’s problems or your own irrelevant experiences belittles their pain. It is essential in order to understand that will depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues don’t necessarily have a trigger. Moreover, if a person cannot acknowledge their condition, do not make it worse by making them feel guilty about being sad.

2. Don’t be dismissive

You might not realise it, but even simple statements that you toss off thoughtlessly could be interpreted as dismissive. It is very common for people to say things such as:

“Snap out of it! ”

“Cheer upward! ”

“Let it go! ”

“Calm down! ”

“Just don’t worry about this. ”

Saying something like this particular trivialises their own feelings and can make someone feel like they’re making a big deal out of nothing. It makes it seem like they have a choice in the matter plus they can just flick a switch and “get over it”. These statements can send quite the damaging message that mental health issues are something that can and should be ignored.

3. Don’t suggest magic cures

Anyone suffering through a psychological health condition has definitely heard well-meaning comments and suggestions like:

“Have you tried yoga? ”

“Why do not you give meditation a try? ”

“Try drinking chamomile tea. ”

It’s natural and completely understandable that all you should do is help. However, it is important to understand that it is nothing more than a misconception to think that will meditation, yoga, or some other wellness trends can cure stress, depression, or even other psychological medical issues. Whilst these practices can certainly help support the treatment for many people, every individual has different needs plus only they can tell what works for all of them.

4. Don’t express disbelief

Another very common reaction when individuals come across somebody struggling with the mental wellness condition is disbelief. You can often find people saying something like:

“But you always seem so happy! ”

“I thought a person had a great life. ”

But you don’t look depressed!

“But you haven’t been acting any various. ”

“You don’t look sad/anxious. ”

One of the most essential things you need to understand about mental health issues is that they may affect anyone, even those who seem to have it almost all. Lately, world-famous celebrities have also opened up about their own struggle along with mental health conditions. Most people pretend to hide behind a mask associated with happiness and don’t feel comfortable revealing exactly how they truly feel. Some feel that pretending to be happy is a good coping mechanism. Whatever the case may be, making statements that will showcase such disbelief can look like you are dismissing their feelings.

five. Avoid platitudes

When you want to assist someone with a mental health problem, platitudes may seem like a good idea. However , they aren’t. It is very common in order to offer up advice and statements such as:

“This too shall pass. ”

“Tomorrow is another day. ”

“You’ll get over this. ”

While these cliched remarks are offered up in a kind-hearted plus heartfelt manner, they don’t offer much hope. Not only do statements like these show that you have no understanding of what the particular person will be going through but these people also provide the impression that psychological health problems are something that will pass on their very own.

“It’s vital to remember that mental wellness can be improved. Make sure that will your loved ones have access in order to professional help if they need it. If a person want to help, simply let the person know these people are not really alone and you’ll become there in order to listen plus lend the hand whenever they need it, ” concludes Dr Bharghav.

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