How can you tell whether a friend is just dealing with the everyday challenges of life or is struggling with something more serious issues like depression, major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, substance abuse, or an anxiety disorder? If you find it, don’t wait to seek professional attention and psychiatric treatment.
Early intervention can help reduce the severity of an illness. It may even be possible to delay or prevent a major mental illness altogether.
Our guide to asking twice
Don’t worry as you don’t have to be an expert in mental illness to detect and open up with your friend talking about mental health. You can follow three simple steps as explained below. Once you figure out about the issue your friend is facing, you know that professional help is out there.
Give an open ear to what they want to say
Sometimes listening is more important than talking. Yes, you don’t need to answer all the questions they ask you because even listening to them politely can make a big difference. Just make them feel that you care for them and you are listening to what they want to say and how they feel about it.
You can try to compensate them by just saying – “OK that seems really difficult.”
Be a mend or try to fix the problem
As said, you don’t have to be a professional and fix their problem. Just being there and listening to them would mean a lot. Because what they are going through is completely real to them though it can be difficult to open especially when you think your friend won’t understand.
Don’t minimize them when they are opening up
Show your care to them and be the supportive friend you’ve always been. While listening to them or talking to them it’s OK to ask questions like –
“What kind of thoughts are you having?”,
“Is there any way I can help you!”,
“Since when do you start feeling this?”, etc.
Asking such questions make them feel that they are being listened to and cared about.
In a nutshell…
Gently remind the friend who you are and you are there to help. Don’t reinforce or dismiss their experiences, but acknowledge how the symptoms are making them feel. Consulting a psychiatrist and a medical professional is the next step you should do for your friend or loved one. Also always remember, that people with suicidal thoughts or intent, or thoughts of harming others, need immediate attention.
Looking for a psychiatrist in Ahmedabad? Drop us a message or give us a call for an appointment.
