Explaining Mental Illness To Someone Who Doesn’t Understand: 9 Tips You Need
Discover nine things to remember that will help you when explaining your mental illness to someone who doesn’t understand.
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Explaining your mental illness to family members and friends who don’t understand could have a profound effect on your relationships. Here are nine tips to remember when you’re engaging in dialogue with them.
Stan Popovich is the author of the popular managing fear book, “A Layman’s Guide To Managing Fear”. Stan’s advice has been featured in the news media. For more information about the book and to get free mental health advice, please visit his website, Managing Fear.
Do you have a difficult time explaining mental illness to someone who doesn’t understand and having them understand where you are coming from?
It can be very challenging when you are struggling with depression or anxiety and the people that you know give you a hard time. This can make one’s mental health issues get even worse rather than getting better.
As a result, here are nine things that will help you when explaining mental illness to someone who doesn’t understand.
Talk to a counselor
The most important thing that you need to do, before anything else, is to talk to a counselor about your mental health problems.
Seeking professional help will help you to overcome your current issues. In addition, a counselor will be able to give you additional advice on how to deal with your friends and peers.
Ask others to learn about your situation
There are many books and information that will educate relatives and friends on how to deal with their family members’ mental health issues. Tell the people that you know that the best way to help is to take the time to learn the inner workings of depression, fear, and anxiety and knowing how to deal with a person who is struggling.
If your friends will not make the effort, then it is probably a good idea not to bother with those people because they will only make things worse.
Don’t argue with others
It is important that you do not get into arguments with those who are giving you a hard time. Your number one priority is mental health recovery.
It is not your job to convince people that you are right and they are wrong. Your health is more important than what other people may think.
Watch who you hang out with
It is important to surround yourself with positive people.
Try to keep your distance from those people who are giving you a difficult time. Remember that your goal is to remain positive and hopeful. Do not let the negative people in your life bring you down.
You are not alone
It can be very frustrating to deal with your mental health issues when your friends and relatives are on your case.
Remember, you are not alone. There are millions of people around the world who struggle with their fears, anxieties, depression, and stresses. The key is to find those people who can relate to you through various support groups in your area.
Stand your ground
It is important to stand your ground when dealing with family members and friends who are giving you a hard time. Explain your situation and your feelings to the people in your life, however don’t let them hassle you.
Your number one priority is to get better and not to please everyone that you know.
Show people that you are confident in yourself
It is important to believe in yourself and that you display confidence when dealing with others when it comes to your mental health. Make it known that your main job is not to seek approval from others, but rather to find ways to help overcome your anxiety related struggles.
Smile, being friendly, and showing people that you are confident in yourself will go a long way in getting others to respect your situation.
Join a support group
There are many mental health support groups in your area that can help you. Many hospitals, churches, and counselors in your area will be able to provide you with a list of groups.
These support groups will be supportive of your situation and can give you additional advice regarding your problems. Joining a support group is very important in a person’s recovery because it will help you find people who can relate to you.
You have the power
You have the sole authority to determine how you feel and how you react to others who are giving you a hard time. If things become too difficult, then learn to walk away. Do not let others take away your power and your self-confidence. Take control of your situation, NOW and Not Later. Remember that you and you alone have the power to make the decisions that will get your life back on track. Rely on yourself rather relying on others who are just making things difficult.
