Living with a mental illness is difficult and challenging in itself, let alone when you bring your loved ones into the mix. When someone you love has been diagnosed with a mental illness, it is important you have the tools to support them. Being supported and having a family that is willing to come together for their loved one who is suffering from a mental illness is incredibly important. This willingness to come together, accept the diagnosis, and move forward as a unit will make a world of difference. This is not to say doing so is easy or comes naturally, but it is important for the health and well-being of everyone affected. Denying that someone has a mental illness or disapproving of this individual will only make the situation worse and could create even more obstacles for your loved ones.
Having the support of those who are closest to you – whether it be your biological family or chosen people – is critical to an individual’s recovery and well-being. Having the unwavering support of loved ones has been proven to help minimize the damage mental illness can inflict on a person. While this is undoubtedly a difficult situation, it is important to take the time to find the right tools to help yourself and the person close to you who is suffering from a mental illness.
Finding out that you have a serious mental illness can be quite a shock, especially if you thought you were healthy. This can also be a shock for those closest to you. However, accepting the diagnosis and moving forward with a treatment plan is a must. By learning about the mental illness your loved one is suffering from, you will be more of a support for your family member than you may even realize. Here at Lifeworks, we work with individuals suffering from a wide range of mental illnesses, as well as their families. If you have recently learned that someone close to you has a mental illness, we encourage you to seek mental therapy and counseling at our Dallas clinic. We will help you learn how to accept this diagnosis and move forward in a healthy and loving manner. Here are a few tips on how to help your loved one suffering from a mental illness:
- Encourage a loved one to seek help, guidance, and support – While many people try to deal with mental illness on their own, it is important you encourage them to seek outside help. Lifeworks has a team of trusted mental health experts who would be happy to meet with your family and offer guidance. This is an important first step that can be difficult, but will make a huge difference in your life moving forward.
- Seek balance – For some, medications are necessary in order to control the symptoms associated with the mental illness. This can be a difficult thing to accept and adjust to, which is where you come in. While you may want to take charge and help them find the right solutions for their diagnosis, it is important to seek balance and not take over.
- Educate yourself – Finally, by learning about your loved one’s diagnosis you will be better prepared to support them. Meet with a mental health professional who can provide you with real answers, not answers you find on Google. By informing yourself as much as possible, you will be a reliable support system for your loved one in the future.
If someone in your life is suffering from a mental illness, give Lifeworks a call today and schedule an appointment with one of our Dallas counselors. We are here for you and will offer as much support and guidance as you’d like.