Supporting Loved Ones Through Mental Illness
We talk a lot about how to navigate mental health issues and yet it isn’t as common to hear about how to love someone through their issues with mental health. It can be so difficult watching a loved one struggle with something that you may not even fully understand. There can be unpredictability and feeling like you are walking on eggshells. You may feel like what you are doing is never enough. H*ll, there isn’t necessarily a clear-cut “to-do” list on how to care for someone struggling with mental illness.
There isn’t one right way to do it
Supporting a loved one while they’re struggling with something you just don’t understand is hard. There isn’t a how-to book that can tell you every single thing you should and shouldn’t do. Mental health is different than physical health in the sense that physical health can be a lot more concrete in knowing how to treat and support physical symptoms. What makes helping someone with mental illness even more difficult is that each person has different needs. One person with depression might need accountability with taking their medication whereas another person might need you to just hang out with them.
Showing up is enough when supporting a loved one
It’s okay to mess up, in fact, it’s basically guaranteed you will mess up. You’re not perfect and you shouldn’t expect yourself to be perfect. It is so easy to feel responsible for the happiness and well-being of your friend or family member. Seeing them struggle and not being able to do anything can make you feel helpless.
So what can you do then?
How are you supposed to help this person you care so much about? The simple and yet most difficult thing to do is to just show up. The best thing you can do is just show up and continue to be curious about how to support a loved one.
Your job isn’t to save them
I know that it feels so important to just “stop” whatever your loved one is struggling with. In fact, you’ll do anything so they won’t suffer anymore. I know this seems like the best mindset to have but it actually can be really damaging. No matter how hard you try you can’t save them. The sooner you accept this, the easier it will be for you to truly show up and be a good support system.
Take care of yourself
Pace yourself. This is a marathon, not a sprint. It’s key to take care of yourself or you will burn out. It’s like the age-old example they give you on planes of putting the oxygen mask on yourself and then your neighbor. So how do you practically do this? The first thing to do is to figure out what boundaries you may need to put in place ahead of time. It’s okay for your boundaries to change but it’s important to set some type of boundaries so you don’t burn out.
Begin Supporting Your Loved One Sustainably. Try Online Therapy in Pennsylvania for More Support!
I know you want to do your best in supporting your loved one with mental illness. You are not alone in that. Hopefully, these tips can help you but also know there is only so much you can do on your own. If you want help, you can work with Revive Therapy in Pennsylvania. Your online therapist, Hannah, Guy is here to walk alongside you. When you’re ready to get started, follow these simple steps:
Meet your online therapist, Hannah Guy
Begin supporting your loved one in a sustainable and realistic way.
Other Services at Revive Therapy
Getting therapy support is perfectly OK! You deserve a space to talk through life events that may be holding you back. Whether this is your first time in therapy or you’ve been here before, I am here to help you process, work through, and move toward your goals in a healthy and sustainable way. If you’re looking for other services at Revive Therapy in Pennsylvania, I offer other services. This includes binge eating treatment, PTSD treatment and trauma therapy, body image issues, binge eating, and more. I offer support with EMDR therapy if you’re in need of more specialized support. Additionally, all services are offered via online therapy in Pennsylvania. When you’re ready for support. Call now!