How should we treat our friends who have mental illness?

Question

Conscious but having problems, like bipolar or schizotypal.
Should we talk about their illness or avoid talking about it.
And how to help our friend? What to avoid?

Answer 1

Hi there !
Ultimately it depends upon the degree of illness ! but give them encouragement !
If they are already on treatment, better avoid talking to them about the illness..
if they have not started the treatment, better get the opinion from a psychiatric consultant..for that you can help them or their family...right ?
If they are too violent or trouble for the society, better act accordingly..
best wishes..

Answer 2

If you see signs that your friend has a mental problem you should never avoid talking to that person because your friend qwould need all the talk and attention he/she can get. You could also offer to carry them personnally and not just recommend a conseller some who get give that person professional help. I think the person has serious problems that was kept inside, because the person is ashame to talk about it with a friend. Be there for that person.....

Answer 3

Unless they are aware of and willing to talk about it, it isn't a good idea to talk about it. It is very easy to send someone like that into a rage or deep depression. Just give them space when they need it and don't treat them any different than any of your other friends and remember, they can't help it or do anything to make it better and usually the things you think might help will only make it worse.

Answer 4

I have friends who have bipolar disorder and they can be very odd at times. When she is on her meds she talks and is talked to like every normal human being. Which is how we should all treat others, regardless if they have a mental or physical disability. I would never bring up their condition unless they specifically wanted to discuss it. When folks with these problems are not on their meds they can be difficult, to downright silent, refusing to speak. In that case, let them be. Don't try to get them to talk about their problems to you unless you are trained to give them good advice.

Answer 5

It depends on what your friend is comfortable with. I've known people that were extremely comfortable with their illness that they would start talking about it out of the blue and bringing up past experiences. I've also known people who get upset when they have to talk about it.

Answer 6

You can talk to your friends about their illness if they are open about it and have told you about it or if it affects your friendship. Maybe they are doing things that are unusual they are not aware of. They should be on medication if they have a mental illness that is manageable by prescription drugs.

Answer 7

there's no excuse for treating acquaintances and family individuals badly, yet having a psychological ailment is a reason that could desire to be considered on an analogous time as the everybody is feeling harm for being dealt with badly. possibly, then, the "harm" will address yet another place.

Answer 8

They don't really like to talk about it, unless they bring it up and are searching for answers..if that is the case, be their support and help them find those answers..if that ISN"T the case, don't mention it and treat them normally as you can..and love them and do unto them, as you would want to be treated like if you were sick...God Bless

Answer 9

I would not talk to them about it.Because i would think that it Might hurt there feeling.I would treat them like i treat my other Friends.Because when you treat someone with a sickness Diffrent it some time hurt there feeling.

Answer 10

Treat them like you would any other friend. If they bring up their disease, be open with them, but let it be their choice whether they want to discuss it with you and/or anyone else.