According to statistics, the number of mental illnesses is growing every year. As a result, the number of people who are forced to contact such patients is also increasing. How to communicate with mentally ill people?
Avoiding the situation of communication with a mental patient might be the best solution, if not for the circumstances that can make this communication forced. You cannot stop communicating with a relative or loved one if such a misfortune befalls them. A situation may arise when for some time you have to contact with strangers with mental disabilities.
How can you protect yourself in this communication from negative emotional consequences?
Define clearly your strengths and resources, assess whether they are enough for you to communicate in this situation
Mental illness manifests itself in different ways in different people. There are patients with whom only a qualified specialist can communicate. You cannot live and interact with those who are capable of bringing a real threat to human life. Such patients are placed in special conditions and contact with them is possible only for a limited time and with certain protective measures.
In all other cases, communication with mental patients does not pose a threat to life, but it is also stressful and energy-consuming.
Determine clearly how long you can communicate with the patient without serious losses for your mental health, to what extent you are able to direct his behavior. Depending on this, attract outside help or look for other ways to solve everyday situations.
Consult a qualified healthcare professional about the person's mental illness
All mental illnesses have their own specifics, which is important for you to know about. You will receive additional information and unnecessary ways to control the situation if the specialist tells about the prognosis of the disease, its course and other features. You will also be warned of surprises to be prepared for and your strategies of behavior that will help relieve many stressful moments. Sometimes these strategies may seem strange to us from an ordinary point of view, but they can be most effective in dealing with people with mental disabilities.
It is important to change your attitude towards the mentally ill person
Shock and stress is a natural reaction that most people experience when they first come into contact with mental patients. Strong irritation can accompany such communication for a long time. The important thing here is to give yourself time to cope with this stress. Do not refuse help for yourself, which can be provided by a qualified specialist during this difficult time. This period may be more difficult for you than for a mentally ill relative with whom you have to maintain a relationship.
The correct attitude towards the patient himself is very important. The very fact that he behaves this way or does not understand something causes severe irritation. Although this may be a consequence of the disease, and not the ill will of the person. It is very difficult to accept this fact, since we habitually demand normal and correct behavior from a mentally ill person. Our irritation, although fully justified, takes a lot of energy and makes the situation much more difficult than it really is.
Find a way to completely take inappropriate behavior for granted, without judgment. At the same time, you may well not like it, but you cannot treat a mentally ill person as a healthy person who behaves incorrectly.
If you manage to achieve this attitude, the situation becomes much easier.
Explanations of a specialist about mental illness and consultations of a psychologist on rethinking their attitude towards the patient can help in this.
Dealing with a mentally challenged person can be challenging. If such communication cannot be avoided, then it is quite possible to make it, if not pleasant, then at least less stressful and emotionally costly.
