How does mental ill health affect friendships?

How does mental ill health affect friendships?

Friendships and mental illness If someone is suffering with a mental illness, spending time with friends may be more difficult for them. Feelings of depression or anxiety can make normal social events seem intimidating, daunting or exhausting.

What mental illness makes it hard to make friends?

Anxiety. A very common reason for this difficulty is that many people experience some degree of anxiety when meeting new people. This anxiety stems from a fear of being rejected or judged by others.

What do you do if your friend is mentally unstable?

There are some general strategies that you can use to help:

1. Listen without making judgements and concentrate on their needs in that moment.
2. Ask them what would help them.
3. Reassure and signpost to practical information or resources.
4. Avoid confrontation.
5. Ask if there is someone they would like you to contact.

How do you check a friend’s mental health?

Show that you’re listening by repeating back some of what they are telling you. For example, “So, you feel that …” or “It sounds like you ….” Acknowledge their feelings. It never hurts to say (or repeat) that you care. Share concern, but not panic or judgment.

Why do I attract mentally unstable friends?

By suppressing yourself, you unknowingly self-select for others who overexpress themselves. Emotionally suppressed people tend to get particularly hooked on overly emotional/unstable people because it allows them to experience their own emotions vicariously through the drama of the person they’re with.

How do you say mental illness in a nice way?

Say, “has a mental illness.” It can also be appropriate to say “mental health condition,” since many people who deal with mental health concerns may not have a formal diagnosis or a full-fledged illness. 3. Don’t use the terms “retarded” or “mentally retarded.”

Can you make fun of mental illness?

Wait, I know what you’re thinking: You can’t make fun of mental illness. You’re right. YOU can’t. Unless you’ve been there. Stay with me.

How does mental illness affect friendships?

The Impact Mental Illnesses Have on Friendships. Obviously a flaky friend isn’t a good sign, but don’t make assumptions. Flakiness is often a behavioral pattern of someone who is dealing with emotional distress. Find out if your friend is struggling with their mental health before writing them off as a bad friend.

Are You a “flaky” friend with mental health issues?

As a person who struggles with mental illnesses, I know how incredibly hard those two parts of friendships can be. As a result, one of the biggest problems that can come up when dealing with mental health issues in a friendship is becoming a “flaky” friend.

Why are mental illnesses so hard to put aside?

Mental illnesses are hard to put aside or escape from because they are a part of your brain, which makes up who you are and how you act. One of the biggest parts of a person’s life is their social life, which includes friendships. Mental health plays a big part in deciding how well a person’s social…