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I’m concerned about my loved one

Mental illnesses are often communication illnesses, and this has repercussions on relationships with others. Living with someone with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder or borderline personality disorder can be confusing and worrisome. You may feel lost at times, and that’s perfectly normal.

 

You want to understand

Here are some examples of behaviour that may cause concern.

Your loved one :

  • Angers quickly over trivial things
  • Constantly argues with family members
  • Says they are very unhappy at school, work, or home, when not so long ago, they said the opposite
  • Has lost interest in their friends and become increasingly isolated
  • Shows acute signs of sadness but says everything is fine
  • Is having trouble sleeping and/or has their days and nights mixed up
  • Is eating less than normal or eating all the time
  • Has been consuming alcohol or drugs contrary to their normal habits
  • Fumbles for words, has difficulty expressing themselves and speaks incoherently
  • Has difficulty concentrating when watching television or a movie or when reading a book
  • Forgets to do their daily chores
  • Is unable to follow a conversation and/or seems completely absent-minded
  • Hears voices or sees things that you are not able to hear or see
  • Is behaving strangely and/or feels spied on or watched
  • Suddenly takes on excessive projects when they were calm and reserved by nature

 

How to respond to your loved one’s behaviour

You don’t have to shoulder the weight of the situation. There are professionals who can do this instead. We recommend encouraging your loved one to consult them.

Do you feel troubled, worried or helpless when faced with such behaviour? Ideally, you should seek the information and tools you need to better understand how to react appropriately.

Consult the suggested websites at the bottom of the page. You can also contact us UNFILTERED. We will help you understand and equip you so you know what to do! By seeking help, you can better support your loved one, while keeping your balance during difficult times.

If you are in a crisis situation, your loved one refuses to cooperate and you need help quickly, please refer to the I need to act quickly section.

 

Things to remember

It is quite possible that when you want to talk to your loved one about their behaviour, they will not be open to it. The best thing to do is to encourage them to seek professional help.

You also need to think about yourself and try to better equip yourself to understand the situation as well as your role in your loved one’s recovery process.