Dealing with a friend in distress can be difficult – especially if they’re unwilling to accept help, whether that be your help, therapists’ help, counsellors’ help, or the help of rehabs in Plano.
It could be because they are ignorant to the problem at hand, they may know that they need help but simply have too much pride or are scared to accept help. Either way, here is what you should do in order to give your friend the help they need.
Offer an ear
Not everyone wants advice. Some people may simply be in need of someone to vent their feelings to. If your friend is in a bad place, opt to meet up so that they can talk about their problems in detail – they may then be more open to advice and assistance afterwards. You may be assuming the source of their problem without letting your friend talk these problems out in detail to you.
Don’t pressure them too much
Whilst you may have good intentions by constantly hounding someone to get help, it could be having the opposite effect. Constantly express your worry for them, but don’t try to drag them to counselling appointments or control their lives. Try using more subtle ways of getting them help such as leaving them leaflets to counsellors or telling them stories of people in similar situations that didn’t get help. Sometimes, they may need you as a friend and not a counsellor. As a result, don’t make every meeting solely about trying to solve their problem – try to be a positive distraction by arranging days out or activities in which they can forget their problems.
Don’t back off too much either
Whilst you shouldn’t keep pressuring them, neither should you entirely back off. Those with a substance abuse problem will often isolate themselves, so you should make an effort to keep checking in on them. If they’re constantly refusing to meet up with you, don’t be afraid to go knocking at their door.
Get help yourself
It may be worth seeing a counsellor yourself to get advice on how to deal with them. This can be a good alternative if they are refusing to see a counsellor themselves. On a related note, the stress of trying to look after your friend may be taking its toll on your mental health. Don’t be afraid to get help yourself if you think this may be the case.
Know when things get serious
In some circumstances, you may believe that the person is in immediate danger, either to themselves or at the risk of someone else. In such instances, there is no time to try and persuade them to get their own help. If you believe someone else is endangering them, call the police. If you believe they are a danger to themselves, try calling up a hotline that may be able to solicit advice.
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These are stellar tips and a great thing to share (having such a wide audience) cause I think it’ll help a lot of people!
Thank you so much! ☺🌷
This is actually very useful. Thanx 😆
Thank you for stopping by, as always! ☺🌸
Great advice!! Thank you 😊
Nice post Ula! I really enjoyed reading it ☺️.
Thank you! ☺🌹
Great post! I think its hard to have a balance between backing off and pressuring them to talk! I’m still finding my balance between the two!
That’s great ☺, thank you for stopping by Carol! ☺🌺
Thank you for your post. This topic is very helpul to me.
This is a very useful Post. All the pointers are helpful. I especially believe that no matter how much the other person refuses your help, you should keep checking on them regularly.
Thank you for sharing.
I like that you also included ‘helping yourself’. Useful tips.
Thank you so much Karen! ☺🌻
It’s challenging to want to help someone that doesn’t want it or thinks help isn’t needed. I think stating that you’re here when/if they need you and offer them support is a good solution.
Thank you for stopping by Kristina! ☺🌼
If you help a friend very much, it will change your relationship with them; likely wrecking the friendship. The best help is help that cannot be associated with the helper.
I know you are probably thinking I’m mistaken 🙂
Thankyou Ula for this article, it shall be quite helpful for me.
👌👌👌
Thank you! ☺🌹
Really great post. I have a friend like this, and it really was hard to offer her help at times. Luckily I persisted and held on, and eventually she opened up more, allowing me to offer her help. But it can at times really be hard 😊 That’s why I thought this post offered the exact amount of good advice on how to deal with these situations 😀
The collection of Good Advice. A friend in need is a friend indeed.
Thanks for the tips 🙂
Thank you for stopping by! ☺🌼
Give them space. Force them to use you as literal punching bag if they are not boxers. 🙂
A Good friend in need is a friend indeed. Wonderful.
Thank you! ☺🌸
Thank you for sharing this. It is hard on both sides. Being the one trying to help a friend and being the one who needs help but afraid of getting it. Great ideas . 😊
Thank you! ☺🌹
Your welcome ☺
If you want to be a listening ear, you also have to back off, otherwise they will be take all off your energy and you can become depressed yourself!
Best regard, Heidi
Reblogged this on Free Perspectives and commented:
This will help a lot of people; thank you Simple Ula!
Thank you so much for sharing my post! ☺🌹
Thank you for sharing your words. In today’s world stress is making our life harder day by day.
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Thank you so much for sharing my post! ☺🌼