You may notice that your friend appears anxious or has been depressed lately. If you can see there is something different about them that is making you concerned, do not ignore it. Asking your friends questions about their mental illness symptoms will present the opportunity to talk and show that you care.
How Are You?
We often ask people how they are doing, as a form of small talk. The truth is that this can be a deeper question. This can be an opportunity to let that person know what you have noticed about them, like if they seem sadder than usual or if they have been withdrawn. If you know your friend has gone through something difficult, ask them how they have been doing since it happened. It is important to look them straight in the eye and not interrupt, as the answer to this question will not be easy for them to say.
How Have You Been Eating and Sleeping?
We tend to de-prioritize eating and sleeping. If you are hardly eating anything or not sleeping enough, that reflects on your mental health. Ask your friend why they have not been eating as much or why they have been neglecting their sleep. If their answers raise alarms, such as if your friend has been skipping meals or they only sleep for a few hours at night, this is the time to intervene. Ask them more questions like if they have spoken to a doctor about this. Acknowledge their pain and let them know you want them to feel better.
What Can I Do For You?
Having a mental illness can make you feel so alone. By offering support and lending a helping hand, it can make a big difference in how well your friend does. There can be little ways to help, such as if you offer to watch that person’s pet or kids, picking up groceries for them, giving them a ride to a doctor, or socializing with them via video chat. Do not be surprised if they do not know how you can help them, as they may not even know that they need help. If you can see clearly some ways in which you can help, make a specific offer. By asking honest questions, you can learn things about your friend and how you can be of real help to them.
You may be recognizing that your friend has a mental illness, but they might not be aware of it. If you are noticing the signs of your friend’s mental health symptoms, you do not need to leave it alone. You can help your friend recognize their symptoms and let them know how normal it is to have a mental illness. The highly trained and experienced staff at Alta Loma’s transformative treatment center is here to help those who are struggling to recognize their symptoms and get the help they need. It is important to not let the ongoing stigma of mental illness scare you away from talking to your friend about seeking professional help. Men of all ages can benefit from our personalized treatment plans brought to you by professional specialists. We offer full psychiatric evaluations, therapeutic recreational activities, life skills, coping skills education, medication management, and much more to cater to your individual needs. To get started, give us a call today at (866) 457-3843.
