For a long time now, I have struggled with explaining my mental health troubles to my friends. While some were empathetic enough to understand, it took others much longer to accept what they haven’t experienced. But does that mean the onus of explaining our mental health lies on us? No. And here’s how I dealt with particularly difficult friends.
Pointing them towards reading articles online
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The Internet is not entirely a bad place. While it can wreak havoc on one’s mental health, it can also come handy. In my case, I straight up asked my friends to read articles on anxiety from trusted sources. I realised that it’s not my duty to educate them about it and if they truly cared, they would do some reading on their own.
Asking to be excused when I am exhausted
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Sometimes when I am feeling overwhelmed or anxious, I don’t have the mental bandwidth to indulge a friend no matter how good their intentions are. It’s all the more taxing when they are not ready to understand my circumstances. In such cases, I ask them to give me space and I will get back to them when I am feeling better. Initially, people didn’t warm up to the bluntness but eventually they got around to it.
Making them a part of the recovery process
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Unfortunately, I have noticed this method only worked on people who were willing to help me. When they couldn’t understand my conditions, I talked to them about what I learned in therapy or shared social media posts by experts. A third person’s perspective helped them understand that my challenges are real and not just something in my head.
Blocking toxic friends
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If there’s one thing I have learned in the past few years, it’s using the ‘Block’ feature abundantly. It took me some time to realise that I’m not responsible for managing friends who are just parading their toxicity on me. I stand to lose nothing by blocking them from my life. And honestly, it’s been a relief to not be in touch with people who are not kind and empathetic.
How do you deal with a friend who doesn’t take your mental health conditions seriously? Let us know in the comments.
Disclaimer: These views reflect the author’s personal experiences, not the opinions of a medical practitioner. If you experience mental health issues, contact a therapist or psychiatrist.
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