Friend having emotional and mental breakdown and unsure how to cope
My friend is showing signs of a mental breakdown and is making incredibly impulsive decisions. Some of her decisions are valid but she’s going about them recklessly with no sense of consequences. Her husband is reaching out to me for help in understanding what she’s going through. She recently does not trust anyone and is showing signs of paranoia. I’m scared to talk to him and I’m terrified of enabling her but she is very fragile at the moment. I just don’t know what to do.
@carefulPineapple9901
There is not one way to reach a person in this type situation ........
but i have often heard from people "if only i could have helped before " some reckless/ impulsive decision had a very bad outcome or consequence.
talking to people who want to help like her spouse maybe a start maybe finding others she sill listen to. Anything to help get her help or see her behavior clearly...
Is there any substance abuse involved or is it just mental stress etc. ?
She has repeatedly said she’s stopped drinking and is only taking her prescribed zoloft. I notice she’s repeating these things possibly to reassure people she is in good health and making sound decisions. I do believe it’s just mental stress and she’s not completely aware of how she’s projecting. In the past week, she has cut off her parents, cussed out her in laws, verbally harassed friends who she thinks don’t understand her. I don’t believe she’s properly slept all week as she has texted paragraphs to me nonstop throughout the night.
Her spouse is doing everything he can to keep her safe. This episode started when she decided she wanted a divorce earlier this week and became scared of him and claimed he was abusing her.
I hate to not believe her but I’ve known them both for a long time and while I agree they’re incompatible and he can be a jerk sometimes, I don’t believe there was abuse. It’s not my call to make but it is why I’m having a hard time speaking to her husband and risk losing her trust.
Yesterday she confided in her husband that she needed help. They called a hotline and got paramedics to come. They determined she’s physically healthy and left. It was a step in a better direction.
@carefulPineapple9901
It's a challenging situation, and it's important to approach it with care and concern. Here are some steps you might consider:
1. **Encourage Professional Help**: Suggest that your friend's husband encourage her to see a mental health professional. A trained therapist or counselor can provide a proper assessment and guidance on how to address her symptoms.
2. **Offer Support**: Let your friend's husband know that you're there for him and that you're concerned about her well-being. You can also provide emotional support to him during this difficult time.
3. **Educate Yourself**: Research about the signs and symptoms your friend is displaying. Understanding her condition can help you provide more informed support and guidance.
4. **Avoid Enabling**: While you want to be there for your friend, it's important not to enable unhealthy behaviors. Encourage her to seek professional help and provide information on available resources.
5. **Safety First**: If you believe your friend is in immediate danger or poses a risk to herself or others, consider involving a mental health crisis hotline or emergency services.
6. **Respect Boundaries**: If your friend's husband is seeking your input, share your observations and concerns while respecting their privacy and decisions as a couple.
7. **Encourage Communication**: Gently suggest that open and honest communication between your friend and her husband might be beneficial in understanding her needs and feelings.
8. **Consult a Professional**: If you're uncertain about how to proceed, consider seeking advice from a mental health professional or counselor yourself. They can offer guidance on how to best support your friend.
Remember, you're not a substitute for professional help, but offering empathy, understanding, and encouraging her to seek proper assistance can be very important.
Thank you. These are all really good points and I’m going to try and remember this when I hear from her again. I’m trying not to enable anything but pushing her to find help resulted in a very harsh response. It’s so hard to feel like you’re losing your friend but I’ll stay strong for her well-being.