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How can I help a family member who is suffering from a mental disorder during confinement?

The confined situation can aggravate the previous mental disorders of
people who had already been presenting or developing one after the impact of the
abrupt and sudden change of routine adding also the situation of Covid-19 uncertainty.

That is why many families want to help and support the best way to their relatives who suffer from any mental problem.

The current situation generates emotional instability and to some extent it is normal be able to present moments of sadness, anguish, frustration, irritability and
boredom but today, we want to provide concrete strategies for family or people who are getting thru this confined with people who suffer from a mental disorder, such as depression and anxiety or with people who have developed a lot of instability due to the situation.

The guidelines we present here are general for all family members and despite
the individual differences that may occur, we consider now more than ever
that we can keep them more present:

• Listen to the affected person. In a vast majority of cases, feeling
  listened to and understood is a great relief for the affected person.
• Spend time with the affected person and try to distract themselves with a daily routine or more playful activities (if we do not live with this
  person, we shall resort to video calls and share activities to
  through this medium).
• Help them find the right professional help.
• Remind them that you are there when they need it.
• Encourage them and praise their efforts.
• Help them get organized over time and balance their work and personal life.
• Take time to learn about their problem and how they are living it.
• Don’t push to talk about things they don’t want to talk about right now.
• Help them by offering them small daily activities that they can carry out.
• Be in contact with them on a regular basis.

We understand the complicated situation that involves living with someone who suffers a mental disorder in the situation of social instability in which we are involved. That is why it is also important that the people who are giving this support, can take care of themselves, taking time when they need it, receiving professional help, maintaining a good healthy sleep routine, eating healthy and physical exercise in addition to becoming aware of the presence of best and worst moments in the recovery process.

Priscila Alarcón
Psycologist at Alejandra Hallin Medical Center.

April 14, 2020