How to Encourage a Family Member to Seek Mental Health Treatment?

How to persuade family members to seek medical attention?

My sister has had communication issues since childhood, but we used to think it was just a phase of childhood stubbornness that our parents overlooked.
However, now that she is an adult (20 years old), she remains indifferent, taciturn, avoids eye contact during interactions, and struggles with normal socialization.
She has few friends and is distant from family.
She also holds some cognitive biases that differ from common knowledge in modern society, and despite what family and teachers say, she stubbornly believes her own thoughts.
Currently, she is retaking exams but refuses to attend a review class (I suspect she resists changes in her environment) and prefers to stay at home, studying very little and often immersing herself in her own world online.
I am concerned that my sister may have issues related to autism.
I previously suggested that she talk to a doctor or psychologist, but she refused.
Doctor, how can I persuade her to seek medical help?

Mu Mu, 20~29 year old female. Ask Date: 2023/12/24

Dr. Qiu Junda reply Psychiatry

Hello.
You might consider the possibility that you are experiencing emotional distress and would like to visit a psychosomatic clinic to consult with a physician or therapist.
However, you may feel hesitant to go alone and hope that your sister can accompany you.
During your appointment, you can look for opportunities to observe the process.

Reply Date: 2023/12/24

More Info

Encouraging a family member to seek mental health treatment can be a challenging and sensitive process, especially when the individual is resistant to the idea. In your case, your sister's behaviors and attitudes suggest that she may be struggling with social interaction and possibly other underlying issues. Here are some strategies that you can consider to help her feel more comfortable with the idea of seeking help.

1. Open Communication
Start by fostering an open and non-judgmental dialogue with your sister. It’s essential to create a safe space where she feels comfortable expressing her thoughts and feelings. Instead of directly suggesting that she needs help, ask her how she feels about her current situation and if there are things she wishes were different. This approach can help her feel heard and understood, which may make her more receptive to the idea of seeking help.

2. Normalize Mental Health Treatment
Many people have misconceptions about mental health treatment, viewing it as a sign of weakness or failure. You can help normalize the idea of seeking help by discussing mental health openly within your family. Share stories of individuals who have benefited from therapy or counseling, emphasizing that seeking help is a proactive step towards better mental health, just like seeing a doctor for a physical ailment.

3. Use Relatable Reasons for Seeking Help
Sometimes, framing the conversation around more relatable issues can help. For instance, you might suggest that she see a therapist to improve her study habits or to manage stress related to her re-examinations. This way, the focus is on practical benefits rather than labeling her as needing mental health treatment.

4. Involve Trusted Individuals
If there are other family members, friends, or teachers whom she trusts, consider involving them in the conversation. Sometimes, hearing the same message from multiple sources can help reinforce the idea that seeking help is a positive step.

5. Suggest a Trial Session
If she is open to the idea, propose that she attend just one session with a mental health professional. Frame it as a casual conversation rather than a formal therapy session. This can reduce the pressure she may feel about committing to ongoing treatment.

6. Address Her Concerns
If she has specific fears or misconceptions about therapy, address those directly. For example, if she believes that therapy will force her to change who she is, reassure her that therapy is about understanding oneself better and finding ways to cope with challenges, not about changing her identity.

7. Be Patient and Supportive
Change takes time, and it’s essential to be patient with her. Continue to offer your support and understanding, even if she initially rejects the idea of seeking help. Let her know that you are there for her, regardless of her decisions.

8. Educate Yourself and Her
Providing her with resources about mental health, such as articles, videos, or books, can help her understand her situation better. Sometimes, knowledge can empower individuals to seek help on their own.

9. Professional Intervention
If her condition seems to worsen or if you feel she may be at risk of harming herself or others, it may be necessary to seek professional intervention. This could involve contacting a mental health professional for advice on how to handle the situation or, in extreme cases, seeking emergency help.

Conclusion
Encouraging a family member to seek mental health treatment requires empathy, patience, and understanding. By fostering open communication, normalizing the conversation around mental health, and providing support, you can help your sister feel more comfortable with the idea of seeking help. Remember, the goal is to empower her to make her own decisions about her mental health while ensuring she knows that support is available when she is ready to accept it.

Similar Q&A

Encouraging Depressed Loved Ones to Seek Help Without Hurting Their Pride

A family member is experiencing mental instability following the death of their spouse, believing they are being haunted by spirits. They frequently burn joss paper and often hide under the blankets. I would like to ask the doctor what methods can be used to encourage the patient...

Dr. Chen Wenke reply Psychiatry
Hello, Ms. Hu: It can be quite challenging to deal with individuals who have issues but are unwilling to seek medical attention. However, there are several approaches you might consider. Based on your description, your family member may exhibit symptoms of a mental disorder. Typi...

How to Encourage a Family Member with Mental Health Issues to Seek Help?

Dear Dr. Chen, My brother has been exhibiting a series of erratic behaviors in recent years due to significant workplace stress. He feels that he is being conspired against, which led to him losing his job. Even after finding new employment, he continues to encounter strange peo...

Dr. Chen Wenyu reply Psychiatry
Hello, A-mei: Undoubtedly, your brother is currently a "severely ill patient" (at risk of self-harm or harm to others) and urgently needs treatment. The hospital is a medical institution, not a legal one, and psychiatric hospitalization is generally considered a form of...

How to Encourage a Loved One with Mental Health Issues to Seek Help

Regarding the topic, a friend’s mother exhibits several characteristics suggestive of bipolar disorder, such as extreme irritability, impulsive spending, loud speech, frequent outbursts, and an inability to tolerate jokes at her expense. There was even an incident where, while dr...

Dr. Liang Sunyuan reply Psychiatry
When advising an elder to seek medical attention, it is generally more effective if they feel our concern for their well-being and our desire to help them alleviate their troubles. If they perceive our approach as accusatory or belittling, they may become defensive or angry. It i...

Supporting Family Members with Mental Illness: Effective Strategies for Ongoing Care

Dear Doctor, First of all, thank you for taking the time to read and respond to my letter amidst your busy schedule. I have a family member who is a moderate mental health patient (specifically exhibiting symptoms such as irritability, suspicion, a tendency to argue, binge eatin...

Dr. Chen Guangpeng reply Psychiatry
Hello, Little P: Based on your description, it seems that there may be a family member with paranoid schizophrenia in your home, exhibiting both positive symptoms (such as delusions) and negative symptoms (like deterioration in daily living habits). The necessity for treatment ca...