Helping People with Psychological Disabilities

Becoming psychologically disabled can happen to anyone. Psychological disability is real and can have detrimental effects on personal experience, relationships, as well as professional and academic output. It can be a transient condition (such as depression) experienced for a few months or years. It can also be pervasive and remain for the rest of a person’s life (such as autism).

The stigma attached to this condition has forced people to suffer in silence. People who could have helped—family, relatives, friends—could underestimate the issue and dismiss significant manifestations. Another reason might be the sense of uncertainty about the signs and symptoms they have observed.

To help identify someone who might need professional help, we have listed conditions commonly noted among people with psychological disabilities. Showing at least two of these increases the possibility that a significant psychological condition is present. However, the last point by itself is a strong prompt to provide immediate attention.

• Sudden unexplainable change in behavior

Many significant psychological disorders may develop within the lifetime of an individual. Events that cause high distress may trigger a change in one’s behavior. A caveat is that it is possible for an event to be significantly distressing for one and yet be shrugged off by another. A dismissing attitude will not help or might even make it worse.

• Difficulty in managing emotions

Everyone feels anger, joy, sadness, and a whole gamut of emotions. For people with psychological disabilities, inability to manage emotions to adapt to a situation may signal the need for help. If the person has repeatedly shown the aforementioned at the expense of personal or working relationships, it may be a sign that the person needs help. The same goes with sadness, anxiety, and other emotions.

• Irrational thoughts and beliefs

Because of intense emotions, people may become unreasonable and their logic, flawed. That is why there are times that they regret doing or saying things when angry. However, when someone is persistently unreasonable and rigidly holds on to beliefs and illogical thoughts that may harm him or her or destroy relations with others, a more professional approach might be needed.

• Inability to adapt to ordinary life challenges

Failure is one of the most common challenges for students. It can range from failure to come to class punctually or failure to pass a subject. Failure is difficult to deal with and can be demotivating and yet, it can be enriching if handled in the right way. Change can also be considered a challenge. For example, a change in class schedule might make it necessary to change afterschool habits.

• Behavior that usually strains relationships

Small misunderstandings happen from time to time between friends or among family members. Usually these get resolved. A person who almost habitually acts in ways that result in conflict or a dismissing tendency may not respond to common conflict resolution strategies, especially when he or she has already become overbearing.

• Behavior that leads to inability to perform daily functions

Lackluster work or academic performance does not always reflect the natural aptitude of the person. Many times, emotional problems can interfere with the cognitive functions (such as learning, making decisions, or concentrating) needed to perform daily tasks at work and in studies. On the other hand, it may also reflect a sub-optimal functioning of cognitive skills as in the case of difficulty in focusing, comprehension,or decision making.

• Thoughts or attempts that endanger one’s life or those of others

Seek the help of a medical professional right away if someone you know is having thoughts of  suicide or of threatening the lives of others. Suicide attempts and similar threats should always be taken seriously.

 

A concerned friend, teacher, or family member accompanying them in their ordeal can help them cope with the situation. Here are some things that you can do to accompany people in psychological distress.

• Be accepting of the person as he or she is—with all the good and the bad. People in distress are usually receptive if others try to understand them or avoid labeling them. Genuine help starts with personal disposition.
• Try to get his or her side of the story. A good way to concretely show that you have listened is to summarize what you have heard. This is also a good opportunity to allow him or her to correct the way you understood what he or she said. Sometimes the person just needs someone who will listen. Or he or she may be trying to figure out what to do. Listening carefully will help you identify what he or she needs.
• If you have to focus on solutions, ask “What do you plan to do now?” It can prove helpful in many situations. Without dismissing the validity of his or her concern, gently lead the discussion to things that can be acted on.
• Avoid the temptation to solve the person’s problems for him or her. Helping someone does not mean dictating what he or she should do, unless he or she poses significant risk to others or to himself or herself.
• Ensure safety. Be aware of details or signs that a person might harm himself/herself or others. If there are signs or if you are unsure, it is better to directly ask the person if he or she has thoughts or intention of doing harm. As much as possible, stay with the person until his or her safety is assured. If you have to leave him or her, make sure that someone is watching over him or her.
• Take a break if you notice that it is already negatively affecting you. However, make sure the person is not left alone especially if the person has a risk for harming self or others. You have to keep yourself in shape if you want to continue helping. Do not make it seem, however, that you are disengaging or abandoning him or her.
• Refer him or her to the Guidance Office or other qualified professionals. Helping does not mean you have to solve everything. Many times, to be able to help others means you have to ask help yourself.

This article covers only the basics on identifying and helping people with psychological disabilities. You may get in touch with the Office for Student Mentoring, Guidance and Counseling at the second floor of CAS building or by calling 637-0912 local 365 or 300.