Psychological Disorders - Role of Near and Dear

While the roles of a clinical psychologist and psychiatrist are not to be forgotten and neglected,there is a lot to be done by the near and dear to augment the professional help in mending the things.

 

The effective tools available for the care takers in dealing with health disorders like anxiety, depression, OCD (Obsessive–compulsive disorder) bi polar disorder are talking,explaining,narrating,instilling(confidence),sympathising,hugging, cuddling, caressing,counselling and consoling,motivating as excessive thinking, fears, phobias, introversion, aloofness, rumination,repetitive gestures,heightened and subdued spirits etc form an integral role in these with an inability to maintain an emotional balance.Introversion and depression often go together while either being the cause and the other, the effect ! 

 

Stephen Hawking’s statement that ‘quiet people have the loudest minds’ perhaps applies well to introverts and the depressed as they have loud and chaotic minds,engrossed in their own world.They give too little vent to their feelings and it is probable that stress builds up. It is important to see that depressed and anxious people are not left alone. Depression, if left untreated may lead to suicidal tendencies too. Cognisance and knowledge of factors that contribute to or aggravate the symptoms plays a crucial role in the management of the problem.So the near and dear have a great role to play in extending the needed support to supplement  the role of a professional help.

 

Another important aspect to be kept in mind is that a person with anxiety or depression may not respond to act on your commands such as :“read a book” or “listen to music “or “go out for a stroll” or “sit in the sunlight for a while” etc which are indeed good but the funniest part is if they are capable of doing such things, they may not be depressed and need our presence or help. So those who are close to, must read a few lines outward in a pleasant way or play a song or take him for a walk etc. In my opinion, this forms the most important part of counselling and caressing.