One of the most emotionally challenging parts of life is watching a person you love suffer. You see this person wrapped up in a sickness (addiction, unhealthy relationship, self-sabotage, you name it), and the person just can’t or won’t get help for themselves. Meanwhile, you watch the unravel happen. You spend many moments in anxiety, or outright fear for this other person. No matter what you say, or do, just doesn’t seem to get through. You secretly hope the next negative consequence will be enough to change things, and then it doesn’t…
So, what can you do? The only answer, get help for yourself. Here is why:
· You can learn coping skills to reduce your own anxiety
You can learn tools to keep you from enabling the sick person to stay sick
· You can learn how to focus your energy on yourself and your own goals
· One of the best motivators for people who are sick is seeing someone else ask for help
· You can find acceptance and peace, even if the other person never changes
The opinions expressed in this article are of the author and not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any mental or physical condition. If you are struggling, please contact your healthcare provider, the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255 or the Stepping Stone Community Services at 330-577-6656.