If you have a loved one suffering from multiple mental health disorders, such as attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and depression, you're probably worried and frustrated and wish that he would take medicine to help relieve some of his symptoms. Some people struggling with mental health issues don't want to take medication for many reasons. For instance, they may not like the negative side effects and don't feel like themselves when taking medication. It can be hard to understand why someone might make this choice when they're in pain, but you can offer support for the person.
Step 1
Learn about the disorders. You'll need to know the signs, symptoms and ways that the person can relieve the symptoms of each disorder. This is especially important when dealing with depression, because someone with depression can go through major depressive episodes for a couple of weeks and then the depression can lift for a couple weeks; it's not constant. If you can recognize the first signs of depression, you can help the person before it gets worse.
Step 2
Encourage your loved one to go to therapy. Individual, family and group therapies can help people with ADHD and depression. If your loved one is hesitant to go to therapy, tell her you'll go with her to the first couple sessions. Once she becomes comfortable, she'll be able to go by herself.
Step 3
Seek support. It's extremely difficult to consistently help someone struggling with a mental health disorder, so you need to take care of yourself. You can seek your own individual therapy or join support groups of family members and friends of people with mental health issues.
Step 4
Ask other loved ones for support. Encourage them to learn about the signs and symptoms of these disorders and how they can help. If you're not the only person trying to help, it will ease your burden.
Step 5
Recognize that adults with ADHD have many positive characteristics. According to LivingWithADD.com, people with this disorder are creative, sensitive and intelligent. Help the person realize her positive characteristics and how to use them to better herself.
Step 6
Talk to your loved one about ways he can help himself. For example, it's extremely beneficial for someone struggling with depression or ADHD to exercise on a regular basis. Help him do this by meeting him after work at the gym and working out together.
Tips and Warnings
- Knowing the signs of depression--such as hopelessness, worthlessness, eating issues, insomnia and fatigue--is important because depression can lead to suicidal ideation. If you believe your loved one is considering suicide or if your loved one has made any suicidal statements, get help immediately. Take him to your local psychiatric emergency room, or call 911.
