I Am Not Sick I Don't Need Help! How to Help Someone with Mental Illness Accept Treatment

by Xavier Francisco Amador

1. Normalize the experience (“I would feel the same were if I was in your shoes.”). 2. Discuss only perceived problems/symptoms (Statements such as, “I can’t sleep at night because I’m constantly on guard. I am so afraid that they’re going to come and hurt me,” describe insomnia and paranoia stemming from a delusion. However, the words insomnia and delusion never need to be used in your discussions). 3. Review perceived advantages and disadvantages of treatment (whether rational or irrational). 4. Correct misconceptions (antipsychotic medications are not addictive; serious mental illness is not caused by one’s upbringing or use of illicit drugs). 5. Reflect back and highlight the perceived benefits (“So if I have it right, you’re saying that when you stay on the medication you sleep better and you fight less with your family?”). 6. Agree to disagree (whenever areas of disagreement are brought to the surface).