How to Respond to Insensitive Remarks about Mental Illness

Julie A. Fast once told her dad that she disliked being single but felt like it was the best option at the time. “I just get too anxious with dating.” He replied, “Well, no one wants to have a relationship with someone with bipolar disorder.” Even close family can make insensitive remarks about mental illness from time to time. (We covered nine common comments here.) “I know for sure that he was not trying to be mean. He simply wasn’t thinking,” said Fast, a coach who works with loved ones of people with bipolar disorder, and author of bestselling books on the disorder, including Taking Charge of Bipolar Disorder. But these comments still sting. And they can nick an already slim sense of self, which is likely bruised from your own biting inner critic. Yet, while these statements do hurt, they don’t have to affect you — at least not so significantly. Below are several constructive ways for dealing with insensitive or ignorant remarks. Acknowledge & Correct the Comment “The solution is to acknowledge what the person said so that they know you are not attacking them and then correct them so they don’t say it again,” said Fast, who also pens a blog on bipolar disorder. She gave this sample response regarding her dad: “Dad. It may seem that people don’t want to go out with someone who has bipolar disorder, but I’ve never experienced this. The guys I have gone out with are usually amazed at how well I handle things. The dating issue is about ...
Source: World of Psychology - Category: Psychiatrists and Psychologists Authors: Tags: Disorders Family General Parenting Relationships Self-Help Amp Bestselling Books Bipolar Bipolar Disorder blog Circumstances Coach Dad Dating Extreme Anxiety Inner Critic Insensitive Remarks Mental Illness Nbsp Pens Source Type: blogs