Approach with care

Approach our parents calmly and gently, as they may already feel frightened or confused. Observe their behaviour for signs of distress or confusion and avoid sudden movements or loud tones that might make them more anxious. If their condition worsens or they mention hurting themselves or others, seek professional help immediately.

Listen without judgement

When speaking with your parent, focus on listening patiently and with compassion. Avoid dismissing their experiences as “not real” or “nonsense”, as this may worsen their condition. Instead, say something like, “I can see you are feeling upset. I am here for you”. By acknowledging their emotions without judgement, you help them feel understood and valued.

Give reassurance and encourage professional help

Reassure your parent that support is available and encourage them to see a mental healthcare professional. Let them know that managing psychosis often involves a combination of treatment, such as therapy or medication. If they are not willing, try to gently explain that seeking help can improve their well-being and maintain their independence.

Encourage self-care and familiar routines

Support your parent in feeling calm by suggesting relaxing and familiar activities. This could include a gentle walk, listening to their favourite music, or enjoying a hobby they love. Routine can be particularly soothing for older adults, so try to include regular activities that bring them comfort. Whenever you can, join them to offer companionship and reassurance.

Approach with kindness

It's important to talk to our parents in a supportive, non-judgmental way. We can express our love and concern while gently addressing behaviours we’ve noticed and how they impact the family.

Encourage professional help

Addictions can be treated, and professional support can make a huge difference. We can help our parents find resources and support them through their recovery.

Encourage our parents to seek alternative healthier coping strategies or activities

Help them explore new hobbies or activities, like going for walks, having a picnic, playing board games, or watching a movie. Spending time with others can help provide positive distractions from addiction.

Be patient and understanding

Depression can drain a person’s energy and drive. At times, our parents might appear irritable, impatient, or say hurtful things but try to not take it to heart as these may be due to their condition and not necessarily directed at us. For older parents, we should be careful not to dismiss some of these symptoms as part of ageing.

Here are other things to take note of when our parents are not acting in their usual ways:

• Empathise with them
• Know that they are trying their best
• Do not judge or criticise them
• Avoid telling them to be positive or “snap out of it”
• Refrain from blaming them or pressuring them to get well soon

Look out for warning signs of suicide

People with depression may have an increased risk of suicide. Be prepared by knowing the concerning behaviours to look out for. If our parents display any signs of suicide, take it seriously and consider seeking professional support.

Manage our expectations and recognise small improvements

Give our parents the time that they need to improve. Their progress may sometimes seem insignificant to us (e.g. a decrease rather than complete stop in excessively long showers), but it might have taken a lot for them to accomplish.

We can encourage them to keep trying by consistently acknowledging their small accomplishments and praising them.

Avoid scolding or forcing them to stop their compulsive behaviours

Try to remain open and refrain from making negative remarks about their behaviours. Doing so might negatively affect our relationship instead of helping them. Show our support by lending a listening ear and encouraging them to share about their struggles.

Be mindful not to accommodate their obsessive thoughts and compulsions

Avoid offering assurance about their intrusive thoughts or helping them perform certain rituals as it will not be in their best interest in the long term.

It is important to continue maintaining usual routines while not reinforcing OCD behaviours. We can also consider bringing our parents to seek professional help if it interferes with their daily lives.

Understand that supporting avoidance or forcing confrontation are not solutions

Avoidance is not helpful for their anxiety in the long run. Try not to help our parents avoid situations that they are fearful of (e.g. by taking over their task so they can avoid doing them).

However, remember to practise discretion when doing this. If they start to show extreme fear, refrain from forcing them to confront the fear as it could cause them additional distress and affect their trust in us.

Encourage them to focus on things that they can control

Help our parents learn to identify what they can and cannot control. Being able to divert their attention and energy towards what can be controlled will help them improve their situation.

Refrain from asking them to stop worrying

Lend our parents a listening ear and validate their feelings instead of asking them to stop worrying. Let them know that it is okay not to be okay at times. We can also guide them to refocus their attention on other activities, like taking a walk, listening to music or going to a quiet corner where they can calm down.

Make plans to prepare for difficult episodes

Mood episodes can be unpredictable and last for days, weeks, or even longer. This can disrupt and cause significant challenges to the daily lives of our parents. Help them identify their triggers, symptoms, and warning signs to discuss ways we can help them to better manage their episodes.

Encourage them to seek treatment

Bipolar disorder can be effectively treated with medication and support from healthcare professionals. Reassure our parents and let them know that we will be there to support them. We can also help them adhere to their prescribed treatments by attending appointments with them or reminding them to take their medications.

Be aware of the warning signs of suicide

Our parents with bipolar disorder may have an increased risk of suicide. We can stay alert and prepared by learning to look out for concerning behaviours.