What do you do when a loved one refuses treatment?

Asked by: Aidan Goyette  |  Last update: September 2, 2025
Score: 4.1/5 (32 votes)

Remain open. When someone refuses to get help, it's normal to want to stop offering assistance. But you can continue to maintain an open dialogue with your loved one to help keep the door to future treatment open. Respect their boundaries, but let them know that you'll remain a support to them.

How to help someone who refuses to go to therapy?

How to Gently Convince Your Friend to Go to Therapy
  • Don't try to force them. ``You can't pressure someone to get into treatment,'' says Suzanne Klein, a psychologist based in the Bay Area.
  • Talk straight.
  • Frame it with care.
  • Stress that they'll have their privacy.
  • If you can't get them to go, prioritize yourself.

When should you walk away from a family member with a mental illness?

If the relationship becomes too emotionally draining, affects your own mental health negatively, or if there's a pattern of toxic behavior that doesn't improve despite attempts to help, it may be time to consider walking away.

What is the hardest mental illness to live with?

Borderline personality disorder is one of the most painful mental illnesses since individuals struggling with this disorder are constantly trying to cope with volatile and overwhelming emotions.

How do you deal with a mentally unstable family member?

How to support someone with a mental health problem
  1. Talking about mental health. ...
  2. Set time aside with no distractions. ...
  3. Let them share as much or as little as they want to. ...
  4. Don't try to diagnose or second guess their feelings. ...
  5. Keep questions open ended. ...
  6. Talk about self-care. ...
  7. Listen carefully to what they tell you.

What To Do When A Loved One Refuses Help & Treatment?

16 related questions found

Who to call if a family member is having a mental breakdown?

Get advice from 111 or ask for an urgent GP appointment if:

Get help from 111 online or call 111 and select the mental health option. 111 will tell you the right place to get help.

What is considered a mentally unstable person?

An inability to cope with problems or daily activities. Lack of connection with or withdrawal from daily activities. Exaggerated beliefs or thinking that's not based in reality. A large amount of fear or nervousness.

What mental disorders get worse with age?

Personality disorders that are susceptible to worsening with age include paranoid, schizoid, schizotypal, obsessive compulsive, borderline, histrionic, narcissistic, avoidant, and dependent, Dr. Rosowsky said at a conference sponsored by the American Society on Aging.

What does a BPD meltdown look like?

BPD Meltdown

These episodes involve intense emotional reactions that can be triggered by stress, rejection, or perceived abandonment. During a meltdown, people may experience extreme mood swings, impulsivity, and difficulty calming down.

What is the most damaging mental illness?

Out of all the mental disorders including depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder, which do you think is the deadliest? A review of nearly fifty years of research confirms that Anorexia Nervosa has the highest mortality rate of all mental illnesses (Arcelus, Mitchel, Wales, & Nelson, 2011).

What is the 3 month rule in mental health?

A healthcare provider may apply the “three-month rule” regarding a patient's well-being. In this instance, a patient can be forced to enter a psychiatric hospital. From here, hospital staff may try to keep the patient against their will for up to three months before they consider letting the patient leave.

Is mental illness inherited from mother or father?

Mental disorders are the result of both genetic and environmental factors. There is no single genetic switch that when flipped causes a mental disorder. Consequently, it is difficult for doctors to determine a person's risk of inheriting a mental disorder or passing on the disorder to their children.

When should you stop helping a family member?

When It's Best To Stop Helping Someone
  • Lack of Reciprocity. ...
  • Repeated Boundary Violations. ...
  • Unwillingness to Help Themselves. ...
  • Emotional Exhaustion. ...
  • Toxic or Harmful Behavior. ...
  • Clear Signs of Manipulation. ...
  • Personal Growth and Change.

What to do if someone refuses treatment?

Consider the tips below to help make the situation less stressful.
  1. Be understanding. Approach the topic with an acceptance of how they feel. ...
  2. Learn why they're hesitant. Maybe they're afraid of seeing doctors in general. ...
  3. Offer to go with them. ...
  4. Explore home visits.

How to stop enabling someone with mental illness?

Empowering Support: How to Avoid Enabling Mental Health Patients
  1. Educate Yourself about Mental Health. ...
  2. Encourage Professional Help. ...
  3. Set Healthy Boundaries. ...
  4. Avoid Rescuing Behaviors. ...
  5. Practice Active Listening. ...
  6. Promote Independence. ...
  7. Support Their Treatment Plan. ...
  8. Be Patient and Non-Judgmental.

What to say when someone doesn't want to go to therapy?

Establish Warmth and Willingness to Help:

Send a clear message that you are not blaming them for their decision. Offer time and willingness to listen to their fears, worries, and problems. This helps them feel validated and cared for, even if they refuse therapy at the moment.

What are BPD eyes?

Dissociation and Emotional Dysregulation in BPD

This might manifest as a "glazed-over" or "empty" look in their eyes, hence the term "empty eyes." This phenomenon is also associated with depersonalization or derealization, where individuals feel detached from themselves or their surroundings.

How do you snap out of a BPD episode?

How Can I Stop A BPD Episode?
  1. Listen to relaxing music.
  2. Exercise – do some yoga or take a long walk.
  3. Find support with a loved one or a friend.
  4. Practice mindfulness – meditate and breathe deeply.

What not to do with someone with BPD?

Don't…
  • Make threats and ultimatums that you can't carry out. As is human nature, your loved one will inevitably test the limits you set. ...
  • Tolerate abusive behavior. No one should have to put up with verbal abuse or physical violence. ...
  • Enable the person with BPD by protecting them from the consequences of their actions.

What are the hardest mental illnesses to live with?

What Is the Hardest Mental Illness to Live With?
  • Schizophrenia.
  • Severe Bipolar Disorder.
  • Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)
  • Major Depression and Treatment-Resistant Depression.
  • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
  • Eating Disorders.
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
  • So, What is the hardest mental illness to live with?

What is end stage bipolar?

Individuals in this stage often experience severe challenges in daily functioning, marked by persistent and intense mood swings that may become increasingly difficult to manage. It's important to recognize the signs and symptoms associated with the end stage to provide appropriate support and care.

What is the first red flag of bipolar disorder?

Timely identification is crucial for managing bipolar disorder effectively. Look out for these early symptoms: 1. Mood Swings: Experiencing intense highs to extreme lows, which are more frequent and interfere with daily activities and sleep.

How to get someone mental help when they refuse?

However, if you believe that your loved one may be a danger to himself or to others because of a mental condition, in California, for example, you may want to consider a 5150 hold. A 5150 hold refers to Section 5150 of the California Welfare Institutions Code.

What is the most painful mental illness?

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) has long been believed to be a disorder that produces the most intense emotional pain and distress in those who have this condition. Studies have shown that borderline patients experience chronic and significant emotional suffering and mental agony.