My loved one doesn't want medication or therapy/won't leave the house - How can I get them the help they need?
While you may care for someone’s well-being and believe you know what’s best for them, adults maintain the legal right to make decisions about their treatment.
There could be many reasons why a person decides not to engage in treatment or rely on only some treatment options. Some people decide not to take psychiatric medication because of unpleasant side effects, or they decide to manage their symptoms on their own. Some people don’t think therapy helps. What’s important is that the person is living a life that brings them satisfaction and happiness.
However, without treatment some people aren’t able to achieve the type of life they’d like to have. In this case, a relationship built on trust will put you in a better position to discuss the benefits of participating in treatment and how it may help them achieve their life goals.
Lack of Awareness – How to Communicate with Your Loved One
Often an individual living with a mental health diagnosis – particularly one that involves serious mental health conditions such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder (or one complicated by a substance use disorder) – may be unaware of their illness. This is known as anosognosia [ah-no-zog-nosha], and it can render the individual unable to recognize that they have a mental health condition and/or that they need to seek help. This is especially troubling for families and friends who are often responsible for providing care for their loved one.
To learn techniques for communicating with your loved one, and to help them agree to partner in their recovery, we would recommend reading “ I Am Not Sick, I Don't Need Help!" a book by psychologist Dr. Xavier Amador. In his book, Dr. Amador discusses the condition of anosognosia and outlines strategies for communicating (using the LEAP Approach) with a loved one to help them work toward recovery. Portions of the book are accessible to the public on our website and the full book is available in English and Spanish for purchase at online booksellers.
A broader discussion of the strategies of Dr. Amador’s LEAP approach, including videos on how to apply the LEAP approach, are also available for free.
My Loved One Won’t Leave the House to be Evaluated – What Are My Options?
An alternative option to consider: a Mobile Crisis Unit (MCU) or, Mobile Crisis Rapid Response Team, is an emergency mental health service offered by many (but not all) counties across the nation to provide on-scene evaluation, treatment, and crisis intervention in the community. MCU teams specialize in providing these services to individuals who are experiencing a mental health emergency and who need, but are unwilling or unable to seek, mental health treatment.
While the goal of the MCU is to enlist the individual’s cooperation and develop the least restrictive treatment options, the MCU is authorized to recommend and facilitate involuntary hospitalization and treatment when necessary.
The criteria for requesting an MCU varies depending upon the county or city mental health agency. However, a person experiencing a mental health crisis that presents a danger of harm to self or others — and is unwilling or unable to accept emergency services — would qualify for mobile crisis services. If you are unsure about the availability of mobile crisis services in your area, or when it’s appropriate to call, inquire about emergency mental health services in your county by dialing 211.
Being Prepared for a Mental Health Crisis
Being prepared for a mental health crisis by learning about resources and support services allows you to act fast and make good decisions. You may find the information in NAMI’s publication, “Navigating a Mental Health Crisis" helpful.
We would also urge you to read through the information on our webpage, “Being Prepared for a Crisis.” There, you will learn about developing a wellness recovery action plan (WRAP), which can be very helpful in planning your loved one’s overall care and how to avoid a crisis.
Taking Care of Yourself
Often, when trying to care for a loved one, we forget to take care of ourselves. You may find the information under the “Family Members and Caregivers" section of our website useful. There, among other topics, you will learn about supporting recovery, and taking care of yourself.
Hours of operation Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. EST
Call: 800-950-NAMI (6264)
Text: 62640
Webchat: www.nami.org/help
Email: helpline@nami.org