Question

When you suspect someone you have to deal with has a mental disorder, what do you need to keep in mind to respond appropriately?

Answer 1

When one suspects another of having a mental disorder, one should first attempt to grasp an overview of the issues being faced by the individual. Mental illness usually come with a wide range of behavioural, emotional and cognitive symptoms but may not always be immediately apparent to the observer. The level of insight or awareness within an with respect to the issues can also be assessed. Once a preliminary understanding of the problem is acquired, identifying professionals to extend help would be the next step. This is because only a trained professional can legitimately diagnose a mental disorder and suggest the appropriate intervention measures for the same.