Family and friends, particularly those in your inner circle, play a crucial role in your life, providing support during both joyful and challenging times. Their compliments, encouragement, and comfort can lift you when you’re feeling down. It’s essential to have people around who either understand your condition or are willing to learn about it.
However, if friends and family are unsupportive—blaming you for your behavior or making thoughtless remarks—it can be deeply discouraging. Lacking support from your social network is tough, but there are ways to find the understanding and assistance you need. Seek out supportive communities, whether in-person or online, and don’t hesitate to reach out to professionals who can offer guidance and support. Remember, you are not alone, and there are people and resources available to help you through difficult times.
1. Realize not everyone can understand the same
There are a lot of reasons why people do not understand their family members, relatives or friends. If you feel like you have no support from family, it is important to acknowledge that first, there may be a reason behind their feelings that has nothing to do with you. Their behavior towards you may be deeply ingrained and automatic and have nothing to do with you as a person.
2. Treat yourself better than earlier
Finding the support you need often begins with self-care. Even if your family isn’t supportive, you can become your own greatest advocate. Cultivate kindness and gentleness towards yourself, maintaining a positive inner dialogue. Pay attention to your self-talk and ensure it reflects encouragement and positivity. Your relationship with yourself sets the tone for how you navigate challenges and seek support from others.
If you find yourself getting trapped in a negative thoughts, repeating negative things about yourself, or ruminating over things that have gone wrong, look for ways to turn those thoughts around or interrupt the cycle. Finding ways to distract yourself can help.
3. You also can treat yourself well by looking for opportunities for self-care, such as doing things that improve your mood or caring for your body.
Taking a hot bath
Reading a good book
Creating a bullet journal
Talking with a friend
Another reason you might feel like you have no support from family might be do to some of the many myths and misconceptions about the condition. Don’t get into the misconceptions about feeling low. Changing mood is not a sign of weakness or laziness.
Remind yourself of this fact when people disappoint you or are unable to be there for you. Most of the time, their lack of availability or concern has more to do with them than it does with you. Try not to take it personally.
If the people in your life are not giving you the love and support you need, try expanding your social support circle, whether that means seeking help from a professional support or joining an online or in-person support group.
Finding support during challenging times, especially when facing a lack of understanding or encouragement from family and friends, is crucial for maintaining well-being. Remember that support can come from various sources, including within yourself. By practicing self-compassion, seeking out supportive communities, and reaching out to professionals when needed, you can build a network of understanding and encouragement. Ultimately, know that you are not alone, and there are resources and people available to help you navigate life’s ups and downs with strength and resilience.
