He’s a very close friend and I feel helpless. He’s not letting me in and I know he needs to talk, really really talk and asap. How do I get him to talk?
He’s a very close friend and I feel helpless. He’s not letting me in and I know he needs to talk, really really talk and asap. How do I get him to talk?
Hello, thank you for doing your best to want to get a friend to open up, especially in these trying times. Having people suddenly clam up can be overwhelming.
What I’ve generally found to work in instances like this is to offer support in ways that show solidarity, comfort and warmth.
Statements like “I am here for you when you’re ready”, “I understand that you may be going through a lot, I’m here when you need to speak”, “I can’t imagine how difficult this is for you, please take your time” can help your friend feel supported and reduce the pressure to share for you and for him.
People respond to stress and anxiety differently, often sadness and depression can bring about a lot of anxiety and overthinking and he may need time to process what is going on. Offering to be there when he’s ready, also shows that you’re acknowledging his space and still there when he’s ready. This may urge him to speak sooner and feel more connected and supported during the process.
I’m leaving three posts that may be helpful for you.
https://www.instagram.com/tv/CJKjRBKjUm6/?igshid=jtl8cb8jkcc6
https://www.instagram.com/p/B-WWScwg58J/?igshid=10wggs0xz6oug
https://www.instagram.com/p/CAYKbAQFLCQ/?igshid=7tdjag6jwpbc
I hope this helps 🙂 please take care. Know that you’re doing your best and that you matter. He probably just needs a little time to work through it and figure it out.
Hello, thank you for doing your best to want to get a friend to open up, especially in these trying times. Having people suddenly clam up can be overwhelming.
What I’ve generally found to work in instances like this is to offer support in ways that show solidarity, comfort and warmth.
Statements like “I am here for you when you’re ready”, “I understand that you may be going through a lot, I’m here when you need to speak”, “I can’t imagine how difficult this is for you, please take your time” can help your friend feel supported and reduce the pressure to share for you and for him.
People respond to stress and anxiety differently, often sadness and depression can bring about a lot of anxiety and overthinking and he may need time to process what is going on. Offering to be there when he’s ready, also shows that you’re acknowledging his space and still there when he’s ready. This may urge him to speak sooner and feel more connected and supported during the process.
I’m leaving three posts that may be helpful for you.
https://www.instagram.com/tv/CJKjRBKjUm6/?igshid=jtl8cb8jkcc6
https://www.instagram.com/p/B-WWScwg58J/?igshid=10wggs0xz6oug
https://www.instagram.com/p/CAYKbAQFLCQ/?igshid=7tdjag6jwpbc
I hope this helps 🙂 please take care. Know that you’re doing your best and that you matter. He probably just needs a little time to work through it and figure it out.