The following is from a series of tweets by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo:
When a person is mentally unbalanced, raging, obsessive behavior, they need professional help. They do not need enabling, which is more like “idiot compassion” in that the ill person never actually gets help.
Many times they make constant claims and display pitiful behavior, or rage on and nag, etc. We all do that childish stuff once in a while, but if the patient cannot stop or help themselves it is a sickness and intervention is needed. Usually a psychiatrist or caseworker is needed, especially if the patient has history of illness, or is the kind that harms themselves and/or others. Don’t participate in the sickness. They need help, not enabling. Don’t try to be a hero. Try not to make it about what you want. Tough love is good. Compliance with an illness is actually selfish. Wrong behavior needs to stop; one can be loving in a firm way, offering boundaries to those too sick to recognize any. Do what is needed, not what is easy. These people crave attention for poor performance. Don’t play. Get them the help they need before they hurt themselves or others. That is the best way.
Copyright © Jetsunma Ahkon Norbu Lhamo. All rights reserved
Great advice/ teaching, Jetsunma. Thank you!
Thank you, Jetsunma, for this (beyond words) teaching. As a member of the mental illnes sufferers, medication and therapy are essential aids to achieve the best balance in order to practice more effectively and surface from severe self-absorption. Tough love works, when there is no anger and judgement staining it. Look at Jetsunma’s example and follow it. True love and compassion is a goal of practice. Thank you and love to all. Ani Hesper