03-01-2017, 01:06 PM
Do what you can to remain calm yourself.
If the situation makes YOU anxious and angry, try to talk through these emotions with someone else (or even this forum), so that you can communicate with your relative and his wife from a position of attentive and supportive concern.
Gentle concern is generally more effective than angry manipulation. Even people who are not typically angry manipulators can find themselves falling into that mode under stress.
Maintain contact with them as much as you can, and make sure to talk about everyday matters, not focusing on the S word. Every one is different, and it can be difficult to strike the right note, especially if you don't know the person well and are far away.
Suggesting that a professional might help him get "through" this is generally more effective than language indicating he needs to be fixed or healed.
If the situation makes YOU anxious and angry, try to talk through these emotions with someone else (or even this forum), so that you can communicate with your relative and his wife from a position of attentive and supportive concern.
Gentle concern is generally more effective than angry manipulation. Even people who are not typically angry manipulators can find themselves falling into that mode under stress.
Maintain contact with them as much as you can, and make sure to talk about everyday matters, not focusing on the S word. Every one is different, and it can be difficult to strike the right note, especially if you don't know the person well and are far away.
Suggesting that a professional might help him get "through" this is generally more effective than language indicating he needs to be fixed or healed.