Encouraging Words for a Friend Dealing with Illness

Offering Encouragement for a Sick Individual

In supporting a loved one who is battling an illness, it's essential to approach the situation with sensitivity and understanding. Davina Tiwari, a social worker and certified solution-focused therapist, offers some valuable advice.

Unsolicited advice may not be appreciated, especially by those who've been living with an illness for a while. Instead, asking "What's the best way for me to support you?" can help find out exactly what a person needs. Focusing on the loved one and not one's own feelings can be beneficial.

Sending messages expressing love and support can be comforting. Offering to help with chores or errands can be a huge help, such as taking care of kids, doing laundry, cleaning the house, getting groceries, organizing a meal train, or even taking them to doctor's appointments. Offering suggestions for help takes the pressure off the sick person.

Active listening is an important part of being supportive. Reminding the sick person how important they are can help them feel valued. Engaging in deep conversations about unrelated topics can make them feel better. However, avoiding talking about one's own health issues when speaking with someone who's sick is crucial.

Tiwari suggests offering more support for more serious illnesses. Sharing in-depth stories about friends and family members with the same illness could be dismissive and invalidating. It's okay to admit not knowing what to say or do, as long as you offer help.

Statements like "I had that so much worse!", "You'll get over this in no time.", "Toughen up.", "It's not that big of a deal.", "Stop whining." may make a sick person feel as if they have to hide their illness. Instead, it's important to create a safe space where they can express their feelings without judgment.

Asking what not to do to respect the sick person's boundaries is also crucial. Doing too much talking or not giving space when needed can be overwhelming for the sick person. Making false promises of recovery is not helpful. Acting as a spokesperson for a sick person, with their consent, can relieve them of the burden of relaying information to others.

In conclusion, supporting a loved one through illness requires empathy, active listening, and a willingness to adjust our messaging based on the severity of the illness. Offering emotional support, help with practical tasks, and creating a safe space for open communication can make a significant difference in their journey.