Mental health articles

How to deal with difficult behaviours how to deal with difficult behaviors at work
Sleeping or withdrawing a lot of the time, or sleeping at odd times

Leave the person alone but make some contact whenever he or
she comes out of their room to let them know you are there if
they need you

Gently encourage passive activities that are not too demanding
(e.g. watching TV, going for a short walk)

Occasionally offer a cup of tea or coffee

Slowly ask the person to get up earlier in the day and to do
more things. Offer something to enjoy when he or she gets up,
like a tempting breakfast or pleasant music

Praise him or her for getting up
If the person has beenwell for some time and develops sleeping difficulties
or begins to withdraw again, contact his or her clinician. This behaviour
could be a sign of relapsing.

Inactivity and not feeling like doing anything

Leave the person alone if he or she does not want to do anything

If the person says they are bored, offer or suggest some simple
activity such as listening to music or watching a video

Try different activities to find out what the person will enjoy

Try to have a regular daily routine so that things are
predictable and encourage him or her to join in or follow this
daily routine

When the person starts getting better, give him or her simple
daily chores to do. Break chores into small steps if they are difficult

Try to make allowances for the person if he or she needs to do
things like eating at unusual times
Offer rewards and praise for the times when the person does the chores, even if the chores are not done perfectly

Get advice from the person’s clinician about when he is ready
to do various things and how to encourage him to do these things

Try not to nag or criticize the person and don’t label the
person as ‘lazy’ – this label doesn’t help either of you

Try not to wear yourself out doing everything for the person

Tags: difficult behaviors