How can you support a family member who feels misunderstood?

Acredito que a primeira forma de ajudar é ouvir com respeito. Sem julgamentos. E após perguntar como a pessoa gostaria de receber ajuda.

Supporting a misunderstood family member parallels marketing strategies: 1. Targeted Communication: Listen first, then offer tailored support. 2. Brand Loyalty: Show consistent empathy to build trust. 3. Product Differentiation: Highlight their unique qualities. 4. Customer Feedback: Gather insights to adjust your approach. 5. Brand Advocacy: Stand up for them and validate their feelings. 6. Market Research: Stay informed to offer relevant support.

The first most important thing is to really listen - they need their feelings to be heard and validated. It is sometimes hard for people to not interrupt or step into solution mode - it is important that you don't do this. Ask open ended questions or clarify what you have heard if you need to - but it is critical you create a safe, comfortable space for them to be heard ( not while you are multi-tasking, in a rush or in a crowded place). Give them your full attention and don't try and downplay the issue or dismiss their feelings - this is where you need to flex uber empathy and just listen !

Give Attention: Give them your full attention and validate their feelings without judgment. Empathize: Try to understand their perspective and show empathy towards their experiences. Communicate Openly: Encourage them to express themselves openly and assure them of your support. Offer Practical Help: Assist them in finding solutions or accessing resources that could alleviate their situation. Be Patient: Allow them time to process their emotions and offer your ongoing support. Seek Professional Help: If needed, suggest seeking guidance from a therapist or counselor to address deeper issues.

I would like to bring the concept of "distanced empathy" into the discussion here. ?? Wait a second- distanced empathy? Distanced empathy in the family may seem unsympathetic at first, but it is a form of caring that promotes emotional balance. In family contexts, distanced empathy enables us to respond to the needs of others without exhausting ourselves emotionally. By acknowledging the feelings of others without taking over emotionally, you protect yourself and remain supportive in the long term. This balance allows you to effectively meet the needs of your family without overburdening them, and helps you to care for yourself as well as others.

Haz la pregunta y anima a la persona a hablar con total confianza y soltura. La mayoría de las veces ante un problema de sentirse incomprendido la mejor solución es escuchar, esto es lo que le proporcionará más apoyo a la otra parte, porque se sentirá valorado. Dirige tus preguntas hacia sus sentimientos, animándolo a hablar desde el "yo" y sobre todo guardando silencios para que siga expresándose.

Asking open-ended questions can allow the person to further describe their feelings and the situation. It build rapport and confidence that you are listening and you are interested in what they are sharing . Do not overdo it - if they are free flowing with feelings, the worst thing you can do is interrupt that with an awkward question. First and foremost listen, and then provide support through open questions to consider all of the surrounding elements of the issue, and allow the person to gain perspective but through their own lens.

I can't emphasise this enough - listen. Listen not to respond but to understand. Listen for as long as it takes. Deepen the understanding beyond the obvious and ask open questions with no judgement. Your opinion often plays no part in this - only your empathy and solicited response. Any guidance must be bespoke to that person...

Always let them know that you are in their corner. Thank them for sharing with you their personal challenges. Agree what their next steps will be and what you will do to support them moving forward ( it could be a check in call, an update on key actions they have taken away , or guiding them to other support areas if they need it . ) Never leave it just at the initial conversation, the follow through is important as it shows you care, let's them know they have your support and if they have come to you in the first place, they are counting on you to be there for them .

Validating feelings is important. Without a question. However, validating feelings without signaling agreement with the resulting actions is complex. This is because acknowledging another's emotions can be misconstrued as agreeing with their opinions or behaviors. In emotionally charged situations, it is particularly important to make it clear that while you understand and respect the feelings, you do not necessarily support the conclusions or actions the other person wishes to draw from them. This clear distinction helps to show genuine empathy without sending the wrong signals and avoids misunderstandings by emphasizing that understanding does not equal agreement.

How do you recognize a misunderstanding? It is rarely said so clearly... To recognize misunderstandings in communication, look out for signs such as unexpected reactions or confusion on the part of the other person. Frequent questions or discrepancies in answers can also indicate communication problems. Non-verbal signals such as averted eyes or annoyed behavior are often an indicator of misunderstandings. If the other party feels increasingly frustrated or irritated, this indicates that communication is not clear. To be on the safe side, ask whether your message has been understood and rephrase your points if necessary.