Tips for Dealing with Difficult People for Better Mental Health

​We all have them in our lives … difficult people. Some may be brief encounters and you never see them again. But others are ongoing relationships that you may not be able to just walk away from. Whether it’s a coworker, neighbor or family member, what are some things you can do better manage interactions for your mental health?

Dealing with difficult people can create mental health concerns, including anxiety, depression, burnout and sleep challenges, and impact couples relationships, your career and more. Setting reasonable boundaries and expectations with difficult people is good for your mental health. One strategy is to determine what you think is reasonable in a given situation and consistently implement it. And by reasonable I mean what would most people think is fair and the right thing to do. Once you set in your mind that reasonable standard, it’s easier to implement in the moment even if it’s emotional, which it likely will be. Remind yourself that when you were calm and thinking rationally, you determined that this course of action was fair and reasonable, so even if the difficult person pushes back, you can calmly and firmly respond. 

If you’d like to learn more about setting boundaries with difficult people or other concerns, contact me for a free consultation.

Take care and be well,
Rich Lombino, Esq., LCSW
Therapist & Lawyer
Lombino Counseling LLC
(302) 273-0700 (Phone)
[email protected]
richlombino.com