Have you ever wanted to say something straight, heartfelt and honest, something really important …but you hesitated, thinking of possibly adverse reactions to what you want to say?    You hesitate because your imagination - based on previous experience? - predicts possible anger?  Or grief and withdrawal?  Denial? A raised voice shouting at you?  Tears?  All of them?

Positive comments and praise are so much easier… people are usually delighted to hear positive feedback on what they’ve been doing! - though people low self-esteem often simply dismiss them as unbelievable.

But, no matter how important it is to draw someone’s attention to effects and consequences of their behaviour, finding the right words can be very difficult... particularly true if you're close to the person, even more so if their thinking and reactions may be clouded by their illness or condition.

This is where a 'crap sandwich' can be very useful...