The Ring Theory - What to Say

General Caregiving 101
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A few years ago, psychologist Susan Silk and her friend Barry Goldman wrote a piece about a concept they called the “Ring Theory.”

It’s a theory to help yourself know what to do in a crisis. If the crisis is happening to you, you’re in the center of the ring. If the crisis is not happening to you, you’re in one of the outer circles.

Here are the basic tenets paraphrased from Silk and Goodman’s article:

  1. Draw a circle. In this circle, write the name of the person at the center of the crisis.
  2. Now draw a larger circle around the first one. In this ring, put the name of the person next closest to the crisis.
  3. In each larger ring, put the next closest people. As Silk and Goodman state, “Parents and children before more distant relatives. Intimate friends in smaller rings, less intimate friends in larger ones.”
    image
    Illustration by Wes Bausmith
    Source: Illustration by Wes Bausmith
    They go on to say, “When you are done, you have a Kvetching Order.

Here are the rules:

The person in the center ring can say anything she wants to anyone, anywhere. She can kvetch and complain and whine and moan and curse the heavens and say, ‘Life is unfair’ and ‘Why me?’ That’s the one payoff for being in the center ring.

Everyone else can say those things too, but only to people in larger rings.

When you are talking to a person in a ring smaller than yours, someone closer to the center of the crisis, the goal is to help. Listening is often more helpful than talking. But if you’re going to open your mouth, ask yourself if what you are about to say is likely to provide comfort and support. If it isn’t, don’t say it. Don’t, for example, give advice. People who are suffering from trauma don’t need advice. They need comfort and support. So say, “I’m sorry” or “This must really be hard for you” or “Can I bring you a pot roast?” Don’t say, “You should hear what happened to me” or “Here’s what I would do if I were you.” And don’t say, “This is really bringing me down.”

If you want to scream or cry or complain, if you want to tell someone how shocked you are or how icky you feel, or whine about how it reminds you of all the terrible things that have happened to you lately, that’s fine. It’s a perfectly normal response. Just do it to someone in a bigger ring.

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"Comfort in, dump out.”

In the time since I originally read their piece, I have thought of this theory many, many times. Where I am in the circle? Given that position, what should I say, or what can I hope would be said to me? Who are people in the circle I could comfort? Who can I “dump” to?

And, I’ve wanted to come up with a list of practical things that can be done for someone in crisis. Here’s a start:

  1. Bring a meal
  2. Bring a cup of coffee, tea, or a chocolate bar
  3. Offer to go for a walk
  4. Offer to watch/spend time with kids, older parents, or pets
  5. Come over just to wash dishes or do a load of laundry
  6. Bring by a favorite CD or movie
  7. If going in person seems like too much, send a note by mail
  8. What do you have to add to that list? What’s been helpful for you or a loved one? Where are you in the circle now?

Copyright 2017 Elana Premack Sandler All Rights Reserved

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One of the best things that anyone has ever brought after a trauma or death has been a box of REALLY soft kleenex and tylenol! The food is always wonderful too, because you’re so tired from trying to mentally deal with things that you forget to eat and you don’t have energy to cook.

4

Great idea! Something truly relaxing and allows time for themselves. I love it!

5

This is wonderful advice. Thank you for providing it.