Mental health filter
April 16, 2015 8:12 AM Subscribe
Advice for helping a friend suffering from a first time paranoid/delusional episode?
Asking for a friend: her long-distance boyfriend is in the third or fourth day of what sounds to me like a textbook paranoid mental breakdown -- strong religious delusions, nonsensical facebook posts and text messages, using stimulants to stay awake, travelling to different cities and hotels to avoid family and friends trying to help/intervene.
They have already gotten the police to track him down in two different places and both times they spoke to him and did not detain him or bring him to a hospital, so I assume he's at least lucid and/or persuasive enough that they didn't see him as a current threat to himself or others.
Seems like they are unsure how far to push things in terms of trying to force him into treatment (could be difficult since he has no previous psych diagnosis or history and has done nothing illegal or dangerous), cut off his bank accounts or otherwise bring things to a head sooner -- or better to wait and watch as long as there's no indication of violent intent and they have a pretty good idea where he is, and see if he starts to burn himself out or calm down.
As I said they're already in contact with various official channels, but if you have any relevant advice or experience to share, I'm sure she would really appreciate it. I've seen a few previous questions about dealing with chronic symptoms of this type, but not a first time episode.
Asking for a friend: her long-distance boyfriend is in the third or fourth day of what sounds to me like a textbook paranoid mental breakdown -- strong religious delusions, nonsensical facebook posts and text messages, using stimulants to stay awake, travelling to different cities and hotels to avoid family and friends trying to help/intervene.
They have already gotten the police to track him down in two different places and both times they spoke to him and did not detain him or bring him to a hospital, so I assume he's at least lucid and/or persuasive enough that they didn't see him as a current threat to himself or others.
Seems like they are unsure how far to push things in terms of trying to force him into treatment (could be difficult since he has no previous psych diagnosis or history and has done nothing illegal or dangerous), cut off his bank accounts or otherwise bring things to a head sooner -- or better to wait and watch as long as there's no indication of violent intent and they have a pretty good idea where he is, and see if he starts to burn himself out or calm down.
As I said they're already in contact with various official channels, but if you have any relevant advice or experience to share, I'm sure she would really appreciate it. I've seen a few previous questions about dealing with chronic symptoms of this type, but not a first time episode.
Is he in the US? If so, you (or she) might try Googling "[city or county name] mental health" or "[city or county name] behavioral health" and checking the sites with .gov addresses; most places have a 24-hour crisis line staffed with licensed professionals familiar with local resources. Local resources might include (though they will not always include) the ability for a mental-health professional to go out and make contact with someone dealing with severe mental-health issues. That sort of outreach may be a low-key way to help get him some help, or the crisis-line staff may have other useful suggestions. (Or, possibly, not, but it may be one more official avenue to help try to get a bit of a safety net under him.)
posted by jaguar at 8:23 AM on April 16, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by jaguar at 8:23 AM on April 16, 2015 [1 favorite]
Oh gosh, get help ASAP. The longer the psychosis goes on the recovery is so much harder and longer. Is he young? Get ahold of his family to get their support. He needs medical help, not bystanders; if your friend had a visibly broken leg would you tell him to "walk it off"? It is hard to get help but while he is crisis the more likely it is to get immediate attention from professionals. Good luck.
posted by saucysault at 10:26 AM on April 16, 2015
posted by saucysault at 10:26 AM on April 16, 2015
Friend can Information about psychosis at earlypsychosis.com
Also reach out to local NAMI chapter for ideas
posted by SyraCarol at 10:34 AM on April 16, 2015 [1 favorite]
Also reach out to local NAMI chapter for ideas
posted by SyraCarol at 10:34 AM on April 16, 2015 [1 favorite]
« Older How to mix various kinds of tasks for maximum... | Flipping the verge? Pitching the peat? Newer »
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by 4th number at 8:22 AM on April 16, 2015 [1 favorite]