Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 3: Dealing with delusions
• Part 2 of 3: Developing healthy mental habits
• Part 3 of 3: Helping a paranoid person find treatment

Helping someone who is paranoid can be difficult. Paranoid people see the world differently from most other people, and it's all too easy to alienate them or make you look suspicious in their eyes. Sensitivity and understanding are the keys to providing paranoid individuals with the treatment they need without making them feel like you think negatively about them. One of the best ways you can help a paranoid person is to reassure them when they are struggling with delusions. You can also help such individuals develop long-term coping strategies and encourage them to seek professional help.

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Part 1 of 3: Dealing with delusions

1. Do not try to argue with the person. When a friend or family member is delusional, listen to him or her, but don't argue. The delusion is real for such a person, so you will not be able to make them believe otherwise.
   • Arguing can make the situation worse, as the person may feel like no one understands him / her.
2. Don't confirm the paranoia. Focus on understanding how the person is feeling. Show empathy for their emotions, but don't say anything that can reinforce the other's delusions.
   • If a friend tells you she's being followed by kidnappers, don't play along. Instead, say something like, "That sounds really scary, but I'll make sure you're safe."
   • Let them know that you are not perceiving what they perceive without trying to change someone's mind. For example, say, "No, I don't see people chasing us."
3. Ask questions. Try to get the person to share more about the fear. This can help figure out where the delusion is coming from and give you a better idea of ​​how to reassure the person. The person may also feel better after talking to you.
   • Ask an open-ended question such as, "Why do you think kidnappers are following you?" Or "Can you tell us a bit more about that?"
4. Help the person feel safer and more comfortable. If something in the environment is frightening to the person, take him or her elsewhere. Give the person some food and drink. Make it clear that you are not afraid and that you will make sure that nothing will happen to the other person.
   • For example, if you are in a building with a family member and he or she thinks someone is sending messages over the intercom, go outside together.
   • If the person is on medication, ask when they last took a dose. If it has been longer than indicated on the bottle, make sure the person takes the medication as soon as possible.

Part 2 of 3: Developing healthy mental habits

1. Help the person maintain a positive attitude. When you are with a friend or family member, be a role model of positive thinking and optimism. Try to come up with some mantras or affirmations together to use when the paranoid feelings manifest.
   • For example, the person may find it comforting to repeat something like, "Everyone's too busy with their own concerns to deal with me," or "Although I feel scared, I'm not really in danger. '
   • Suggest that the other person write down the mantra and keep it with them so that he or she can read the mantra when needed.
2. Help the person put the paranoid thoughts into perspective. If a reality check is badly needed, suggest that the person talk to you or another trusted person about the paranoid feelings. Encourage him or her to give people the benefit of the doubt when there is uncertainty about someone's intentions.
   • This strategy works best for people with mild paranoia who can accept that their judgment is sometimes unhealthy. Highly paranoid people may not be willing to ask for other people's insights.
3. Encourage the person to learn balanced habits. A healthy lifestyle can make mental health problems easier to manage. Help the friend or family member reduce stress, get enough sleep, a healthy diet, and exercise.
   • For example, including physical activity as a regular part of the daily routine can improve a person's mood and boost cognitive functioning that may be affected by the paranoia.
4. Encourage them to engage in those things they excel at. Many people with paranoia have unique talents or successful careers. Know what areas the friend or family member excels in, and encourage them to keep doing those things they enjoy and are good at.
   • Let's say the friend in question is particularly creative. You could then encourage those to enter a local art competition with a work of art to engage and focus on positive activities.
5. Be prepared for crisis situations. If your friend or family member has a disease like schizophrenia, make an emergency plan together during a stable period. Gather important contact information, such as the doctor's phone number, and discuss who will take care of the children or pets if the other person needs to be hospitalized.
   • Have the person keep this information with them at all times, such as on a card or on paper.

Part 3 of 3: Helping a paranoid person find treatment

1. Know the difference between paranoia and fear. Paranoia can superficially resemble anxiety, but these problems are actually very different. Paranoia does not include delusions and fear. The two conditions require different treatments, so it is important not to confuse them.
   • For example, an anxious person may be concerned that he / she has an illness, while a paranoid person may be convinced that they have been deliberately made ill by the doctor.
   • Anxiety is much more common than paranoia. Someone who is anxious will be more alert to danger, but someone who is paranoid will expect danger at any time.
2. Do not try to diagnose or treat the paranoid person yourself. If a friend or family member has not yet been examined, it is important that this is done by a professional. Self-diagnoses are often inaccurate and the person can look for the wrong kind of treatment as a result.
3. Encourage the person to see a doctor or psychotherapist. The friend or family member may need medication, psychotherapy, or both to manage the paranoia. Encourage the person to talk to their doctor about possible treatment options. If it is difficult for the other person to attend appointments, offer to help by taking them there or looking after the children.
   • Convincing a paranoid person to see a doctor can be quite a challenge. Medical professionals may be viewed with suspicion. If the person doesn't want to be treated, don't put too much pressure on it, or they may lose confidence in you as well.
   • If the friend is recalcitrant, you could say, "I know you think nothing is wrong, but it would be good for my peace of mind if you go to the doctor anyway." Would you like to do that just to make me feel better? If nothing is wrong, then I am not talking about it anymore. "This makes the request about you rather than the other, and that can make it easier for him or her to accept it.
4. Call 112 if you think a dangerous situation is occurring. If your friend or family member starts having bizarre delusions or threatens to harm themselves or others, that person will need medical attention right away. Don't wait to see if it rings - call 911 or the emergency department. The hospital is the safest place for such a person until he or she is stable again.
   • A non-bizarre delusion is something that could happen. A bizarre delusion, on the other hand, cannot happen in the real world.
   • For example, if someone believes that aliens have given him or her the ability to fly, that person has a bizarre delusion.