Send to a Friend

Jeruba's avatar

If I think someone may be psychotic, how do I speak to them?

Asked by Jeruba (56031points) December 26th, 2023

If they’re experiencing a reality that I can’t see, do I comment, ask questions, or just leave it alone?

What if they seem to be experiencing hallucinations or delusions?

What if they’re insisting that I acknowledge something that I can’t see or hear or feel? Do I just agree with them? Do I tell them what’s really there? Do I try to persuade them that what they’re experiencing is not real? Do I lie? Do I take notes?

If I don’t go along with their misperception, how do I deal with their anger?

Is the goal to placate them, to reassure them, to create doubts in their mind, or what?

This isn’t someone I can just walk away from, at least not in the long term.

Using Fluther

or

Using Email

Separate multiple emails with commas.
We’ll only use these emails for this message.