For instance, if you’re in a building with a family member who thinks someone is sending them messages over the PA system, take them outside. If the person takes medication, ask them when they last took a dose. If it was longer ago than the bottle instructs, make sure they take a dose as soon as possible.
Ask an open-ended question like, “Why do you think the kidnappers are following you?” or “Do you want to tell me more?”
Arguing can even make the situation worse, since it will make the person feel like no one understands them.
For instance, if your friend tells you that kidnappers are following her, don’t play along. Instead, say something like, “That sounds really scary, but I’ll make sure you’re safe. ” Without trying to change the person’s mind, let them know that you aren’t perceiving what they are. For instance, say, “No, I didn’t see any people following us. ”
For instance, the person might find it helpful to repeat something like, “Everyone is too busy worrying about themselves to think about me,” or “Even though I feel scared, I’m not really in danger. ” Encourage the person to write down the mantra and keep it with them so they can read it when they need it.
This strategy works best for people with mild paranoia who can accept that their judgment is sometimes unsound. Severely paranoid people may not be willing to ask for other people’s perspectives.
For example, including physical activity as a part of their daily routine can help improve their mood and boost cognitive functioning that may be impaired with paranoia.
Let’s say your friend is really creative. You might encourage them to submit their artwork to a local art contest to keep them occupied and focus on positive activities.
Have the person keep this information with them at all times, such as written on a card or on a piece of paper.
For instance, an anxious person might worry that they have a disease, while a paranoid person might be convinced that their doctor purposely gave them a disease. Anxiety is much more common than paranoia. Someone who is anxious will appear to be more alert in case of danger, but someone who is paranoid will appear to expect danger at any moment.
Convincing a paranoid person to see a doctor can be a challenge. They may not trust medical professionals. If the person doesn’t want to seek treatment, don’t push them too hard, or they may become suspicious of you, too. Try talking to the person when they’re feeling calm, quiet, and connected to you. Talk about the problem in terms of how it affects you—but don’t talk about how other people feel, as it can increase the person’s paranoia that others are talking about them. [12] X Expert Source George Sachs, PsyDLicensed Psychologist Expert Interview. 9 October 2020. If your friend is resistant, you might say, “I know you don’t think anything is wrong, but it would really give me peace of mind if you saw a doctor. Will you just go to make me feel better. If everything checks out, I’ll stop bugging you. " This will make the request about you rather than them and that might make it easier for them to accept.
A non-bizarre delusion is something that could plausibly happen in reality. A bizarre delusion, on the other hand, couldn’t happen in the real world. For instance, if someone believed that aliens had given them the ability to fly, they would be having a bizarre delusion.
