One of my closest friends has been diagnosed as having schizo-affective disorder. I’ve done lots of searching on the net about this illness, and understand it fairly well, I think, for a layperson.
What I’m not finding so easily is how to deal with him when he’s having an episode of schizophrenia. When he calls me on the telephone, and is so obviously agitated, I don’t know what to do. Sometimes, it’s very obvious that he’s hallucinating something, and sometimes, not.
I’m sure some of you must have friends or family with this illness. I’m asking for your advice on how to deal with him, when he’s so agitated. If he’s hallucinating something, and truly believing it, do I tell him it’s not there? Do I contradict him, or just listen? I could really use some help, here.
Well, schizoaffective disorder is different from scizophrenia, but the same illusions drive the difficult times.
IMHO (and I am a mental health professional), the best thing to do when he is obviously responding to internal stimuli is to ask him what his professionals say to do at those times. (i.e., “I hear you are very agitated. I wonder what ** Lorene (insert name of his counselor here) ** would tell you to do right now.”) It’s all about rediection, honestly.
You could also contact whatever Mental Health Association that is in your area and ask them for advice: many run support groups for friends and families.
What Lorene said. Do not try to compromise or agree or see your friend’s point of view. Your job is to guide your friend to the safeest possible way of acting.
Don’t argue with him whatever you do, it’s just going to be like banging your head against a brick wall, it will get you nowhere, and it’s only likely to upset him.