14 Sep 10
Originally posted by PhlabibitI'm not a doctor, but I have played one on stage, and won't taking action to get him to see a doctor fulfill his delusions?
Ask nice, don't say why... try and get them in to see a doctor for the blood work. There are so many chemical things that could be going wrong is my thinking.
HoH wanting to give scotch to such a person is bad advice in my mind, unless they are the 'have a few drinks and say I love you man kind of person. Doesn't sound like they would be.
Good luck.
14 Sep 10
Originally posted by cheshirecatstevensThat is definitely a concern i have regarding seeking professional assistance. Unfortunately, things have now got to a stage where the drawbacks of doing nothing far out way any potential repercussions on our friendship should i try to get him help. He is a dear friend of mine, so i feel i have a responsibility to do something. That is why i could really use a professional opinion before i act..
I'm not a doctor, but I have played one on stage, and won't taking action to get him to see a doctor fulfill his delusions?
14 Sep 10
2 edits
Originally posted by Marinkatombhow's his drinking? I JUST read about a study on alcohol psychosis, saying typically the first attacks manifest around 10 years of heavy drinking. after which the mortality rate jumps to 20x the norm.
That is definitely a concern i have regarding seeking professional assistance. Unfortunately, things have now got to a stage where the drawbacks of doing nothing far out way any potential repercussions on our friendship should i try to get him help. He is a dear friend of mine, so i feel i have a responsibility to do something. That is why i could really use a professional opinion before i act..
also, I've known & lived with some alcoholics in my time, and in my personal experience the paranoid dick phase begins much before hitting delirium. they all start as jolly drunks, but slowly progress into a meaner and meaner one over the years. the paranoia you spoke of would fit like a glove regarding my experiences. at around 10 years they don't give rats ass about most things that they used to.
14 Sep 10
Originally posted by lauseyI've tried many things but this has been getting progressively worse for years. There have been some really ugly situations where accusations have been thrown around publicly via email and in person, all of which have been dubious at best, but on reflection most have been sheer fantasy. We've tried meditation, conversation, all of which generally work in the short term but he keeps regressing and repeating the same cycle. I have come to the conclusion that i am not equipped to deal with this, he needs help but i need advice on the best way to go about getting him that help without exacerbating the situation.
Tell him to lie down, wrap a hot towel around his head, make some soup and take a nap. Tell him you love him.
14 Sep 10
Originally posted by wormwoodI think he does drink quite a bit but because of his recent problems with his diet has stopped (or at least seriously reduced) his drinking. I know that his allergies mean that he can no longer drink beer of wine, so he's reduced to things like cider which he doesn't really have a taste for. The most recent situation we've encountered is him accusing a mutual friend of somehow betraying a confidence. This mutual friend is actually the most trustworthy person i know and takes his integrity very seriously. When he was challenged over what exactly this betrayal was he was really evasive, resorting to an abusive rage rather than allowing the issue to be addressed. When my friend told me of this exchange he was literally in tears on the phone, such was the severity of the attack. We both discussed the situation at length and have agreed we need to do something but are at a loss as to what is the correct course of action, there doesn't appear to be a rational solution as he is not being rational in the slightest.
how's his drinking? I JUST read about a study on alcohol psychosis, saying typically the first attacks manifest around 10 years of heavy drinking. after which the mortality rate jumps to 20x the norm.
also, I've known & lived with some alcoholics in my time, and in my personal experience the paranoid dick phase begins much before hitting delirium. they a ...[text shortened]... experiences. at around 10 years they don't give rats ass about most things that they used to.
14 Sep 10
1 edit
Originally posted by Marinkatombyou'd probably know if he'd drunk too much for years I guess.
I think he does drink quite a bit but because of his recent problems with his diet has stopped (or at least seriously reduced) his drinking. I know that his allergies mean that he can no longer drink beer of wine, so he's reduced to things like cider which he doesn't really have a taste for. The most recent situation we've encountered is him accusing a m ...[text shortened]... there doesn't appear to be a rational solution as he is not being rational in the slightest.
but it sounds like crazy talk alright. provided he didn't have similar traits in lighter scale or against other people besides you even before. sometimes it takes a long time to realize someone you knew for ages had really been a dick all along. just not to you. -but that's probably also the kind of thing you'd realize right now thinking about it.
then there are the 'real' problems, chemical imbalance & brain tumors etc, which no stripper can cure, and definitely require a real doctor. maybe even some kind of poisoning, considering the weird diet problems? (I'm so playing dr. house here! and just to make sure, I have no medical training...)
14 Sep 10
Originally posted by wormwoodNo i appreciate the input, thanks. It's a real bummer because he is a close friend and he's obviously going through lot of stuff at the moment and i want him to get better. Even people who've found themselves on the end of this stuff hold no animosity towards him as there are clearly instabilities in his mental health at the moment. Worrying times indeed. 🙁
you'd probably know if he'd drunk too much for years I guess.
but it sounds like crazy talk alright. provided he didn't have similar traits in lighter scale or against other people besides you even before. sometimes it takes a long time to realize someone you knew for ages had really been a dick all along. just not to you. -but that's probably also the k ...[text shortened]... s? (I'm so playing dr. house here! and just to make sure, I have no medical training...)
14 Sep 10
Originally posted by MarinkatombAre you sure he is not on drugs?
No i appreciate the input, thanks. It's a real bummer because he is a close friend and he's obviously going through lot of stuff at the moment and i want him to get better. Even people who've found themselves on the end of this stuff hold no animosity towards him as there are clearly instabilities in his mental health at the moment. Worrying times indeed. 🙁
14 Sep 10
Originally posted by MarinkatombI'm a psychologist. It sounds like your friend has progressively worsening schizophrenia, although other diagnoses are possible, and I don't have a full medical history to consider.
I've tried many things but this has been getting progressively worse for years. There have been some really ugly situations where accusations have been thrown around publicly via email and in person, all of which have been dubious at best, but on reflection most have been sheer fantasy. We've tried meditation, conversation, all of which generally work in ...[text shortened]... d advice on the best way to go about getting him that help without exacerbating the situation.
The most pragmatic, and safest, course of action would be to get him evaluated by a psychiatrist or even GP immediately, and stabilized on a course of anti-psychotics, before he ends up hurting himself or others.
14 Sep 10
Originally posted by IshDaGeggThere are a couple of problems with that. I have no authority over him in the eyes of the law, so how do i get him to see someone? Have you any experience of friends of potential patients referring people to you? I run a serious risk of exacerbating his feelings of paranoia if i trick him into seeing someone, but how will he react if i suggest such a thing? I would imagine this sort of situation would not be uncommon in your profession. In your experience, how would you advise me to proceed?
I'm a psychologist. It sounds like your friend has progressively worsening schizophrenia, although other diagnoses are possible, and I don't have a full medical history to consider.
The most pragmatic, and safest, course of action would be to get him evaluated by a psychiatrist or even GP immediately, and stabilized on a course of anti-psychotics, before he ends up hurting himself or others.
14 Sep 10
Originally posted by MarinkatombI sympathize. I don't deal with schizophrenics personally, so I have no practical expertise to offer. I just know about their clinical symptoms. I think you should ring a psychiatric clinic for practical advice. I don't see any easy solution.
There are a couple of problems with that. I have no authority over him in the eyes of the law, so how do i get him to see someone? Have you any experience of friends of potential patients referring people to you? I run a serious risk of exacerbating his feelings of paranoia if i trick him into seeing someone, but how will he react if i suggest such a thi ...[text shortened]... ould not be uncommon in your profession. In your experience, how would you advise me to proceed?
15 Sep 10
Originally posted by IshDaGeggThe clinical symptoms are information enough, thanks. I don't suppose you could suggest a first point of contact?
I sympathize. I don't deal with schizophrenics personally, so I have no practical expertise to offer. I just know about their clinical symptoms. I think you should ring a psychiatric clinic for practical advice. I don't see any easy solution.
15 Sep 10
Hi Mate, not sure if they're any good but http://www.mind.org.uk/ offer a helpline. They may be able to offer advice on what to do. I personally think that your friend needs immediate and professional help. Whether you exacerbate the situation in the short term by forcing that help on him will not matter in the long term once he is getting the help he obviously needs.
Good luck.