How to Help Loved Ones with Delusional Disorder

Step-by-Step Guide

1. 1

   Step 1: Pick a lucid moment to talk.

   One of the worst things you can do if you think a loved one is having delusions is to ignore it.
   
   You should reach out to your loved one while also considering how to contact his therapist (if he has one) or local mental health services for advice on treating delusional disorders.It’s OK to try to talk to your loved one about your concern, but pick a time when he is lucid.
   
   You may not be able to discuss your loved one’s mental state while he is actively having delusions.
2. 2

   Step 2: Frame your concern as an opinion.

   Talk to your loved one and express your anxiety about her behavior and thought patterns.
   
   It is important to remain conscious or your tone and not become angry or aggressive.
   
   Try at all times to be gentle, honest, and non-confrontational.
   
   You will probably not be able to convince her that her delusions are mistaken, even with clear evidence.Be as non-judgmental as possible.
   
   Delusions are “fixed ideas.” Saying, “What you’re thinking isn’t real,” or, “No, you’re being paranoid and crazy!” won’t accomplish much and could actually strengthen the person’s delusions.
   
   Present your concern as an opinion instead, i.e. “You seem to be having a rough time.
   
   I wonder whether you’re all right?” or “I’m concerned for you.
   
   My own opinion is that you’ve developed some fixed ideas.” , Avoid attempts to disprove your loved one but at the same time, do not play along with his delusions or make it seem like you agree.
   
   Try instead to connect to the person’s experience and understand him rather than refuting the delusion itself.Affirm that your loved one’s feelings are important while making it clear that you do not agree with him.
   
   Say something like, "I understand that you feel that way.
   
   I have a different opinion," or, “What you’re talking about is important; I just think you could be mistaken.” You might also subtly question your loved one’s delusions with suggestions, i.e. “Strongly believing something is true doesn’t necessarily mean that it is true, don't you think?” or “We’re all capable of misinterpreting things, aren’t we?”You could also try saying, “But our brains can misinterpret things and giving us the wrong idea, no?” or “Sometimes we can imagine things that seem very real — like dreams.
   
   That doesn’t mean they are real, though.”
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   Step 3: Don’t play into the delusions.

Detailed Guide

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