It can sometimes be quite challenging to help a person with psychosis, for example, if they do not think that they require help or if they reject help. Psychosis is a mental health condition where a person loses touch with reality, often experiencing hallucinations or delusions. Feeling either helpless or unsure of how to proceed is natural if a person is suffering from psychosis yet does not want any assistance. That being said, some options can help them and motivate them to turn to specialists, even when the situation is complicated.
In this blog, we will learn about how psychosis can be identified, how to get out of psychosis, how to help someone with psychosis, how to get someone out of psychosis, how to support someone with psychosis, and what is the long-term effect of helping someone with psychosis.
Understanding Psychosis
Before delving into ways of how one may assist a person with psychosis, it would be essential to
determine what psychosis actually is and how it manifests itself in a person’s thoughts and actions.
Psychosis involves a disconnection from reality, which can manifest in several ways:
- Hallucinations: Having a hallucination where one will have visions, hear, or even touch things that are not existent in reality. For example, a person might listen to voices while seeing things that other people cannot.
- Delusions: Strongly held beliefs that aren’t true or based in reality. For example, someone might believe they’re being watched or that they have special powers.
- Disorganized thinking: Impaired ability to address and sort ideas, which results in problems with coherent speech or the ability to remain focused during conversations.
Psychosis can be caused by inherent mental diseases such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, anxiety, or severe depression. It can also be triggered by substance abuse, trauma, or certain medical conditions.
Example:
Imagine your friend believes that they are being watched by the government, even though there’s no evidence to support this belief. They might become paranoid and refuse to talk about their fears, believing others are trying to deceive them. This is an example of delusional thinking that can occur during psychosis.
Read More: Psychosis: Causes, Diagnosis, Symptoms and Treatment
Why Does Someone with Psychosis Refuse Help?
It can be frustrating when someone you care about is experiencing psychosis but refuses to get help. There are several reasons why this might happen:
- Lack of Insight (Anosognosia): Often, patients with psychosis do not understand that specific thoughts or experiences they have are abnormal. This absence of awareness is termed anosognosia and can cause considerable confusion in the patient as to when he needs help. To them, things like this are real, and they maybe cannot comprehend why others are so worried about them.
- Fear or Paranoia: Psychosis can cause a person to become suspicious or fearful of others, including loved ones and medical professionals. They may believe that seeking help will make their situation worse or that people are trying to harm them.
- Stigma: Mental health stigma can discourage someone from getting the help that they need. They may worry about being labeled as “crazy” or feel ashamed about their condition can make them more resistant to the idea of treatment.
- Negative Past Experiences: In case the person has specific bitter experiences with regard to mental health care professions, then they will have a certain kind of reluctance to approach one again. It may be that they have considered themselves as not listened to or ignored or that they have been treated poorly by professionals.
What You Can Do to Help?
Despite the fact that it may be very challenging to assist a person with psychosis who does not want to be helped, there are some ways in order to help such a person gently and efficiently.
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Education about psychosis:
One of the best things you can do is educate yourself about psychosis. Understanding what your loved one is going through can help you be more empathetic and patient with them. Read about the symptoms of psychosis, the causes, and how it affects the brain. This knowledge will help you better understand their behavior and communicate with them more effectively.
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Offer a Listening Ear
Sometimes, the best way to help is simply to listen without judgment. People with psychosis may feel isolated or misunderstood, so being there for them emotionally can make a big difference. Let them talk about their experiences and fears, even if what they say doesn’t make sense to you. The key is to show that you care without trying to correct or challenge their beliefs immediately.
Example:
If your loved one says they believe people are spying on them, instead of saying, “That’s not true,” try responding with, “That must feel really scary. I’m sorry you’re feeling that way. I’m here for you.”
This approach validates their emotions without reinforcing their delusions.
Read More: Signs Of Psychosis In A Teenager: Things To Know
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Build Trust and Avoid Confrontation
Building trust is crucial when trying to help someone with psychosis. If they feel like you’re against them or trying to force them into something, they may shut down or become more paranoid. Focus on maintaining a positive relationship and avoid confrontations about their condition.
Instead of insisting they get help, start by gently expressing concern for their well-being. You could say something like, “I’ve noticed that you seem really stressed lately. Is there anything I can do to help you feel better?”
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Inform People to Seek Help without Compelling Them
While it’s essential to encourage professional help, trying to force someone with psychosis into treatment can often backfire. Do not try to ‘push’ it on them. Give them all the details regarding the advantages of seeking help and let them understand that help is out there whenever they consider it.
You can offer to help them find a mental health professional or attend an appointment with them if they feel nervous. Be patient and remind them that seeking help is not a sign of weakness but a step toward feeling better.
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Use Harm Reduction Strategies
In case your loved one cannot or is not willing to get the help, try to minimize the risk at least. It requires a person to ensure they are safe and reduce adverse impacts connected to a particular disease or disorder.
For example:
- Create a safe environment: If they have hallucinations or delusions, you should help to keep their environment stress-free and avoid factors that might provoke or exacerbate hallucinations.
- Monitor for danger: Keep an eye out for any signs that they might be a danger to themselves or others. If you believe they are at risk, seek emergency help right away.
- Encourage healthy habits: While you may not be able to address their psychosis directly, encouraging regular sleep, healthy eating, and limited substance use can help reduce the severity of their symptoms.
Example:
If your friend with psychosis uses substances to treat or exacerbate their symptoms, you might recommend healthy ways of dealing with stress, like going for a run, practicing yoga, or painting.
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Involve Others in Support
Caring for an individual with psychosis can be an exhausting experience, and you should not be doing it on your own. Try to contact other friends, relatives, and other people who will be able to stand by the individual in some way. Hearing encouragement from more than one source does count at times; it is like having multiple therapies.
One may also consult a mental health worker independent of the other person as you seek guidance on how to deal with the other person. They can also give you information on different strategies for talking to your loved one and coping with the stress and anger that may come with it.
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Learn When to Look for Help
In some cases, your loved one may become a danger to themselves or others. If they are expressing thoughts of self-harm, suicide, or harming someone else, it’s essential to seek emergency help right away. Call a mental health crisis team or take them to the hospital if necessary.
Even if they don’t want help, their safety is the top priority. Involuntary treatment might be required in extreme cases, especially if the person is unable to care for themselves or poses a risk to others.
Example:
If your loved one starts talking about harming themselves or others, it’s critical to take action. You might say, “I’m really worried about your safety, and I need to call someone who can help right now.”
Read More: The Rise of Telehealth: Exploring the pros of telehealth
Conclusion: Patience, Compassion, and Consistency
Helping someone with psychosis who doesn’t want help can be a slow and frustrating process, but with patience, compassion, and consistency, you can make a difference. The most important thing is to let them know they are not alone and that help is available when they are ready to take that step. Psychotherapy and other mental health treatment approaches do help, but the most effective way is to provide the sufferer with cognitive support.
Remember, you can’t force someone to accept help, but you can be there to offer support, listen without judgment, and encourage them in a loving and non-pressuring way. Building trust, offering emotional support, and creating a safe environment are all steps that can lead to them eventually accepting the help they need. If you are struggling with deciding whether to consult a mental health specialist or not, then do not hesitate to in touch with telehealth services of Inland Empire Behavioral Group now!
