4 ms·

Can anyone suggest to me what to do if we think one of our good friends is displaying evidence of undiagnosed mental illness? (specifically schizophrenia) The

Can anyone suggest to me what to do if we think one of our good friends is displaying evidence of undiagnosed mental illness? (specifically schizophrenia) They're self-medicating with marijuana and alcohol and displaying increasingly erratic behaviour. At the same time I know their potential for genius but see their potential hampered by their problems. Our wider social network has noticed it and are electing me to talk with my friend but I really don't know what I can say that'll help VS push them away.

bronson 15y ago
Electing you to intervene? What is this, a committee? Sounds like a problem with your wider social network.
brndn 15y ago
Unfortunately, their lack of insight makes it very difficult for them to willingly get the help they need. Have you asked this person about the symptoms you are seeing? Does this person have any insight into these symptoms?
SoftwareMaven 15y ago
Be open and honest about what you are seeing. Ask what you can do to help. Don't label. If the conversation goes well and your friend opens up, be ready to help them find help. I would be careful of going in prepared with e.g. a psychiatrist's phone number, because you don't want to send signals, "hey, we think you are mentally ill". If the conversation goes poorly, back off and try again later. While it is good to not have every person in your social group having this conversation, having more than one person have it is probably a good idea. You don't want the friend to get the feeling "everybody is against me" while at the same time, if it's just you, they can more easily ignore your input as "just you". Finally, recognize that this might cost you a friend. But if you do care for that friend (which obviously you do), that is a risk worth taking for your friend's sake. Good luck.

4 ms·

Can anyone suggest to me what to do if we think one of our good friends is displaying evidence of undiagnosed mental illness? (specifically schizophrenia) The

by gravitronic 15y ago

bronson 15y ago
Electing you to intervene? What is this, a committee? Sounds like a problem with your wider social network.
brndn 15y ago
Unfortunately, their lack of insight makes it very difficult for them to willingly get the help they need. Have you asked this person about the symptoms you are seeing? Does this person have any insight into these symptoms?
SoftwareMaven 15y ago
Be open and honest about what you are seeing. Ask what you can do to help. Don't label. If the conversation goes well and your friend opens up, be ready to help them find help. I would be careful of going in prepared with e.g. a psychiatrist's phone number, because you don't want to send signals, "hey, we think you are mentally ill". If the conversation goes poorly, back off and try again later. While it is good to not have every person in your social group having this conversation, having more than one person have it is probably a good idea. You don't want the friend to get the feeling "everybody is against me" while at the same time, if it's just you, they can more easily ignore your input as "just you". Finally, recognize that this might cost you a friend. But if you do care for that friend (which obviously you do), that is a risk worth taking for your friend's sake. Good luck.