How do you support a loved one struggling with severe paranoid delusions?

[FrodoSkywalker007]

[Anonymous]

I would have to see their physical form if i tried to make a formula with feelings and emotions and actions to proces it all. For examply classic markers of anxiety, but not treat it clinically, treat it like a psychological defense mechanism.

But as a good start, neither team up nor oppose them and do not show apathy. Do play the doctor role. Primarily to convince them that a delusion is in fact taking place.

If you call them paranoid they defend and it grows. If you never tell them, it grows too. Do your best to prove how you see things differently, gently prove what the reality is, and also the reality that paranoia is like a bad weather storm, it doesn't mean the place is hell, just temporary stuff that usually can be resolved. Usually paranoia is proof of good psychological health. It is a defense mechanism. Just like progressing myopia is proof that the eye is flexible enough to accomodate to the close-up work you focus on. An adaptation. If someone was abandoned badly enough (even at work, at war, etc not necessarily in childhood) and then they were told "don't cry about it", and they didn't sit down to feel the terror in their stomach until it naturally dissolves, then their body never got the message "risk is over", the body still expects threats and throws up adrenaline and causes paranoia to maximize survival.

Of course that is not the only kind of paranoia but it is common.

[Veronika_p]

Get them professional help

[Agape93]

Yeap