Licketysplit you made me grin like this

I think this is an interesting thread.

A PP said that this is primarily a support forum, rather than for debate, or intellectual challenge, etc. For me when I start threads I actually find the challenges posters throw at me very supportive - it is part of how I take support from this forum, because it helps me scrutinize my thinking and feelings and consider new ways. Doesn't mean I always like it! Far from it. But I find it very valuable.

I suppose then that fashions how I try to 'support' folks on their threads, offering my viewpoints, or sharing something that I found helpful. Most of the time, it is easy to accept that my offering might be ignored, and that's ok. I hope what I write is helpful in some way, but of course it may be totally useless to the person. Sometimes I am guilty of being too blunt, out of irritation or frustration. Sometimes I **** it all up.

Another previous post mentioned about delusions, on how the safest way to interact with the person is to agree until meds kick in - I don't think that is always the case. For some very acute situations where there could be real danger to either of you, yes I agree. But for less intense situations, I actually think continuing to talk to the person and counter some of the more mad stuff in a calm way is more useful. Not in a way so as to aggravate them - but for example, if they are upset and agitated searching for a passport and telling you they are moving to Africa in the morning to start up a brothel with some guy they met off the internet and why this is all perfectly ok and makes sense, to keep encouraging them to have a cup of tea, take a break, that they don't have to do anything so soon, etc. Rather than agree. Conversation can be really, really helpful in calming down a person in some circumstances.