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Originally Posted by pulchritudinousv
Very recently, my 30 year old sister has been experiencing some troubling symptoms almost out of the blue. She'd never experienced these symptoms before, but I would like to share some of them in hopes I can get some answers and the help she needs and deserves. I know this community is not a substitute for a doctor, but I am hoping if I can give her a better idea of what she may have, she is more likely to seek help from one, because at present, I'm not sure she will.
If anyone can help shed some light on what this may be, I'd greatly appreciate it. It took me over an hour to convince her that she might indeed have a mental disorder, but I don't know if she actually believes it and what this means. I encouraged her to seek medical attention, but I don't know if or when she'll ever pursue that.
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Hi pulchritudinous,
I also agree with the previous responses, but I just wanted to add a few points which you may have already figured out by now.
As a partner of someone suffering from a mood disorder with mild psychotic symptoms, with background as a family physician, I have also been struggling with issues of denial. This lack of insight is unfortunately part of the condition. There are no simple ways to try to argue or reason with someone who has delusional thinking. It's a really tricky situation - agreeing with her delusions may strengthen them, but arguing against them will not weaken them. But bottom line is that she needs to be seen by a specialist.
Tip: when you see her distressed by her thoughts / hallucinations, you may try something like this "I can see that issue (fill in specific) is distresing you - why don't we go see someone who might be able to help". If she refuses a pdoc/family physician, you might need to start with a psychologist/social worker, maybe through the church.
Finally, occasionally, psychosis can be triggered by medical conditions that a family physician can rule out with some routine tests - Important to get her to a doctor as soon as possible.