Problems distinguishing between reality and fantasy

Hello all!

I want to see others opinions. Let's see if this makes sense. I found a close freind has a very rich fantasy life. He believes much of what is on YouTube about aliens, super soldiers, Planet X, and so forth. This is not what concerns me. He now believes he was a super soldier with the CIA who had implants placed inside him when a child. ETs visit him on a regular basis. Just the other night he found an alien in his kitchen late that night. He sees space ships in the sky everywhere he looks. The pictures are just clouds that present like a Rorschach test, like one can see bunny rabbit shaped clouds. On a hike, we saw a person who looked a bit unusual. He believes that person was a time traveler checking up on him. His mother and I are very concerned.

This situation has become much worse over time. Does this make any sense? I am not looking for a diagnosis. I just want your impressions on this situation. We do not know what to do. He is 55 years old. I am afraid of challenging his delusions. He is not able to hold down a job. He is on disability but not for what appears to be his MI.

Any comments will be appreciated.

He thinks this is real, it's only fantasy to you. These are delusions, not fantasies. I hope your friend is seeing a pdoc.

He is seeing a pdoc, but he is only being treated for depression and anxiety. I hope this does not get worse.

I think it's ok to question his delusions in a non-threatening way. You shouldn't just accept them as it will only reinforce them in his mind. But asking about them or questioning them is ok. You will know when to pull back or change the subject. You don't want to be cut out of his life. He may begin to see you as the enemy if you push too hard. But softly is ok. For example, if you can find a way to orchestrate it in a way for him to question his own delusion it may cause him to bring it up to his pdoc if only to prove you wrong

Good luck!

This is really painful to observe in someone you care about. As long as you feel safe doing so it is appropriate and possibly helpful to express disagreement (you dont see spaceships, etc.). Sometimes disability contributes to mental illness, and vice versa. I reconnected with an old friend who was diagnosed borderline and getting intensive care, socially isolated. And my just calling and emailing him made an impact. Hes now in school getting a degree and working part time. All that is just to say whatever social contact you can offer your friend that keeps you both grounded may make a positive difference for him. But if G-d forbid he continues to retreat in delusions, your engagement is admirable. Hope things can improve for him.