[LoveForMyChild]

My daughter struggles with hallucinations as well as voices (approx 27 of them). I am slowly learning how to help her, but a recent event (I had a mild heart attack) has brought more fear into her life and now she is terrified of loosing me. This changed the dynamics of her hallucinations. She still has her regular hallucinations, but now she will also have "attacks" where it's almost like she goes into a different world where she thinks all of her hallucinations (at the time they are real to her) as well as new ones will hunt her down and try to kill her. She had another one tonight and this time she thought they were trying to kill me too. I am SO lost as to how to help her. If I touch her, she goes ballistic thinking it is a hallucination trying to kill her. When I talk to her, there is no effect whatsoever. She might acknowledge that I am talking to her, but I can't get through to her. The longest these episodes last is 1/2 and the shortest one is 5 min. On average they last 10 min. Her therapist has given me a crisis number to call when this happens, but I have been put on hold, and when I have a terrified daughter needing me, I can't wait around with a phone to my ear. She said to call 911 if I can't get a hold of anyone, but based on my experience, I just need to get her through the experience and then she is ok...we have things we do after an episode such as I fix her a calming cup of tea, we sit and talk and I hold her until she feels like she is ready to move on. I know if I call 911, the crisis will be over before they arrive. Does anyone have any suggestions on what I might be able to do to help her DURING one of these episodes? Also, has anyone experienced something like this or heard of it? I seem to be having trouble finding information about it.
Thank you for your input.

Please keep posting. I hope you will find the help you need here. My personal suggestion is for you to pray out loud to God when this occurs. Prayer always helps. Take care.

[Sometimes psychotic]

I'm wondering...you mentioned a therapist but how about a psychiatrist? This isn't something you can just work through. Now I'm not a pdoc but its possible you could get a benzo for this type of temporary thing if the antipsychotics don't work to mellow it out.

[Gr3tta]

Because these episodes are short lived, you maybe able to provide some reassurance by listening to what specifically is scaring her, and trying to alleviate that situation in a safe way. Remember - its as real to her as your reality is to you. Is someone breaking into the house? Tell her and show her you're locking all the doors and windows. Someones watching her through the television? Throw a blanket over it.
I wouldn't suggest being this indulgent if these were long term or continuous hallucinations, but for a temporary fix it might help. Also, if possible, see if you can discover anything that seems to directly trigger them: a sound, a word, a colour, a food, a car light on the wall, could be any number of things.
Because your own health scare has exacerbated her symptoms, be sure to inform and include her in all the things you are doing to be healthy. Explain your medicines, doctor visits, diet, etc. If she feels calmer about your health, the attacks might decrease in frequency.
Thanks for sharing, and for bravely helping your daughter.

[mimi2112]

I agree with what Gr3tta and Sometimes suggested. I also think you are doing a good job. Reassuring her during these times and pointing out she will be able to push through an "attack" is best. Remind her that she has had these attacks before, and that they pass. That is what I tell myself when I am terrified with panic/anxiety. I remind myself that it will pass shortly, and that I've gotten through them before.

I do not believe in calling 911. It is a very extreme thing to do, many of us here have experienced that when it wasn't necessary at all. I think our loved ones panic and they call 911 because of their own fears and insecurities. Having strangers like the police barge into what is supposed to be a safe sanctuary--her home-- can really only reinforce her feelings of suspiciousness and paranoia. Of course, if you or your daughter is in danger that is a different story.

I hope things get better and that you continue to reach out for help and support.

[LoveForMyChild]

Thank you all!
Cracking slowly, I pray out loud and as long as I keep my voice soft, it seems to help some.
Sometimes Psychotic, she has both a therapist and a phychiatrist. She is on 4 different medications and they have helped some...we are discussing possibly changing some to see if other medications help better.
Gr3tta...thank you! She had another episode tonight, and we think we discovered why it happened tonight, but there must be multiple reasons, because the trigger tonight isn't something that normally happens. We will keep working on it. Her psycosis is trauma induced, and the perpetrator received a 25 year sentence...he should have gotten life in my opinion, but I'm thankful he will not be around to hurt her again. She has fears that he will get out of prison and come after her. We have talked through everything more times than I can think about, but understandably, there is still that fear. I do my best to love her through it, encourage and support her.
Thank you, mimi2112...you reassured me about not calling 911 unless absolutely necessary. I will try telling her these thing during an episode.
I am so thankful to have a place to share & get feedback!!!
THANK YOU!!!!