[AmorDei]

Good afternoon,

I've been working to get my brother the help that he needs. He has been showing classic symptoms of schizophrenia e.g. the government or terrorists are after him, bugging his technology, conspiracy theories, ect.

After finally getting him insurance, my family and I got him scheduled with a psychiatrist. However, since his first meeting with her, he has been adamant about the fact that she told him his paranoia was real and actually happening. It seems that this only feeds into his delusions, strengthening them.

At first I thought he was mistaken and took something the wrong way. I couldn't imagine why in the world a professional would feed into his delusions. But my mother called her today and the psychiatrist did in fact confirm that she had told my brother he was right about his delusions. She said that it's the only way to reason with people in his condition.

Is this normal? It seems counterproductive to me. The only thing I can think of is that she wants to relate to him so he'll take the medicine he needs. Then once the medicine kicks in she'll correct his thinking.

Has anyone else had this experience? Thanks in advance and God bless.

- AmorDei

[OliverB]

Normally... You shouldn't argue with someone who is having a delusion

For him it's real, even if for the rest of the World it's not.

BUT, as far as I know psychiatrists never tell you your delusions are true, they simply don't argue about it with you. Maybe they say something subtly to check how much insight you have. If they know you for some time, they may tell you you are having a delusion, but if they tell you this the first time they see you, you won't come back.

This is just my experience.

[AmorDei]

Originally Posted by Nocter

Normally... You shouldn't argue with someone who is having a delusion

For him it's real, even if for the rest of the World it's not.

BUT, as far as I know psychiatrists never tell you your delusions are true, they simply don't argue about it with you. Maybe they say something subtly to check how much insight you have. If they know you for some time, they may tell you you are having a delusion, but if they tell you this the first time they see you, you won't come back.

This is just my experience.

Thanks for your response, Nocter. I've read the same thing - that it isn't healthy to agree with loved ones who have delusions since it reinforces their misconceptions. That's why I was a bit alarmed when I heard what my brother's psychiatrist did just that.

But what you're saying makes sense, too. He gets very defensive at times when no one agrees with him. He even makes accusations that we're either in on the conspiracy or know about it somehow. So perhaps the doctor is trying to build trust. I just hope it doesn't backfire because now when people explain that what he is experiencing isn't real, he just quotes his doctor by telling everyone that even his doctor agrees with him.

[Sometimes psychotic]

generally they try to remain neutral but they will try to build an alliance by not denying the delusions----once the meds kick in its a lot easier----specifically telling someone the delusions are wrong only alienates them....

[Shoe]

Maybe the psychiatrist is a victim of government mind control too.

[greentires4me]

my pdoc told me that my paranoia was right because the cameras were following me and that they where sharing the information to the government.

Originally Posted by AmorDei

Good afternoon,

I've been working to get my brother the help that he needs. He has been showing classic symptoms of schizophrenia e.g. the government or terrorists are after him, bugging his technology, conspiracy theories, ect.

After finally getting him insurance, my family and I got him scheduled with a psychiatrist. However, since his first meeting with her, he has been adamant about the fact that she told him his paranoia was real and actually happening. It seems that this only feeds into his delusions, strengthening them.

At first I thought he was mistaken and took something the wrong way. I couldn't imagine why in the world a professional would feed into his delusions. But my mother called her today and the psychiatrist did in fact confirm that she had told my brother he was right about his delusions. She said that it's the only way to reason with people in his condition.

Is this normal? It seems counterproductive to me. The only thing I can think of is that she wants to relate to him so he'll take the medicine he needs. Then once the medicine kicks in she'll correct his thinking.

Has anyone else had this experience? Thanks in advance and God bless.

- AmorDei

The psychiatrist is an amateur..if in fact he/she said that. However there is a massive difference between saying that paranoia is real to saying X is real when X is clearly a delusion...

[AubreaM]

I had many similar delusions bout mind control when i was in psychosis. My dr never confirmed that they were true. I have been in therapy and on medication for three years. Yesterday was the first day my dr told me that might delusions werent real. Im at a point now that i understand its from my schizophrenia but it is still real to me. Some of the events were found to be true without me knowing. Still scares me but its hard for me to deny the facts. So no matter how unbelievable the stories may sound. Its still his reality.