How to Help Someone With Delusional Disorder
Delusional disorders are quite common and range from mild to severe. A mild form of delusion might feature some everyday paranoia, while a more severe form could be a debilitating story that an individual believes in. Either way, a delusional disorder can be managed with support.
Establish Trust with the person
When you are working with someone who has a delusional disorder, trust is one of the most important foundational elements. Often, delusional disorders have a paranoid element and levels of sensitivity that make it difficult to gain and maintain the trust of the delusional person.
It’s important not to dismiss the delusion, as any attempt to do so will be viewed as distrust. Instead, ask questions about the experience of the individual with the delusion; not only will this build some trust, but it will also help you uncover helpful details about the nature of the delusion.
Identify Delusion
It’s important to identify the delusion so that you can work constructively with it. Empathize with the person for the purposes of trust and solidarity, and try to find out more about the underlying causes, reasons, and forces that have created a story in which the individual fully believes.
If you want to gain more clarity about what the individual is talking about, try to paraphrase what they say - again, this helps to build trust and empathy. Try not to argue, judge, or disagree with the individual; instead, you can find holes in the story and seek answers to rational questions.
Investigate the mental Issue
Working with a delusional disorder can be challenging, but it’s important to assess the extent of the condition and how it is interfering with the individual’s life. In some cases, a person may have a delusional belief, but they can still operate in the world and sustain good relationships.
Find out more about how the delusion is affecting the person’s working life, family life, and general wellbeing; also, find out if the person has taken any actions based on their beliefs and what those actions were. This can help you determine the best course of action to help them.
Assess the Delusion symptoms
Some delusions are very brief, while others are more long-lasting. Assess the delusion and monitor it for a time period. Look out for patterns such as the intensity of the delusion and when the delusion occurs - it might occur at a certain time of the day. This will help you find treatment.
There are several ways to manage delusions; these include psychotherapy, CBT, MBSR, and medications. As a friend or partner, you may not be in the best position to recommend treatment, but you can encourage them to seek help, ideally from a medical professional.
Seek Helpful Solutions
One of the most helpful solutions to a delusional disorder in the early stages is talking therapy which helps to explore the issues in a safe environment. Depending on how attached someone is to their beliefs, they might be able to undergo further therapies on their own or with support.