how to handle with a person like this?

Question

there is a freind of mine who complains that he see somebody talking to him from opposite house and says even he have been there too. he feels most of the time like someone is talking to him
when in real nobody is there,he sleeps a lot even if taken medicine or not.but says he has no sleep.can such person get normal after treatment as its already 2yrs of him taking medication.he says nobody can understand his problem though the family is so supportive and try their best in giving care.how can such person help himself in getting normal,shd we have any hope?

he's already seeing a doc but they 're just giving the same medicine.i want to know have anyone experience such person getting normal it may be helpful to know.

Answer 1

I gues the first hing is if he is otherwise hetlthy?
Second would be do these 'people' tell him to harm himself or others?
third, who is to say what normal is? His brain is reacting exactly as if he were really seeing something.l..therefore that is his reality...and being different from yours, does this make him not normal...everyone on this forum has a different perception does that make us any more or less normal???

anyway, seriously...he needs to have a second or a third or a fourth opinion...his meds need to be modified and he needs to be monitored closely until they find something that works...many mental health practitioners do not, unless they are paid handsomely thoughprivate funds, pay close enough attention to medications...and the families don't know what to look for.

Answer 2

man! i bet nobody DOES understand him! it's gotta be so tough! then again, you have to be sure that he's not doing it for the attention.
okay, now that that's settled, sleep medication is normally so strong that you can't wake up... common sense right? so if this guy already has trouble with what is real and what isn't, he probably doesn't differentiate dreaming from living and if that's the case, his brain can't rest ( therefore he's hallucinating things. ) i bet if taken off all the medication for sleeping (or given placebos, since it sounds like he still needs other med.s, you don't want to give him the idea that he's better off without! ) he'll do better because he will randomly wake up and realize that it is a dream. good luck, and try not to tell him what is real and what isn't... how are we to know that he really doesn't see something? maybe we are the crazy ones!

Answer 3

it sounds like he has schizophrenia, or schizo-affective disorder. he may need a change in meds. these disorders are very difficult to understand if you're not knowledgeable about them...if you feel confused, the person living with it is 10 times as confused about it as you are. you cannot convince a schizophrenic person that what they are seeing or hearing is not real, cuz it is to them. there are varying degrees of severity of this disorder. he can possibly improve with the right meds. i urge you to get him in for a new evaluation. schizophrenic people are very intelligent, but you can't rationalize with them when they're meds aren't working properly. very best of luck with this.
**edits**
in answer to your add'l comments:
my adopted son began having mental illness issues at age 4. it's been a rollercoaster ride, to say the least. he was born addicted to alcohol and cocaine...so he was learning delayed. he was diagnosed with schizophrenia at age 18. he's now 21, and finally more stable since he's decided to go back on meds...he was a "guinea pig" with the meds for many, many years. it can take a long time to find the right combination that works, with the fewest side-effects. he lived on the streets for 2 years, and started using meth with the people he travelled with. he still stays away from the family, even though we have all supported him his entire life...but that's his decision, and we honor it. some of the meds that have been most helpful for him are: effexor xl, risperdal, seroquel, and zyprexa. he took lithium for years, but it slowly became ineffective. again, best of luck.

Answer 4

he needs to find another doctor..and find a medication/combo of meds that will help quiet the voices..he sounds schiophrenic and there are good treatments...might help to find a shrink that is a neuropharmacoligist..they specialize in psychotropic medications for these illnesses..be kind and patient..there is always hope...there can be better living through chemistry!

Answer 5

Normal? No. He sounds schizophrenic. If he is still seeing/hearing people that are not there....he needs to see his doctor right away. They may change the dose of his medications or put him on something different.

Answer 6

When he is telling you these types of things, don't try to explain that it is not happening. From your end, all you can do is say "okay" and move on.

In the meantime, he needs to stick with his medication and he needs to see a therapist. They can help him and the best thing you can do is be a friend.

Answer 7

I am not a doctor but it does sound like your friend has schizophrenia. Encourage your friend to find another doctor because apparently his medication isn't working well for him. I hope this helps.

Answer 8

This might be helpful
http://sensitive-psychoworld.blogspot.com/