Ever been legitimately concerned about the mental stability of someone you knew?

Question

I am reposting this is a separate place to see if I can get some differing responses. I posted it in polls and surveys for a quick overview, but am hoping this might generate some more thought out responses.

I don't mean the casual 'They're crazy' kind of statements. I mean, the legitimate fear that they were emotionally and psychologically unbalanced and that they might harm others, or lash out in unpredictable fashion. I work with someone like this, and I am really not sure how to proceed. I don't want to end up involved in a workplace shooting, or have some other traumatic incident occur without doing everything I can to help them, and to safeguard against their own issues. Any suggestions?

Answer 1

I have a friend who has been diagnosed Bi Polar.

I have an acquaintance that suffers from issues arising from water on the brain.

I have another acquaintance that has been diagnosed Schizo Affective.


Whenever you have someone in your life that is acting as if they are disturbed - contact your supervisor about your concern.

Call your local Mental Heath Department and ask for advice about the behaviors exhibited.

If threats are made against self or others - make your supervisor aware and then make a visit to your local police department. Ask them for advice on what constitutes legally necessary intervention. They may find the threats worth investigating.

You do not want to exacerbate a situation without it being warranted.

Some people go through troubling patches in their lives without being mentally ill... some are mentally ill - but high functioning - and no one knows there is a problem before a crisis arises.

Consult professionals and leave it to professional until you see something that arises to the level of being necessary to call in emergency personnel. The professionals will let you know what that point is according to the laws and ordinances in your area.

Peace, hon - and good luck.

Answer 2

Yes, my nephew. He is very unstable right now, is an alcoholic, taking pills, cutting himself and all around depressed and full of anxiety. The best thing I have found is to be there for him and let him talk about what's going on in his mind. When he's here we try to watch funny movies and cheer him up the best we can. I told him I would always be here and to call me no matter what time and he does that when he needs to talk. He says it has really helped him. For someone you work with it's a bit more difficult. Just try to talk to him and include him in things. He has to want help and realize he needs it before anything else. Good luck to you.

Answer 3

Yes, I have definitely had that experience. In fact, I'm in the middle of it now, unfortunately.

First, take steps to protect yourself. Walk longer routes to avoid the person, have an emergency plan in mind, etc.

Second, be sure everyone (don't single anyone out) knows what support mechanisms are available in the workplace to support anyone who is having a tough time. Maybe even attend something yourself to show you're not pointing fingers.

Answer 4

yeah I have unfortunantly......there usually isn't anything too much we can do though. If you can get the person to a hospital they do a 51/50 evaluation. They wouldn't do it on my sister last year until she was driving them nuts, then they sure did. Came out that she wasn't a danger to anyone, just a master manipulator........gosh, that was the day I saw that she got it from my mom.

There are social services you can contact, suicide hotline, those always get a police response and psych evaluaton. Adult protective services too.

Answer 5

I had (still have actually) a friend who usually acted completely normal. He was a little off kilter, but it wasn't like he was a complete sociopath, and he always made sense in a sort of 'I'm going to ignore reality and just live life' sort of way. He was commonly depressed, and he's threatened to cut himself before, but a lot of people have those sort of urges every once in a while, myself included, and generally, he was a completely normal person.

One day he came up to me and told me his name was Shadow. I denied it, telling him his real name and trying to calm him down. He told me he was 'Living in [my friends name] head] and only got out when he was angry. he proceeded to deny his name, then threatened to strangle me when I told him his real name yet again. fortunately this kid is not the most threatening person on the planet, and I've had those sorts of situations before, so I called his bluff and he backed off. A little later his sister came to me and told me she was genuinely worried about him and so was their doctor. Apparently he had been diagnosed.

In the course of a few hours i found out my friend was insane. I tried to avoid him from then on, half afraid he'd break and attack me, but he seemed completely normal. I've never seen a repeat of the situation in the year or so since then, but I don't think I'm likely to forget it.

Answer 6

You should report the person anonymously to someone higher up, if its your boss then their boss. Just mail an anonymous letter to them. Better safe than sorry.