How to Handle Someone Having Delusions:What You Need to Know to Help Your Loved One

how to handle someone having delusions sun columbus

As of June 2024, the national crisis lifeline has received an average of 9,804 monthly calls from Ohio area codes. There are several reasons why someone might be having a mental health crisis and need to call for help, and learning about the possible symptoms increases your understanding of when someone you love might need assistance.

At SUN Behavioral Health Columbus, we help our patients’ families understand how to help their loved ones through many symptoms they might encounter. Today, we will discuss how to handle someone having delusions.

What Are Delusions?

Delusions are false beliefs that impact a person’s cognitive functioning. The person with the delusion will believe that it is 100% true even if presented with evidence that it is not. This belief is not associated with a person’s religious, cultural, or intelligence background. It is also not associated with overvalued ideas that a person might have because these often include some level of doubt. The exact content of a delusion varies from person to person and has infinite possibilities.

Delusions can occur as a result of several disorders that include psychological, physical, and neurological. Common conditions that delusions may be a symptom of include bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, delirium, psychotic disorders, and dementia.

The 7 Types of Delusions

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-5) recognizes 7 types of delusions that someone might have. Below is a chart that includes each type and examples. Keep in mind that delusions are often unique to each individual, so these are not the only possible ones.

        
                Delusion Type
                Explanation
                Possible Examples
        
                Persecutory
                The belief that someone or a group of people are planning to hurt, harass, or sabotage you. 
                The belief that the government is trying to poison you, the belief that your neighbors are stealing from you, the belief the mailman is trying to hurt you.
        
                Grandiose
                The belief that you are better than everyone else regarding wealth, fame, or talents. It can also include the belief in having special powers.
                The belief that you are a religious deity, the belief that you can predict the future, the belief that you know the cure to cancer.
        
                Referential
                Despite no logical connection, the belief is that places, events, objects, or people have a personal significance in your life.
                The belief that people on the radio are talking specifically about you, the belief that the people on the bus are talking about you, the belief that a random car license plate means something to you.
        
                Erotomanic
                The belief that someone is in love with you. 
                The belief that a famous person is in a relationship with you, the belief that someone is stalking you, the belief that someone is trying to leave secret signs or messages for you.
        
                Somatic
                The belief is that natural body functions and sensations are signs of a serious medical condition.
                The belief that your body has been infested with parasites, the belief that your body has a foul odor, the belief that there is a foreign object stuck in your throat.
        
                Nihilistic
                The belief that life has no meaning or purpose. It may also include beliefs that a significant tragedy will happen.
                The belief that you are dead and decomposing, the belief that the world is ending, the belief that you no longer have any internal organs.
        
                Bizarre
                Beliefs that are not possible or not connected to any cultural practices and cannot be explained by life experiences. 
                The belief that aliens are inside your mind, the belief that an outside force is controlling your actions and thoughts, the belief that your internal organs have been replaced with someone else’s.

Delusion Type	Explanation	Possible Examples
Persecutory	The belief that someone or a group of people are planning to hurt, harass, or sabotage you.	The belief that the government is trying to poison you, the belief that your neighbors are stealing from you, the belief the mailman is trying to hurt you.
Grandiose	The belief that you are better than everyone else regarding wealth, fame, or talents. It can also include the belief in having special powers.	The belief that you are a religious deity, the belief that you can predict the future, the belief that you know the cure to cancer.
Referential	Despite no logical connection, the belief is that places, events, objects, or people have a personal significance in your life.	The belief that people on the radio are talking specifically about you, the belief that the people on the bus are talking about you, the belief that a random car license plate means something to you.
Erotomanic	The belief that someone is in love with you.	The belief that a famous person is in a relationship with you, the belief that someone is stalking you, the belief that someone is trying to leave secret signs or messages for you.
Somatic	The belief is that natural body functions and sensations are signs of a serious medical condition.	The belief that your body has been infested with parasites, the belief that your body has a foul odor, the belief that there is a foreign object stuck in your throat.
Nihilistic	The belief that life has no meaning or purpose. It may also include beliefs that a significant tragedy will happen.	The belief that you are dead and decomposing, the belief that the world is ending, the belief that you no longer have any internal organs.
Bizarre	Beliefs that are not possible or not connected to any cultural practices and cannot be explained by life experiences.	The belief that aliens are inside your mind, the belief that an outside force is controlling your actions and thoughts, the belief that your internal organs have been replaced with someone else’s.

The DSM-5 also includes an unspecified delusion type for ones that do not fit into the categories listed above.

Common Signs of Delusions: How to Tell if Someone Is Having Them

It can be challenging to know for sure if someone is having delusions or if their belief system is simply different from your own. This is especially true regarding beliefs associated with one’s cultural, spiritual, and religious backgrounds. However, there are a few signs that someone might be having delusions that are not typically associated with non-delusion-based beliefs. These include:

Agitation
Aggressiveness
Depression
Confusion
Fear
No reasoning can shake the belief
The belief is not shared by their peers who have a similar religion, social group, or cultural background
Memory concerns
Hallucinations

How to Help Someone With Delusions

It can be difficult to know someone you love is experiencing delusions, and it is expected that you will want to help them see the truth. However, keep in mind that to the person, the delusions they are experiencing are very real, and any amount of evidence will not be able to change their minds. It is essential that you do not try to argue with them, laugh at them, shame them, or even pretend to agree with their delusions. These actions are not helpful and might make their symptoms worse. With that said, below are some things that you can do to help your loved one when it comes to their delusions.

Establish Trust

Before you do anything else, it is crucial to establish trust between you and the person experiencing delusions. Do not do anything that might be seen as suspicious or give them a reason to believe you will hurt or harm them. Create a safe space where they can feel like you care and that they can safely share their fears, concerns, and conclusions. Take a genuine and non-rushed interest in listening to what they say.

Avoid Challenging Delusions

While there might be clear evidence that the person’s delusions are wrong, do not try to disprove them. Attempting to challenge them often makes the person distressed and anxious and feel like they are no longer safe around you. These beliefs are also not based on logical facts, so providing them with evidence that their delusions are wrong will make the person feel misunderstood and want to become defensive or withdrawn.

Offer Support Without Judgment

Instead, offer them your support without judging their delusions. Empathize with their emotions, not necessarily the content of their belief. Remain neutral in your opinion on whether the delusion is true or not. Still, suppose they express fear, anxiety, sadness, etc., concerning that belief. In that case, you can empathize with those emotions and respond with kindness and understanding. This shows your loved one that you value and respect them.

Encourage Them to Seek Help

There is only so much that you can do for your loved one, and encouraging them to seek treatment will help them learn how they can cope with their delusions. Do not try and force them to go to treatment. If the person is not at risk of harming others or themselves, you cannot make them attend.

In some cases, bringing it up might be met with resistance. They might not be aware they need help or be open to receiving help. This is why you must establish trust and support before suggesting the idea of treatment. While they might not be open to it at first, continuing to remain a safe and kind place may make them want to seek help in the future.

When to Seek Outside Help When Handling Someone With Delusions

If a person’s delusions lead you to believe that they are a danger to themselves or someone else, seeking outside help is essential. In this case, you can take them to a 24/7 crisis care center, which will connect your loved one to a compassionate, professional team that will help them start managing their symptoms. Explain your specific and concise observations and the symptoms you notice them having to the crisis care staff. They are trained to effectively help your loved one in a way that will de-escalate the situation and begin their evaluation and treatment. Their treatment will include a combination of medications and therapy that will help manage their symptoms and make it easier to sort through the thoughts and beliefs they have.

However, getting your loved one to attend treatment may be difficult, especially if they resist the idea. First, if they don’t trust you, find someone they do trust to help you. Do not appear to be challenging, threatening, or hostile to them, and speak at a moderate pace. If your loved one asks questions, answer calmly and comply with safe and reasonable requests. Stay calm and allow your loved one to move around freely if they want to. If the situation becomes dangerous, you should make sure that you have an exit to remove yourself and call a mental health service for assistance.

common signs of delusions how to tell if someone is having them

Mental Health Treatment Is Available in Columbus, OH

Mental health treatment is proven to help many people who have delusions find peace and stability in their lives. Your loved one will receive kindness, support, and understanding as they gain the necessary tools and guidance to identify and change thoughts and emotions that are harming them.

At SUN Behavioral Health Columbus, we solve unmet needs for adolescents and adults in our community. Our no-cost care assessments allow us to work with your loved one and their doctor and determine the best treatment plan to help them recover from their delusions. To learn more, call us today at 614-706-2786.