How do you tell a loved one they need psychiatric help?


Question:
Someone very close to me is a hypochondriac. In the last year they have gone from complaining that they have, Diabetes, cancer, heart disease, needs a new liver, brain tumor, someone is poisoning them untill finally last night he honostly believes he might have Mad Cow's disease. Help, his constant illnesses are driving me crazy.....

Answers:
This one is difficult because no one wants to be confronted for their behaviours. I am not a professional but i think I can help. When you approach the person about these issues it is imperative that you tell them up front that you are doing this out of a genuine caring spirit. Do not use examples of how their actions embarass you because the individual will get the idea that its all about you. This condition must be very confusing to this person as well as instilling unwanted fear. Perhaps the best way to approach this is with empathy. Show them that you love them or care for them. As well point out to them How the action you propose to them will benefit them directly. Never take your mind off of the goal. Should the discussion get off track Immediately lead it back in the proper direction. If the person sees that the problem can be helped with him or her taking the first step encourage this. During the time of treatment by a professional encourage them by pointing how through their use of the suggestions of the professional this improves them. Do Not cast doubt on the work that is being done or the fact that this person can improve. These things take time so be patient. In time with the proper help this person can improve and your efforts can be successful

Other Answers:
My Sister is like this! So is my brother! I'm scared I'm the only sane one in the family!
only way to deal with it is to take them to the doctor and have them explain they have mad cows to the shrink.. and they have to take it from there.. it's harder to treat this then skizo effective disorder
maybe try going to the dr. with them (if they go) and having the dr. suggest that they seek help... and make sure you're able to hear it yourself, and help them follow up on it... if they don't go to the dr. for their "medical" problems, then I'd suggest helping them make an apt and then going with them to the apt - good luck!
i had the same problem 2 days back
my brother is suffering form bipolar i think
i didnt tell him tht he needs psychiatrist
i told him tht i needed to see a counsellor and tht
i wanted him to come along
and he did
i alreasy spoke to the doc about it and he agreed to play along
at the doc's place he asked normal qs to me and then to my bro
and then bro started off himself!!

the doc saw the prob adn prescribed medication
there is always a way out
try lying/tricking them into coming to the doc and explain things later

if they are too violent then sedation is adviced by the doc and u can then take them to the hospital

DONT TELL HIM/HER THAT HE HAS A PROBLEM...TAKE HIM/HER TO THE DOC ; THAT IS MOST IMPORTANT
i used to be that way. i just tried to relax and realized that just because i smoke and then my neck hurt ,i think that may have lung cancer or something. i see so many of those damn commercials about heart disease and cancer i think that i hurt because i might be in the early or maybe late stages of cancer. i went to the er and they took blood and all my white blood cells appeared to be normal. i was paronoid and a hydrochondriac. you know a therapist may do some good. i see one. a therapist and a psychologist are two different people. try a therapist. hope i was help
if you really love them you will help them yourself. seek help from a church, find alternative ways of help them. But never encourage them to seek out the help from a mental health center. the meds will make them worse


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