How much of this is just empty talk?
How much of this is just empty talk?
The only way to help someone with paranoia is to pay attention and realize there’s nothing you can do except be there and express your concern. If things become severe, you may need to accept that you can’t fix everything and trust in something greater. You don’t have to believe in a deity, but demonstrating care matters most—even if all your efforts fall short.
This individual really needs counseling and medication. After 16 to 18 years managing schizophrenia, I’m finally symptom-free. Medication was crucial, but it’s a tool that must be used properly. When they’re ready for support, they should seek it out—there’s nothing more effective than help. I’ve kept my symptoms private for years because I wasn’t prepared, and I wouldn’t have received too many prescriptions. Recently, their main medication was increased by one level, which I’d started two to four years prior and built up gradually. This adjustment felt right. I feel a bit better now, which is a positive change. My message is clear: recovery is a long journey, and you need assistance, but until you’re open to it, no one can help.
It's not a case of complete distrust, just relying on someone else's advice.