she is having dillusions that people at work are recording her at home, are following her and harassing her. She also believes that epeople have been braking into her home. there is no evidence of any of this. She recently had some bad memories come to surface about a rape that happened to her as a teenager and being molested as a child. She had kept these memories surpressed for 15 - 20 years and then something triggered them. She has been through counseling and was doing much better and then all of a sudden, she got into an "unhelathy" relationship and things went down hill from there. The person was a police officer, hence the reason she believed (at first) she was being bugged. But that relationship eneded two years ago and now she thinks other people in work are following her and recording her.
Q: my friend does not believe she is ill. How can I get her help?
Hi Moko,
I'm keeping a running ticker of the number of times people ask me the question you've asked us here. You're #21.
Anosognosia, the lack of awareness that one has an illness, is a symptom of the SZ that affects up to 50 percent of the people who have SZ.
The goal is not to convince your friend to believe she's sick, the goal is to get her into treatment. People will take the meds, even if they're not convinced they're sick, if they perceive that doing so will enable them to achieve their goals.
So please, refrain from repeatedly trying to convince her she's sick.
As with everyone who asks the same question you've asked, I recommend you read the Xavier Amador book, I Am Not Sick, I Don't Need Help, to find techniques you can use to learn how to couch what you say to your friend so that she will consider treatment. He's worked with thousands of people who encountered anosognosia in their loved ones and friends.
It's a short book, well worth the read. In it he talks about motivational interviewing, and the LEAP technique, both of which greatly aid people in helping their loved ones or friends see that taking medication would benefit them.
Regards,
Christina
Take note of her bizarre thoughts and delusions, and seek professional assistance. You should contact a psychiatrist for further instruction. Her delusions could lead her to harm herself or others out of fear.
Please let me know whether my advice was beneficial to you.
Ashley
We had the same problem with my uncle, we had to figure out what was actually bothering him, and it was lack of sleep because of the noices he was hearing we told him that if he saw a docter, they could give him "sleeping pills" and its been 17 years and he still thinks they are sleeping pills or else he would not take them. See the voices tell him he is not sick thats why. I wish I could be more of help but its a tuff one when they wont help them selfs. GL
If your friend has family please contact them to make sure they are aware of what is going on. They need to be aware of it. Don't give up if they do not believe you at first. Ask them to not confront her about what you said so as not to hurt the trust that she has in you. She needs to have that.
If she tells you she feels suicidal immediately contact family or 911.
Someone needs to be her contact all the time.
I would find some phone numbers in your area so that you have someone to talk to. NAMI or a crisis center.
You are a good friend - good luck
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