Advice please???

[Sth]

Hi I'm very new to this and I need some help or advice please. My brother suffers from what we believe is paranoid schizophrenia (not diagnosed) but he won't admit it and doesn't believe he needs help. This has completely taken every aspect of his life, his been in and out of jail because of it, and our family keep trying all these different services that say they can't do anything until he asks for help!!! His not going to ask for help because he doesn't think he needs help!!!! We don't know where to turn or where to get some help, we live everyday worried that out next phone call is going to be his found dead or have killed somebody. What do we do?? 

[Ru-bee]

Hello and welcome @Sth 

This is such a hard situation to be in, and I can hear how frightening, and how frustrating it has been. 

I wish I had more guidance to give you, but as those services have said you can't force someone to have treatment if they don't want it or believe they need it. The exception to this is if he is posing a real threat to himself or others in a way where you believe there is imminent danger. If you believe that to be the case then it's important to contact emergency services on 000

Other than this what you can do is be there for them as much as they will allow, let them know that you're there to assist them in getting help when/if they are ready, and look after yourself as much as you can by seeking your own support. 

[chibam]

@Sth  The trouble with most so-called "help" services is that they don't really help the patient at all. Their more likely to be a thorn in their side then anything else. And most patients who have any history of the system, or who are familiar with it through word-of-mouth, will be very resistant to getting involved with it.

Is your brother happy with his life? If not, in what way is he dissatisfied (for lack of a better word) with it? Do you know of anyone who can help him to solve this specific problem for him, in a manner that he would find agreeable?

Maybe if some progress could be made towards making him satisfied with his life, he would be less volatile towards the world around him?

[tyme]

Hey @Sth ,

I'm sorry to hear about your brother. That sounds like a very stressful situation for family members. Is his paranoia drug/alcohol related?

Unfortunatley, many who experience paranoia are unaware there is an issue. It's only when things start falling apart that they realise, "Something's not right". And only then may they seek help.

Please look after yourself. That's probably the only thing within your control.

If you are concerned about your brother's safety, please contact 000.

[Wonder]

He needs to be assessed in a mental health ward and put on medication. I was diagnosed with paranoid scizophrenia several years ago and I can say from personal experience that it will get better.

I was involuntarily held in the mental ward and hated it, but can see why years later. He needs something like that before he hurts himself or someone else.

[Mayar40]

Is there anyone at all that he trusts or listens to that can try to guide him ?? Can you try to conduct a psychiatrist for their advice or even call hospital ward and see when or how they can step in ?? Is there a way to convince him by evidence ( in an unoffensive way) about his behaviour so he knows,he needs help? I hope you will get help soon.

[Jbb]

Have a look at this, it may help you,

https://leapinstitute.org/about/

[Jbb]

LEAP is a communication program to help you create relationships with people who are unable to understand they are ill, with the goal of helping them accept treatment. The LEAP training program is evidence-based

I think this is worth a try,

good luck