How to Help a Person That Seems Paranoid

Dealing with a person who suffers from paranoid personality disorder (PPD) can be a daunting task. PPD sufferers don't trust others and are highly suspicious of people, making it difficult to gain their trust and confidence long enough to help them. Even friendly gestures can be interpreted as being manipulative or malevolent. They often find it hard to forge close relationships with others. Individuals with PPD find it challenging to lower their defenses. They actively look for evidence that others are against them. Medical intervention is often necessary, however, there are some things that family members and friends can do to help control symptoms of paranoia.

Instructions

• 1

  Encourage the individual to seek professional help. Due to their suspicious and distrustful nature, patients with PPD are not likely to seek professional help on their own. Most of the time, their relatives or the legal system orders or encourages them to seek treatment. Psychotherapy is the most common treatment for PPD. Medication can be helpful in reducing paranoia.

• 2

  Avoid arguments. Instead of telling the individual that their fears are irrational, ask specific questions about their fears. If they are open to listening to you, try to clear up any misconceptions using simple language.

• 3

  Give them enough personal space. Many individuals suffering from PPD fear close proximity to others. Put enough physical space between you so they don't feel trapped or surrounded.

• 4

  Remove the individual from situations that cause paranoia attacks. Ask them to tell you what is causing their fear. Try to avoid objects or situations that they fear. If the individual has a strong negative reaction to dogs, try to avoid all situations in which dogs are present.

• 5

  Focus the individual on what is real without downplaying their fear. Make reassuring statements such as "I know you think the FBI is out to get you, but I assure you nobody here is from the FBI."

• 6

  Tell the individual everything you are going to do before you do it so they aren't surprised by your movements and can begin to trust that you will do what you say.

• 7

  Talk about the person's fears when he or she is in a rational state and not experiencing a paranoid attack. Create a plan for handling the fears when they occur. Together, make a list of their fears and at the end of the list, write "These things are not going to hurt me. These fears are a symptom of my illness." Place the list in a common place such as on the refrigerator door or the bedroom door where the individual can refer to it when they start having paranoia attacks.

• 8

  Remind the individual that their feelings of paranoia are symptoms of an illness and that they will feel better once their medications take effect. Encourage the individual to seek professional medical assistance if they haven't already done so.