How to Get Paranoid Patients to Take Their Medications

Paranoid patients live in a state of permanent delusion. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders indicates that such patients experience unsupported doubts about others, are suspicious and frequently reads negative commutations into innocent remarks and actions. The most common type of paranoia is persecutory paranoia, through which the patient believes that everyone is an enemy, bent on harming him. This mental illness is difficult to treat through psychoanalytic methods because the patient is reluctant to cooperate with doctors. Attempting to get such a patient to take medication from you is equally difficult, says depression-guide.com.

Instructions

• 1

  Interact with the patient in the best possible way after learning as much about the paranoid condition as possible. Learn about coping strategies to better equip yourself to medicate the patient.

• 2

  Provide encouragement, and remember that this person has temporarily lost touch with reality, so be understanding and reasonable when in the patient's vicinity. The patient's delusions are very real to him, but you should not acknowledged them.

• 3

  Avoid acting surprised if the patient exhibits side effects of the anti-psychotic medications. These can include tremors, lethargy or uncontrolled movement.

• 4

  Don't offer non-prescription medicine to the patient. Medication must always be prescribed and monitored by a psychiatrist.

• 5

  Do not miss a dose as it will impact negatively on the patient's progress.

• 6

  Begin a medication session by attempting to win the patient's trust by assuring her that you mean her no harm.

• 7

  Ask the doctor which medication can be crushed into food or drink, and attempt to medicate the patient through this method if you are unsuccessful in getting the patient to accept liquid, pill or capsule medicine from you.

• 8

  Be somewhat flexible in your approach, and allow the patient some control in taking medication. Each person is an individual and will respond differently to your approach. If the patient will eventually take medication himself after you have placed it at his bedside table, be patient and wait. Never leave the room without seeing the person take the medication if you allow the patient to help himself to the medication.