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Concerned about a friend

morningselenite
Community Member

Hello! This is my first forum post.

A good friend of mine has been pretty isolated recently, and I’m a bit concerned about his mental health. (Of course, we’ve all been in lockdown, but he’s been avoidant since before then and hasn’t been talking or posting much anywhere. The last I saw of him was a few months ago and he seemed quiet but not concerningly so) I invited him over recently and he called on the night in a state saying he couldn’t come because ‘people were following him’, which I found a bit worrying. He also posted something online mentioning whispers agitating him, which sounded like he might’ve been hallucinating? Anyway, I visited him this afternoon and he’s acting pretty off - muttering to himself and just not seeming to pay much attention to anything, leaving and reentering the room because ‘someone threatened him through his window this morning’ and he thought someone would break in, stated like that was totally normal. I asked if everything was okay and he mentioned he’s been pretty anxious and hasn’t been sleeping much as well as hasn’t been completing his school work recently.

When I brought up talking to someone he was pretty insistent that he’d deal with it alone, but I’m worried it’s some kind of psychosis. I know he’s struggled with anxiety for a long time but I’ve never seen him acting like this in the time I’ve known him, and it was a little unsettling. What should I do? Does this sound like psychotic behaviour over just anxiety, should I be pushing harder for him to visit his GP or am I worrying/meddling excessively? We’ve been quite close in the past and the complete distance is unlike him, I don’t know what’s overstepping.

Any ideas or opinions would be appreciated!!

3 Replies 3

Sophie_M
Moderator
Moderator
Hi morningselenite,
  Welcome to the forums! We're so grateful that you have reached out here. We're really sorry to hear what your friend is going through at the moment, but he sounds very lucky to have such a caring friend like yourself.  If you feel up to it, we'd also recommend getting in touch with our Support Service which is available 24/7 on 1300 22 4636 or you can visit on our website www.beyondblue.org.au/getsupport for online chat. One of our friendly counsellors will be able to give you some information and advice to help you and your friend. You might also find some helpful advice on our page "Talking to someone you are worried about" https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/have-the-conversation/talking-to-someone-you-are-worried-a... We hope that you keep checking back in with us to let us know how you are going with your friend whenever you feel up to it. 

romantic_thi3f
Blue Voices Member
Blue Voices Member

Hi morningselenite,

Welcome to the forums and thank you for reaching out - it's so kind of you to join and post out of worry and concern for your friend; for what it's worth, he is very fortunate to have a friend like yourself.

I don't think there is any part of you that is worrying or meddling- I think that these are red flags of losing touch with reality. I also think when people start to lose touch (or have lost touch) with reality - it's kind of impossible to 'go at it alone'. It seems like your friends priority is keeping himself safe from all of these perceived dangers, not seemingly aware that these dangers aren't actually real.

Would your friend be open to getting some extra help or support? Or alternatively could there be some other people who might be able to intervene to help out?

rt

SarahZ
Champion Alumni
Champion Alumni

Hi @morningselenite,

Welcome to the forum! From your post it really shows how deeply you care about your friend; I'm sure he would be extremely appreciative of it.

It does sound like your friend might benefit from seeking some professional support. I completely agree with @romantic_thi3f - you definitely aren't meddling too much. The signs he are showing do suggest he might be struggling and needs some extra support.

If he isn't open to getting some extra assistance, potentially ask someone close to him (i.e., parents, siblings) who might be able to talk to him?

Hope to hear any progress, if you are up to it.

Wishing you all the best!