How to Talk to a Delusional Person

In this video I discuss communication methods I learned from working in a psychiatric hospital that you can use in order to effectively communicate with someone experiencing a delusion. I also discuss what a delusion is (and is not). Actual advice starts at 6:48.

Important Note:

I'm not a licensed mental health professional and I only speak from experience working with patients in a psychiatric hospital. The guidelines I present in this video are guidelines that have been recommended by professionals in the field of psychiatry and mental health (for example, the British Columbia Schizophrenia Society: bcss.org/resources/topics-by-audience/family-fr…).

I encourage everyone to seek the assistance of a mental health professional if they believe they or someone close to them is experiencing a mental illness of any kind.

Please *do not* send me emails asking for advice about how to help a friend or loved one who is experiencing delusions. Contact a licensed mental health professional for guidance.

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Video Notes

A delusion is a bizarre belief that someone clings to despite a lack of any supportive evidence. Schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, and bipolar mania are three common mental illnesses that predispose an individual to experiencing delusions.

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I locked comments on this video for the following reasons:

1) I’ve received angry comments and messages from people who are convinced I’m part of some kind of conspiracy. I guess I should’ve anticipated that might happen. Either way, while I empathize with those individuals for the suffering they’re experiencing, I don’t want immerse myself in negativity.

2) Various commenters have resorted to making zingers about how my video helped them understand how to talk to ‘liberals’ or ’conservatives.’ I don’t want my work to be politicized.

3) Several users have been invoking their religious beliefs as evidence they claim disproves various points I made in this video. Everyone has the freedom to believe in whatever religious views they wish, but those views will have to be taken to another forum because my work is areligious.

As always, if you’re concerned about your mental health or the mental health of someone close to you, contact a local mental health professional for advice.

Best wishes,

Zach