I have a friend of 10 years who I met through work. We lived in separate countries for a long time but stayed in touch professionally. In the last few years he's become very unwell mentally. I'm no expert but it seems like a form of schizophrenia or schizo-affective disorder. He thinks he's at the centre of a conspiracy by a family member to ruin his life. He thinks he's being followed, hacked, monitored, watched, having his messages/emails changed etc. He thinks if a tap doesn't work then it's part of a conspiracy to destroy him mentally.
He recently been in prison on a suspected arson charge and is out on bail. I've been in contact with his family, lawyers and the mental health crisis team many times. He's been sectioned three times but just won't cooperate so has no official diagnosis. He's desperately afraid and paranoid. He also incredibly demanding- he's sent over 20 emails today and if i don't reply to each one he needs to talk to me on the phone to verify that I got them and that it's really me. He gets very rude and abusive. He accused me of being part of the conspiracy.
Today I was bringing my elderly mother, who has dementia, to an appointment and he tried to call. When I couldn't answer he messaged to say "they" (his family who he thinks are masterminding the conspiracy) are using my mother as a way to prevent me from talking to him and that he needs to be able to talk to me every day. There is one other friend that he also contacts to this degree.
I've encouraged him to get therapy and seek medical help. All doctors are part of the conspiracy. I'm in touch with his family daily but he won't talk to them. I'm trying my best to help him but it's turning into a full-time responsibility and I can't keep it up.
Any advice?