Supporting a relative with delusional beliefs

[Tollytins123]

For several months, a close relative has had some very worrying delusional beliefs but is entirely convinced their fears are rational. They have been assessed previously but refuse to accept they have a mental health problem, have a deep mistrust of prodessional services (part of the delusional beliefs) so mask symptoms very well and decline further help. We’ve been told as they are deemed to have capacity MH crisis team can’t force help despite us explaining everything in detail.
As a family, we are exhausted. There is a young child is involved and while loved greatly and there is no physical harm, to be constantly exposed to this distress must be emotionally damaging.
If you have been through a similar experience how do you balance supporting them while safeguarding the child and the rest of the family? I have tried my best but have a young disabled son who requires a lot of care so this has been especially exhausting.

You are probably bring careful not to 'out' this person, but I would need some detail about what they believe and how it affects the child, in order to comment.

I experienced similar as a child in the 1980s. My father didn’t leave and moved into spare room instead. He constantly tried to get help but it took my mother’s health declining and paying to go into the Priory privately to get Mum the care she needed. She was diagnosed with schizophrenia. It’s more unusual to be diagnosed in your 40s - usually happens younger which I don’t think helped. She didn’t believe she was ill and wouldn’t engage. So my Dad had to wait until she hit the criteria to be sectioned. It took years from when we all knew she was ill.

I don’t know what the laws are around recording her comments? Maybe speak to a psychiatrist privately or NHS (if you can) and ask them what information needs to be collected for action to be taken. It’s not uncommon for people with delusions, hallucinations or mania to not recognise they’re ill so this won’t be a new situation for them.

Emotional damage is equally harmful to physical damage and this should be considered. Being delusional and acceptance of that state is not common so balancing both; supporting them and safeguarding the child is difficult. However, you can keep a supervisor or help for the relative who has delusions. As he would guard him, it would be easier to look after one task.

Is the person under the community mental health team? The GP can refer them. They should then be made aware there is a child who spends time with the person and they should bare the risks in mind, such as emotional abuse or neglect.
it sounds like they need some antipsychotic medication. If they won’t take it perhaps a home treatment team or a crisis team need to be involved before it escalates.

sorry you are dealing with this, it is very stressful