My mother is disabled and has, over the course of several months, become increasingly religious in a way that borders on psychosis. She regularly stays up all night to watch prayer videos on YouTube.
Today she said a few things that deeply concerned me:
– Someone is following her and has been for a year
– Someone is putting something in her drinking water
– She claimed I hacked into her phone (i have no idea how to do that)
– She claimed I am removing things from her room to give to my dad so he can perform witchcraft on her (my dad and I are not on speaking terms)
– She believe there’s a conspiracy involving my dad to put her in a psychiatric hospital.
All of this is deeply disturbing, and I cancelled my trip out of town because I was afraid to leave my dogs alone with her.
In addition to these delusions, she claims the “Spirit” tells her things.
I have no family support and my sister told me she “doesn’t have capacity” to deal with this. What do I do?
Comments
As a deeply religious psychiatric nurse, I think you have reason to go in
This sounds really tough. Consider contacting a crisis team or her doctor, and call emergency services if she’s a danger. I’m here if you want help finding support
You must act now because psychosis doesn’t wait and love alone won’t pull her back. Call a crisis team or emergency services because protecting her may mean hospitalizing her against her will before things spiral further.
She certainly sounds unstable. You will have a very hard time doing this, though, because you must prove to a court without doubt that your mom is a danger to herself or others.
Even if she threatens suicide the most that a court will give in the USA or other countries is a minimum involuntary hold. They can only keep her or force treatment if she is deemed to need it during that time by the doc.
If she isn’t a danger, try to keep communication open. Let her know you are there for her.
Does she do anything to endanger herself or others?
This may be a case of paranoid schizophrenia. I’ve spent my entire life around individuals who have experienced this condition. I strongly recommend learning more about it and seeking professional help for a proper evaluation. Early support can make a significant difference.
It sounds like your mom needs help ASAP. Call her doctor, explain the situation, & ask for advice. They may suggest a wellness check or have other options
Poor woman. She needs meds. Does she have a personal physician? Call or go see. them
She needs medical help. If she has a personal physician call & tell them what’s going on. Ask for an appointment for. Tell her it’s just a routine thing. If she’s currently on some sort of meds tell her she needs to go in for a check up for her meds.
These delusions can be symptoms of early dementia- something to get medically checked.
I would call 911 and they can take her to an ER where they will place her under a 5150 hold for 72 hours to evaluate her. This is how it works in the United States. No need to endanger yourself or your dogs, please do this right away.
A psych evaluation, an anti clot stroke shot, and a cerebral/cervical spinal MRI for anomalies/fluid/clots/whole or partial blockages/vascular anomalies… she could be crazy, she could be having strokes, she could have a tumor… either way it is time for medical attention.
Psychosis can develop for a multitude of reasons and none of them clear up on their own. With the right medication/treatment she can hopefully recover and return to a normal life. But she needs medical intervention. The local police can help you file a 5150 or whatever it is called in your area. Then they can take her to a psychiatric emergency facility for evaluation.
Gather her insurance information if you can and find out what her benefits are and if there is a specific network of providers she needs to use. If she doesn’t have insurance she may qualify for Medicaid assuming you are in the US.
If you need a little one on one support you are welcome to DM me and I will share my personal experience with this trauma. Best wishes to you and your mom, OP.
Call and get her in somewhere that she will be safe. These places for the holds aren’t always the best. So then the next step is to find a better, longer term (2-4 weeks on average) to get her transferred to. Her insurance can help you find something or just call psychiatrists in the area to see what place that they suggest. There may be a gap in between, so it’s important to get her to a psychiatrist when she gets out.
Be prepared for guilt trips, especially when she’s in the hospital. Most get angry, but when they feel better, understand it was done out of love.
I’m truly sorry that you are dealing with this. Been on both sides. Sucks.