Around a week ago, my boyfriend left the city to visit his mom. We have been talking a lot through WhatsApp (a quite popular app where I live), and some days ago he was telling me how he was jealous of an online friend I have and how he was worried I would emotionally cheat on him with someone (this isn’t new). In that string of text, he said, “You know sometimes I think I’m cheating on you,” to which I only responded “what,” and he went on a full-on rant about how he was seeing this unkown man’s soul that was with him in hard moments. To me, this seems like a coping mechanism at first, but as he developed more in the conversation, this seemed like a religious psychosis since he believes in reincarnation and believes that lost souls can wander in our realm. He tells me how he feels like he can touch this man and hear his voice and feel his touch. I didn’t respond anything at first because I couldn’t comprehend what he was talking about when he says, “I just want you to know that he loves you a lot too,” which took me out. I don’t think I’m mature enough to deal with this, so what should I do? Should I walk away from him? Should I help him get mental health?
I think my boyfriend has religious psychosis
r/Advice
Comments
When he drops these conversations on you, don’t engage in an interesting way because it validates what he’s saying and encourages more of the same.
Instead, drop one-liners ‘Cool’, ‘Ok, I see’ etc, you take away the fuel driving him. And tbh anyone with half a brain will pick up its not worth bothering with.
People rely on a reaction, when you take it away the engine has no fuel.
He might be seeing actually seeing someone. In that case he might need help. Not necessarily YOUR help, but just help.
Also interesting thought, he might actually be seeing someone!!! Just saying
When he is actually in a psychosis talk to him in a way that doesn’t validate his reality as THE truth. Even though the things he is experiencing is his reality and will be as real as for example the sky is blue or 2+2=4.
Try to make him aware of the reality as is by asking questions. You could ask: what are ways YOU can help yourself in times of hardship.
When it is brought up in a convo acknowledge what he is saying “ ok, alright” and then bring the subject elsewhere.