Question

1. Paranoid schizophrenia, followed by FBI who are pretending to be psychiatric staff.

a. This must be very frightening for you. Let’s talk more about it.

b. What makes you think the staff is following you?

c. The Psychiatric staff is not FBI

Answer 1

Schizophrenia is a serious mental illness manifests itself as number of symptoms. Common symptoms for paranoid schizophrenia include auditory hallucinations (hearing voices or sound effects) and paranoid delusions (believing everyone is out to cause the sufferer harm), like in this question person thinks that he is being followed by FBI.

First, a mental examination should be performed, try to identify symptoms, such as delusions, hallucinations, disorganization and negative symptoms.

If you suspect delusions are present, the nurse must express to patients that he/she accept that the patient has this belief, although they do not share the belief. It is very important not to discuss or deny belief so as not to risk compromising trust.

It is necessary to not discuss or deny belief therefore not to risk compromising trust. A fair doubt should thus be used as a therapeutic technique. for instance, “I perceive that you just believe this to be true, however I don't assume the similar.”

Nurses should show acceptance to assist the patient share the content of the hallucination. This sharing is vital to avoid unwanted reactions towards the self or others, if command hallucinations are present.

So, the option (a) is correct (This must be very frightening for you. Let’s talk more about it.)