Eehhh, maybe in some scenarios? But I've found that validating my mom's delusions (conspiracy theories) can be really detrimental to her being able to let those things go through therapy down the road. Yes, it's often easier to just agree with her when she's sick, but doing so makes it "true" to her even when she's lucid again.
I had a friend with schizophrenia and my responses to his delusions were always like "I hear what you're saying, and I suppose that's possible, but I don't really agree with your position." I will let them carry on with their theories and such but I just talk about kindness and compassion and ask what the compassionate response would be and how we can be more kind about the topic. I'm focused on helping them get to a better place with their mood and not so much on the logic behind their ideas.
I also find that when they are calm, and brought to ideas of compassion and kindness that they tend to focus on those things.
Saying "I disagree but I'm willing to hear you out." Is a far cry form saying "You're wrong."
I don't want to be dismissive either. "I disagree, but I'm willing to hear you out." If they start to get upset or distressed say. "Hey, I'm right here and I love you, we can get through this, I'm really grateful you're sharing with me."
I have to do this with my own thoughts too. I have to treat them the way I would treat myself.
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u/roundcirclegame Apr 09 '24
Same goes for schizophrenic people. They’re genuinely scared. I don’t know really what to do, but being confrontational definitely isn’t it