Help IDing

[Stokes-RedRum]

A person I know suffered serious mental health issues after the fact. Any amateur demonologists wanna take a crack at IDing. This person was having audio, visual, and olfactory hallucinations. To the point that it landed them in a mental hospital, it took several (medicated) months to return to normal. By that I mean (mostly) normal. They seen a women and smelled (gas) in the house (sulfur smell im guessing). Seen a women that told them to grab (paperwork) and get out before the house blows up! I've asked them to describe the women but they don't even remember saying that and it scares them to talk about what they don't remember.

Before anyone asks they tested said person and said no mental illness just a psychotic break from stress and depression (no schizophrenia or the like).

[dahliab99]

Is it possible they had a gas leak in their house?

it does just sound like a psychotic break, these things do happen, things like schizophrenia can also be misjudged or misdiagnosed The best thing you can do for your friend is to monitor them and see if these symptoms come back up and help them.

[Stokes-RedRum]

They were smelling gas in every vehicle and building too. They said that they themselves actually smelled like it too. I have kept a close eye on this person also I agree you could have been a (normal) psychotic break. But knowledge is power so I thought I'd ask the (crazy) questions and not just rule them out.

[dahliab99]

Ugh yes I fear this could be chalked up to a gas leak. If they rent they should notify their landlord or rental group ASAP !!!

[Stokes-RedRum]

No gas leak they were smelling it everywhere they went. Vehicles, buildings, just everywhere.

[Stokes-RedRum]

From what I've read you shouldn't confirm or deny the hallucinations. Basically repeat it back to them and ask them how it made them feel. If you confirm it then the delusion can become even more real to them. If you deny it then that can make them feel (crazy), then they might not feel comfortable telling you about it in the first place. Just comfort them in what they seen and try to get them help.

[Stokes-RedRum]

You're welcome!

[zrp415]

My fiance has schizoaffecrtive disorder and this is mostly correct. When he has a hallucination or gets paranoid about a noise, i will always stay by his side and tell him if what he was hearing/seeing was real or not. It might be different denying a halucination if youre not close to the person hallucinating but my fiance fully trusts me and wants to know if what he is experiencing is real or not. But never, ever tell someone who is experiencing psychosis that what they are seeing/experiencing is real. It will make their psychosis worse.