Friend possibly has schizophrenia

[Lamb123]

Hi,

I've been trying to help a friend who I am pretty sure has schizophrenia. She has been showing symptoms (as far as I know) for about a year. 

She started off with a delusion that a man from a quite famous rock band was in love with her and writing songs about her, this then progressed to him stalking her, and now he's apparently a murderer. There's a whole lot more things that she's been saying, but I'll try to keep this brief.

Around a year ago now I contacted her parents as I was very concerned about her. She came back from the city to stay with them for a while and I assumed that they would try to get her some help. Unfortunately this never happened. They ended up paying for her to move back to the city and now she is worse than ever. She has been posting things about this man online and her delusion has now started to include a girl we went to school with. She has posted things online about this girl being a prostitute, etc, and I have heard through friends that this girl is considering reporting my friend to the police. 

I contacted her parents again recently, but I still don't think they are getting her any help. I think they are either in denial about how bad she is, or they are really clueless as to how to access help at all. They seemed annoyed when I contacted them, so I don't feel that I can do anything else. 

My friend knows that I talked to them and now she has ostracised me completely. She even hacked her dad's email and sent me a really nasty message pretending to be him. 

I feel really "crazy" thinking about the whole thing. It has really done my head in. Sadly, I can now see why people end up losing friends over illnesses like this. The things she has done and said are hurtful and at times it has been scary. I think I have to forget about it, but I really really wanted to help. If her parents don't get her help then what chance does she really have? 

What options do they have if she can't recognise that she is ill? I know that a lot of people with schizophrenia have a lack of insight and are unable to recognise that they have an illness. Assuming that she is one of these people, how would her parents get her help if she can't authorise it? I've heard that she would either have to be or harm to herself or another person for this to happen. 

Feeling very depressed/sad/alone and frustrated at the system 😞 

[Shellz__22]

Hey, 

I am sorry about your friend but I think you must be a wonderful friend to be so concerned. The following is what I think but im 100% about any of it. 

Unfortunately I don't think there is a lot you can do unless she poses a threat to herself or anyone else. If she is please contact the police and they will asses and most likely put her on an involuntary psychiatric hold. 

Maybe ring up some hospitals and ask them for advice or even the police. This can also make them aware so that if a situation does arise they have some relevent information regarding your friend. 

An idea if you are still close, is document some of her behavior, your request to her parents for her to receive help etc. This could help in the future if she does end up receiving treatment. 

Have you contacted the girl from your school and explained the situation? No one deserves abuse and it should not be tolerated but by explaining the situation to the other person involved it may make her feel better to realise that she has done nothing wrong. 

Unfortunately schizophrenia is a debilitating disease especially when left untreated. I am sorry for what you are going through as well as your friend. I would keep at the parents if you decided to document her behavior show them it. At some point they will have to listen.