What causes old people to become paranoid?

Late-onset psychotic symptoms resulting from a psychiatric cause (e.g., schizophrenia, delusional disorder, depression, or bipolar disorder) Untreated urinary tract infections. Vascular damage as a result of a stroke, head injury or reduced oxygen to the brain.

How do you talk to a psychotic person?

When supporting someone experiencing psychosis you should:

1. talk clearly and use short sentences, in a calm and non-threatening voice.
2. be empathetic with how the person feels about their beliefs and experiences.
3. validate the person’s own experience of frustration or distress, as well as the positives of their experience.

How do you talk to an elderly delusion?

10 ways to respond when someone is experiencing dementia hallucinations

1. Determine if a response is needed.
2. Stay calm and don’t argue or try to convince using logic.
3. Validate their feelings and provide reassurance.
4. Check the environment and remove possible triggers.
5. Offer simple answers and reassurances.
6. Look for patterns.

What can cause an elderly person to see things that aren’t there?

Common Causes of Hallucination in the Elderly

• Sleep deprivation.
• Dehydration.
• Epilepsy.
• Vision or hearing loss.
• Drug or alcohol abuse.
• Brain cancer.
• Liver or kidney failure.
• Dementia or Alzheimer’s Disease.

What medication helps with paranoia?

Antipsychotic Medication

• Modern atypical antipsychotic medicines for schizophrenia like risperidone are the mainstay of treatment for paranoia. (
• In general people with schizophrenia are no worse at taking their medication than people with other long term health conditions (Image: wavebreakmedia/Shutterstock)

How can I help my loved one cope with paranoia?

Providing distraction activities can also help to break the cycle of paranoia.” You can’t force anyone to get help if they don’t want it, so it’s important to reassure your loved one that it’s ok to ask for help, and that there is help out there. See our pages on how to support someone else to seek help for their mental health for more information.

Can a person with paranoia have trouble trusting a therapist?

People with more severe paranoia may not realize their symptoms are an issue. They may have trouble trusting a therapist enough to relay their thoughts and experiences. In some cases, an individual experiencing paranoia may believe the therapist is part of the threat.

How do you build trust with someone with paranoid thoughts?

Since defensiveness and suspicion are often part of paranoia, building trust will likely be be a gradual process. In therapy, individuals typically work on building life skills, including: Communication skills, to express fears in a more relatable manner. Relaxation skills, to reduce the anxiety caused by paranoid thoughts.

How do you deal with a paranoid patient who refuses treatment?

Encourage compliance with treatment – His mistrust may interfere with his willingness to take prescribed medications or attend therapy sessions. This occurs commonly in people being treated for paranoia and slows their recovery significantly. Encourage him to follow his treatment program.