Carol's Library

New Items - Oct 1, 2025

I did get your message about today. I will see you next week unless you would like to meet sooner.

3-Column Tracker

1. What you are currently doing.

2. What still needs to be done.

3. What ideas do you have on how to get these done?

From ChatGPT

Q: Is there any other remedy for someone who is delusional, other than an anti-pyschotic dopamine antagonist? My client refuses traditional medical treatment but is willing to see a homeopath.

Yes, there are other potential approaches to support someone who is experiencing delusions—especially if they are unwilling to take antipsychotic (dopamine antagonist) medications. While antipsychotics are the most widely studied and effective treatment for psychotic symptoms, some individuals prefer non-pharmaceutical or complementary options. Here’s a detailed overview:

🔹 Non-Antipsychotic and Complementary Approaches for Delusions

1. Psychoeducation and Therapeutic Alliance

Building trust is foundational. Individuals experiencing delusions often feel misunderstood or threatened, so nonjudgmental listening is key.
Psychoeducation—gently explaining symptoms and possible causes without challenging the person’s beliefs—can be effective over time when trust is established.

2. Motivational Interviewing (MI)

As you likely already use, MI is very well-suited to situations where a person resists treatment.
Instead of confronting the delusion, the focus is on understanding the person’s values and goals, then guiding them toward steps that support their own wellness.

3. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Psychosis (CBTp)

CBTp helps reduce distress and functional impairment caused by delusions, even when the beliefs persist.
- Encourages curiosity (“What else could explain this?”),
- Reduces emotional reactivity,
- And builds coping strategies.
  
  It doesn’t try to convince someone they are wrong, but instead:
Can be helpful when medications are refused or only partially effective.

4. Open Dialogue Approach

A family- and network-centered approach from Finland that emphasizes dialogical communication, shared meaning-making, and inclusion of the individual’s social support network.
Shows promising outcomes even without initial medication use.

🔹 Homeopathy and Other Alternative Modalities

1. Homeopathy

Some individuals with psychotic symptoms report subjective improvements when working with a classically trained homeopath.
However:
- Scientific evidence is lacking that homeopathy can treat delusions or psychosis at a clinical level.
- It may have value as a relationship-building modality, where the person feels heard and validated, which may reduce stress and resistance.

2. Nutritional Psychiatry & Supplements

- Omega-3 fatty acids (especially EPA) may help reduce psychotic symptoms in early stages.
- Vitamin D, B12, Folate, and Zinc levels should be tested and supplemented if low.
- N-acetylcysteine (NAC) shows some promise in improving negative symptoms.
  
  Some research shows that certain nutrients may support brain function in people with psychosis:
While not cures, these interventions may help improve overall function.

3. Stress Reduction and Sleep Support

Delusional states often worsen with chronic stress, poor sleep, or isolation.
Interventions that reduce stimulation and support sleep hygiene—such as:
- Mindfulness or guided imagery (if tolerated),
- Herbal remedies (under supervision),
- Structured routines,
  
  —can provide modest symptom relief.

🔹 Spiritual or Culturally Grounded Support

In some cases, delusions are tightly tied to cultural or spiritual frameworks.
Exploring these gently, without invalidation, can provide meaning-making opportunities that reduce distress.
Indigenous healing systems, spiritual counseling, or peer-support from individuals who have recovered from psychosis may offer profound impact.

🔹 What You Might Say

“It sounds like you’re not comfortable with traditional medications, and I respect that. There are some other ways we can work together to reduce your distress and help you feel more stable—some that focus on understanding thoughts, others that explore natural or holistic support. What do you think of exploring these?”

🔹 Caution

While alternative strategies can be supportive, they are not substitutes for antipsychotics when the person is in acute psychosis or at risk—but may be helpful adjuncts or steps toward engagement.

End of ChatGPT answer.

TV Show

All Creatures Great And Small - Date: 2020

Key Phrases

When Speaking to Someone in Delusion:

"For some reason, I am not having the same experience you're having. I don't know why but I know that you are having them. I wanted to let you know that they are too hard for me to listen to."

To Find Out What Motivates Them and Why That Does (3-Steps)

1. The More (or Less) Question

“For your life to be even better than it is, what would be one thing that you would like more (or Less) of?”

Must be judgment-free and affirmed.

“That sounds great, that would be awesome."

2. The Scaling Question

“Just curious, on a scale of 0 to 10, 0 being not at all and 10 being most important, what would you say having (the more (or less) question-answer) would be?”

3. The Subtract Three Step

Whatever number they give you, say "

"I did not know that was a (the number they gave you), I thought it would be more like a (subtract three from their number). What makes it a (their number) and not a (their number minus three)?"

Pay close attention to what is said next. This will be the “why” behind the “want”.

DO NOT JUDGE OR COMMENT on their whys, just simply reflect them back and say, “That makes a lot of sense”.

Ask them to tell you more about each of the whys and how each will make them feel.

“Tell me more” is your new best friend.

Do not ask them why. Why questions are judgment questions and could quickly stop the conversation.

The How Question

“What do you think you could do to have (name the more or less they what) so you can have the (name the reasons, their whys)?” “What if any, ideas might you have?” Or “If you don’t have any right now, which is completely normal, where might you go to find some ideas? You’re smart, you have the internet.”

DO NOT TELL THEM HOW. Let them tell you how.

Always ask what they can do before ever telling them what you think they can do, and only if they ask you for advice.

The Support Question

“What resources, if any, might you need to get (name the less or more of the what), so you can have the (name their reasons, the whys).”

What, if any, support might you need from me?”

The “Given That” Question

A lot of times, Herb might give you reasons why he can’t do something. He might say something like “I can’t travel to see Nick's family because of the people beating me up at night."

Whatever he says, don’t argue with it. That is just a battle zone. Don’t go there. Just give him that.

“Ok, given that, you still want to have a closer relationship with Nick and his family, right?"

"So, given that is happening to you at night, what can you do to overcome that so that you can have the relationship you want with Nick and his family?” "What can you do to overcome this so that you could travel and be with them?"

"I would hate to see you not get the kind of relationship you want because of what is happening to you at night."

Magic Wand Question

Whenever he might be stuck on thinking of something, or he is saying "nothing can be done", try the magic wand. It goes something like this:

"I hear your saying that nothing could be done. I was wondering, if you had, and just play with me for a minute, a magic wand, what would you use it for in order to make things better for your life?"