We all need to be heard for a little while.

codemonkey

Ugh, I've had interviews like that before. No chance you did better than you thought?

dragonette

Ouch! The right job will come along

Anyone got any advice for an esa review appointment? Got mine tomorrow and I'm terrified!

tea_lover

It wasn't totally awful. I could think of a bit of an answer for most things but clearly nowhere near the depth of knowledge or experience they're looking for.

Still, nowhere near as bad as the time my mind went utterly blank and I started rambling about my divorce. I still cringe when I think about that one :rotfl:.

mrsfrankie

Hello,
Apologies for jumping in on your thread, but I am looking for some advice on how to help a very close friend of mine. She has a history of depression & auditory hallucinations, however she is showing signs of becoming delusional. I want to help in any way I can but words fail me. Could you very wise people offer any advice?
Frankie x

Birdie85

Aww, sorry it didn't go better Tea! I remember going to an interview and went armed with knowledge about the company (a posh clothes website) and it was going OK until the guy went off on a weird tangent and started asking me questions like how many petrol stations I thought there were in the country?! I think he must have Googled 'Interesting interview questions' because they were all so bizarre, I just couldn't wait to leave! It was also pretty obvious that the leggy blonde in the mini skirt who came out of the office before me had already got the job!

codemonkey

Hello mrsfrankie. I can't answer your question but possibly someone who can will be along soon. In the meantime, help yourself to some tea and biscuits and a nap in the blanket fort.

codemonkey

When I interviewed for this job, I definitely thought I hadn't got it due to a series of disasters - so spent the interview discussing security issues relating to linux partitions with the interviewer. I'm still not sure how I got the job really.

mellymoo74

Not long got back from chapel of rest
penguin

they have done their best, but MIL is really bruised. OH was very upset and I didnt really want to leave him

end penguin

Pyxis

Yes, mrsfrankie, I'm sure there will be someone who can help you; they'll probably be online later. I have some experience of depression but not of auditory hallucinations.
Could you give a bit more info about how she is becoming delusional?
:A



Edit. Ah, Mellymoo. Penguin.....yes, visiting the chapel of,rest can be a two-edged sword. You want to say goodbye one last time, but it's not the face you remember. On balance, I was always glad I went, though.....end penguin :A

Waves_and_Smiles

Aw, sorry it didn't go better tea, but it is all experience. Have a hug.

Your outfit is lovely, melly.

Good luck today, HBS!

Poor Pyxis, you only had an infection a little while ago. Have a day lying in bed after the mammogram.

Hello, Frankie! It is good it meet you! First of all I am really sorry to hear about your friend, it must be upsetting for you to see her unwell. First of all, don't panic. This doesn't necessarily mean her mental health has become worse. I have something called Depression Psychosis. What this means is when I become depressed I become delusional and hallucinate because my brain chemicals are so badly affected. If you friend has something similar it can be controlled by using antidepressant medication. I can't tell you if it is that but it's possible.

The first thing your friend needs to do is visit her GP or her psychiatrist. You can go with her for comfort and help her describe what she is feeling, particularly to a psychiatric appointment. Would she be willing to do this? It is very important that she gets treatment as soon as possible, this your first aim and is very important.

As far as how you can help her talk to her as much as you can. Tell her that her delusions aren't real but don't dismiss them, tell her WHY they aren't real. When I am delusional telling me that I am wrong feels like an attack and as if I am being called a liar, I need to hear a logical explanation of the reasons why. If someone can tell me at the same time of some things I am correct about that aren't affected by delusions that helps even more, I become very scared that I am insane and nothing I believe is true. So lots of reassurance is important.

If she wishes to talk listen as much as you can, and although it's hard try not to show that you are upset. Show concern by all means but don't show her that you are distressed, for me that makes me much worse and far more afraid. Calm reassurance, listening to me, and logical arguments why my delusions aren't true work best, along with being reminded of why I am good person! The last is important, when you are being told the way you see the world isn't true you need to hear something nice about yourself and that people don't think that you are raving lunatic!

Please let us know how your friend gets on and come back anytime if you need to talk. This must be very painful for you and you need support, too. You haven't lost your friend, it's just the pieces of the jigsaw puzzles don't fit for her right now. With the correct treatment she will be back.