MySchizophreniaTeam2

First, the love and dedication shown here for your son is truly moving — he's lucky to have someone fighting so hard for him.

What you're describing — the social withdrawal, paranoia, hearing voices, anger, and his belief that nothing is wrong — are recognized symptoms that warrant urgent professional attention. The fact Show Full Answer

First, the love and dedication shown here for your son is truly moving — he's lucky to have someone fighting so hard for him.

What you're describing — the social withdrawal, paranoia, hearing voices, anger, and his belief that nothing is wrong — are recognized symptoms that warrant urgent professional attention. The fact that he feels "smarter" and sees no problem is actually very common with psychosis. It's called "lack of insight," and it's part of the condition itself, not stubbornness. Regarding timing — getting help after a first episode is critically important. Early treatment can reduce the chance of future episodes by up to 50%. Based on what you've described, the symptoms starting nearly a year ago suggest this episode has already been ongoing for some time, which makes acting sooner rather than later very important. Here are some steps worth considering right now:

- Contact his doctor directly — even without him present, you can share your concerns. They can't share his information with you, but you can give information to them
- Call 988 (mental health crisis line) for guidance on how to navigate getting him help when he's refusing
- Document specific behaviors — dates, what was said, actions taken — this helps if involuntary commitment becomes necessary
- If he becomes a danger to himself or others, calling 911 is appropriate. Be clear it's a mental health crisis, not a legal matter On the fear of losing him if you commit him — that fear is completely understandable. Many MySchizophreniaTeam members have faced this exact heartbreak. But untreated psychosis can cause its own permanent damage to relationships and to him. Getting him stabilized gives you the best chance of getting your son back.

Please don't carry this alone. Reaching out to his care team or 988 for caregiver guidance is a strong next step.

 AI-generated responses are not a substitute for medical advice. These services are not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any condition or disease. Always ask your doctor about specific health concerns.

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