# How to Talk With Someone Who Is Experiencing Psychosis When a loved one hears, sees or believes things others do not, conversations can feel confusing. These communication tips can help you stay calm, connected and safe. Canonical page: https://sos-wellness.org/how-to-talk-with-someone-experiencing-psychosis Published by SOS Wellness. Updated: 2026-11-13. Talking with someone who is experiencing psychosis can be unsettling. A person you know well may describe voices, believe they are being watched, or say things that do not make sense to you. It is natural to want to correct them, reassure them or fix the situation quickly. Often, though, what helps most in the moment is staying calm, showing that you care and keeping the conversation from escalating. You do not need to be a clinician to be a steadying presence. This article offers practical ways to talk with a loved one while they get the professional care they need. ## Remember what the person is experiencing To the person, hallucinations and delusions can feel completely real. Someone who hears a threatening voice may truly feel threatened. Someone who believes they are being followed may feel genuinely afraid. Keeping this in mind can shift your goal. Instead of trying to win an argument about what is real, you can focus on how the person feels and what would help them feel safer right now. ## Set the scene Small details can make a big difference: - **Reduce noise and distraction.** Turn off the TV, step away from a crowd, or move to a quieter room. - **Give physical space.** Sit or stand at an angle rather than face to face, and avoid crowding or touching without asking. - **Keep it to one or two people.** Several people talking at once can feel overwhelming. - **Move slowly.** Sudden movements can be alarming to someone who already feels on edge. ## Speak simply and calmly Psychosis can make it hard to process information. Clear, simple communication helps. - Use short sentences and a calm, even tone. - Ask one question at a time and allow extra time for an answer. - Avoid sarcasm, jokes or figures of speech that could be misunderstood. - Repeat yourself gently if needed, without sounding frustrated. If the person seems to be listening to something else, it is fine to ask, "Are you hearing something right now?" Many people feel relieved when someone asks directly and calmly. ## Do not argue, and do not pretend Arguing about whether a voice or belief is real usually increases distress and can damage trust. At the same time, agreeing with something you do not believe can feel dishonest and may reinforce fear. A middle path is to acknowledge feelings without confirming or debating the content. For example: - "I don't hear the voice, but I can see it's really upsetting you." - "That sounds frightening. I'm here with you." - "I'm not seeing what you're seeing, but I believe that you're scared." This approach respects the person's experience while staying honest. ## Focus on feelings and needs Instead of the details of a belief, try to connect around feelings and basic needs: - "You seem worried. What would help you feel a little safer?" - "Have you been able to sleep or eat today?" - "Would you like some water, or to sit somewhere quieter?" Simple offers of comfort can help a person feel less alone and more willing to accept help. ## Talk about getting help When the person is calmer, you can gently raise the idea of seeing a professional. It often helps to connect help to something they care about, such as sleeping better, feeling less stressed or getting the voices to quiet down, rather than insisting they are ill. Some people with psychosis do not recognize that anything is wrong. This is a common part of the condition, not stubbornness. Pushing hard may lead to withdrawal. Staying patient, keeping the relationship strong and returning to the conversation later can be more effective over time. If your loved one already has a care team, you can encourage them to contact their provider. With the person's written permission, clinicians may be able to share information with you. Even without permission, you can usually share your observations with the care team, which can be helpful. ## Look after safety Most people experiencing psychosis are not violent, and they are more likely to be frightened or harmed than to harm others. Still, it is important to pay attention to safety for everyone involved. - If the person mentions suicide or self-harm, take it seriously and ask directly. - Notice whether they are responding to voices that tell them to do something harmful. - Make sure both you and the person have a clear way out of the room. Avoid blocking doorways or cornering anyone. - Secure or remove items that could be used to cause harm, such as firearms and stockpiled medications, when possible. If you are worried about safety, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline; it supports people who are concerned about someone else. If there is immediate danger to the person or anyone else, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. When calling 911, tell the dispatcher it is a mental health crisis and describe what is happening. ## After the conversation Conversations like this can leave you shaken. Give yourself time to recover. Write down what you noticed, including when symptoms seemed better or worse, so you can share it with a clinician later. Reach out to someone who supports you. It may also help to learn more about psychosis, connect with family support groups, or talk with a therapist yourself. Supporting someone you love is easier when you are supported too. ## Care for psychosis in Ohio At SOS Wellness, our psychiatric team evaluates and treats psychosis and related conditions, including schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder, for adults, children and teens. Care can include psychiatric evaluation, therapy, medication management and case management. Family involvement can be part of care when clinically appropriate and when the patient agrees. Appointments are available at our Middletown and Norwood offices and by telehealth for people located in Ohio. If you are supporting someone through psychosis and want to understand care options, you are welcome to [contact us](https://sos-wellness.org/contact-us) or [request an appointment](https://sos-wellness.org/schedule-an-appointment). We can talk through next steps with you.