What is the best way to end a conversation with someone who is delusional?

Question

I remember reading on the nami.org website, that a "delusion does not require a discussion."

I agree with that, but what is difficult for me is finding the right words to tell a delusional person that you do not want to visit with them. I work with some people who have significant psychological problems; and even though I politely say that I do not have the time to talk to them, they keep coming at me like it's a competition, or that every thought in their mind is a life or death matter. This is even though they are talking about a box of paper clips or some other inane matter.

I try to be compassionate, but there comes a point where you simply have to disengage yourself from these individuals. What do you suggest for appropriate things to say to stop their non-stop-talking and irrational behavior? Do you simply walk out of the room, or hang up on them?

Answer 1

Walking out of the room or hanging up on them would be cruel. You've got to remember that people who are psychotic believe their delusions. There is something going on in their brain that is seriously disorganizing their thought process. So treat them in a way you would treat anyone with a medical illness.

That said, you do have to draw a line and establish boundaries. If they really do not make any sense, just nod your head and say "mmhm" intermittently....if they just won't stop talking, tell them "It was nice talking to you, but I've got to go." You have established your need, and if they don't respect that, then put both your hands up, like a STOP signal, showing them that you really mean it. Then leave.  

Answer 2

Hi Miles,

Thanks for the info on the site. But first I tell you, I am quite amazed that you do visit such sites often and what it helps you or probably would it be that you were trying to end up drawing conclusions on your colleagues. Sorry again, I am surprised, you work with '''people'' who have significant psychological problems. Unless it is a mental clinic, or a counsel centre, or perhaps some de-addiction centre I cannot even imagine thinking that '''ALL OR AT LEAST MOST OF''' my colleagues are having psychological problem, unless, there is something wrong with mysellf...(if it was me, that is).

If you are working under normal office conditions, are you sure, that all or most of your colleagues have this competition or psychological problem to talk to you and win over it and talk about mundane things like a jump clip or a stapler ?? Are you sure that you heard things and watched and observed things right ? Please forgive me if I offended you, it is onlly that you were not clear with your questions and said that '''SOME PEOPLE'' have psychological probllems at your work, which anyone would assume to be a normal office, unless a health institution. Therefore if its a normal office, anyone would assume that perhaps you have misjudged.

But yes, I agree with you this that there are certain people who goes ''yap yap yap'', when you really aren't interested. The best way ''officially'' is not to walk away from it, but to be polite, but stern that you have no time, and that if they have something important to talk, ''please do'', otherwise ''you must really get going'. If they irritate you again, still be polite, but the third time you could just be stern and say not to ''chase your a.s.s''....thats the onlly way...but before all lthat please analyze.

forgive the several letter ''ls'' in my mail...my keyboard has a problem. Yahoo answerers have a hobby of pointing out bad english, which i know mine is bad but as long as the message is sent across I dont care.

Take care, and good luck..

Answer 3

Here are some suggestions. Hope they help....

1. If you have communications with a walkie talkie and ear piece, just pretend someone is calling you and answer the call as if someone had. Then say, "Oh, I got called. I better go."

2. Quickly look behind them and stare at something, then say "Did you see that?!" Then proceed to check out whatever it was behind them and leave the area.

3. Pretend to start sneezing. The noise of your sneezing will over power their voice so you'll have an opportunity to cut in and say "Oh I need a tissue to blow my nose." Then walk off.

4. Cut them off and say "Look dude, you really talk alot and I can't take it anymore!" (Probably not best approach, but could be effective.)