text: Hey SonoranAngel you just answered one of my questions so I thought I'd help you out here. I too suffer from schizophrenia ( as you know) and it has always helped me when others seriously listen and consider what I have to say. I know they probably taught you this but their is usually a logical reason for the individuals fears, worries, "bizzare"thoughts, etc. However that can take quite a bit of time so what you could do in the meantime is try and get the individual psychiatric treatment (meds) as well as listen. Even if it makes no sense to you. As long as the individual isn't hurting anyone (including himself) go along with what he's saying and try to help him come to some logical conclusion, (reality testing). This has always helped to ground me even when I'm in my more manic stages. Please don't tell the individual that his thoughts and feelings aren't valid based on YOUR perceptions of what "normal" is. This has always managed to become more of a hinderance to my well being than anything else. Plus it's really annoying. Make sure the individual \ngets their meds, this can greatly increase their reasoning ability, I know this from personal experience. BTW my grandmother used to think she was Mary, Jesus's mother. And I'd be the first to say that she has lead a fairly successful life as well as dealt with her mental disorder ina very positive manner. NEVER view an individual as hopeless. There is Hope for all of us.