Connect with people who understand what you are going through, seek advice and surround yourself with support. We're free, anonymous, and professionally moderated 24/7.

47,612Members
1,358,869Posts
1,400,000Visitors

I suspect a former colleague is psychotic - pls help

DendyNew Contributor11 Feb 2025, 9:36 am AEDT

I suspect a former colleague is psychotic - pls help

Hi everyone,

I'm new and haven't introduced myself yet. I have a phone call at 11am AEDT and I would love to get some help before then. Not sure if this is the right way to use the "@" but will try: @moderator

On Friday, my former boss texted me asking me if I was still in touch with one of my former clients (I developed good relationships with many of them and have stayed in loose touch with some of them since my role was made redundant in September).

My ex-boss sent me a frightening video of one former client who has posted on LinkedIn recently. He said "bit worrying. If you are still mates with him, could you maybe check in with him?"

I suffered severe psychosis in 2013 and was hospitalised for months. Since then I have researched it and when I watched the video, many signs of psychosis were there. I then scrolled his profile and saw more outrageous posts made in the past month compared to hardly posting at all prior to that.

I called and texted him on Friday and he replied after 9pm last night (Monday). We have agreed to chat at 11am. I am not a social worker or psychologist. If it turns out he's totally fine, I don't want to appear to have overstepped the mark. But I would prefer to make a fool of myself and have it turn out that he's ok, than not talk to him at all and have things unravel further for him.

Has anyone been in a similar situation before? Can anyone offer any practical advice for how to frame my conversation with him? At this stage, I'm planning to let him know that I left that company because he doesn't know yet and then to ask how he is and mention that I saw his video and that it's out of character for him. I don't want to inflame the situation. Also, what should I say to him if I am still concerned for his well-being?

Can anyone please help?

3 replies

1 - 3 of 3

In response to: I suspect a former colleague is psychotic - pls help

tymeModerator14 Feb 2025, 3:08 pm AEDT

Re: I suspect a former colleague is psychotic - pls help

My apologies @Dendy . You did not get a response earlier.

I can see you are worried about this person.

How did the conversation go?

From what I know, when people are psychotic, often, they don't really know it. I hope everything was okay.

In response to: Re: I suspect a former colleague is psychotic - pls help

DendyNew Contributor19 Feb 2025, 12:40 pm AEDT

Re: I suspect a former colleague is psychotic - pls help

Hi Tyme,

Thank you so much for your reply.

I ended up speaking with him for 5 minutes and he sounded like he usually does. Nothing he said raised alarms for me. He sounded very calm and lucid. He even suggested we meet for a coffee.

That was meant to happen on Mon 17 Feb but then he rang me on Sunday to reschedule because he had broken his finger. He mentioned that his mother and brother were coming from overseas to visit quite spontaneously this week so I felt really relieved when he said that. I also found out that he has a partner, so he is not all alone in a foreign country, away from loved ones. (This was my own experience with psychosis)

I only became aware of his strange behaviour when my former boss reached out to me, sent me a LinkedIn video that this guy had posted and suggested that maybe I check in with him. I feel reassured that he is somewhat safe now so my levels of worry have dropped and I can take a step back.

But he wants to meet me this coming Monday for a coffee so I guess that will give me more insight.

So my question is, what if his behaviour is concerning and he is saying things not in line with his usual character? I'm thinking maybe I can make it clear that I am here if he needs someone to chat with and I will offer non-judgemental support. I would only say that if I was convinced something is seriously wrong, otherwise, it will sound weird coming from me.

Would love to receive any advice.

Thanks. 🙂

In response to: Re: I suspect a former colleague is psychotic - pls help

Ru-beeModerator19 Feb 2025, 1:03 pm AEDT

Re: I suspect a former colleague is psychotic - pls help

Hi @Dendy

It's really lovely that you're reaching out to check in on this friend, and that you're willing to offer your support if it happens that they do need it.

Your plan of letting them know that you're there if they need the support is a really great way to approach this. Sometimes just letting someone know that you are there for them can be a great comfort and could open the door for them feeling more able to be open with you.

All the best with it, please feel free to keep us updated

1 - 3 of 3