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.
Princess_123Casual Contributor
My daughter had a nervous breakdown in January and now is expecting extreme paranoia but wholly believes her life is being controlled by outside forces. Will not get help. How do I navigate this as her mother.
In response to: Daughter is undiagnosed experiencing paranoia
hopeful_hannahModerator
Good morning @Princess_123
WELCOME to the SANE forums. Thank you for showing up and sharing with us.
I am sure there will be others in this beautiful community who will jump in to welcome you and offer support.
I'm sorry to read about the situation with your daughter.
It really is so gut-wrenching knowing how to support a loved one who is experiencing mental health struggles, especially when they do not recognise they might need help. You sound like a really loving and supportive parent.
There are some fact sheets and guides here that might be helpful: https://www.sane.org/information-and-resources/facts-and-guides
It might be worth giving your state mental health line a call and asking for some advice.
Here are some numbers:
State based Triage Lines
•
ACT: 1800 629 354 FREE — Mental Health Triage Service
•
NSW: 1800 011 511 FREE — Mental Health Line
•
NT: 1800 682 288 — Northern Territory Mental Health Line
•
QLD: 1300 MH CALL (1300 64 22 55) FREE — 24-hour specialist mental healthcare
•
SA: 13 14 65 FREE — Mental Health Triage Service
•
TAS: 1800 332 388 FREE — Mental Health Service Helpline
•
VIC: go here for mental health services in your area, or call NURSE-ON-CALL on 1300 60 60 24
•
WA: 1800 676 822 FREE — Mental Health Emergency Response Line
Have you got any support in place for yourself at all?
SANE offers individual support through the Recovery Club, you might like to take advantage of the free one-on-one sessions and have a chat with someone who will be there to hold space for you.
Here is the registration page: Welcome to SANE’s Recovery Club
I'm sending you all my best this morning.
We are glad you're here with us.
hopeful_hannah
In response to: Daughter is undiagnosed experiencing paranoia
Princess_123Casual Contributor
Thank you for your response. I have engaged the Mental Health Line and they put me on to the Acute Care Team but it is voluntary and my daughter won’t engage as she doesn’t think she has a problem. Hard to support her when she’s in denial.
In response to: Daughter is undiagnosed experiencing paranoia
RadderSenior Contributor
Hi @Princess_123 its a very difficult (and unfortunately common) situation for families, for the exact reasons you have discovered.
I assume she is an adult, and so any treatment choices are outside of your control which is so hard for a parent. You can only look after your own mental health so you are in the best possible shape to support her.
Please also keep this forum updated so we can support you too.
https://psychosisaustralia.com.au/about-psychosis/ may help inform you about this sort of condition. Knowledge is power.
If she is hearing voices, see https://www.unitingvictas.org.au/services/mental-health/hearing-voices-support/ (links to international resources if you are not in Melbourne).
Some potentially applicable carer resources:
Is she taking any psychiatric medication after her "nervous breakdown"? Sometimes that can contribute to the problem and a medication review may help.
In response to: Daughter is undiagnosed experiencing paranoia
DogMan79Senior Contributor
Hi @Princess_123
I suggest looking into Mental Health First Aid for yourself. Various places like St Johns Ambulance do 1 day courses. It'll cover some basics. Things like not arguing with her or denying her reality, which will just potentially make you a bad guy and a subject of paranoid delusions
In response to: Daughter is undiagnosed experiencing paranoia
Princess_123Casual Contributor
Thanks. I’ll take it on board.
Help us push aside the stigma and discrimination surrounding complex mental health and change the way people talk about, and care for, mental illness.
SANE acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders past and present.
SANE values diversity. We are committed to providing a safe, culturally appropriate, and inclusive service for all people, regardless of their ethnicity, faith, disability, sexuality, or gender identity.
Help us push aside the stigma and discrimination surrounding complex mental health and change the way people talk about, and care for, mental illness.
SANE acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders past and present.
SANE values diversity. We are committed to providing a safe, culturally appropriate, and inclusive service for all people, regardless of their ethnicity, faith, disability, sexuality, or gender identity.
You’ll soon be able to use one secure login to access all SANE services.
For added security, members are now required to log in with their email address and password - member names are no longer supported for logging in.
If you had a Forums account before 19 May 2026 and haven’t set up your new login yet, you'll be prompted to set up your new secure login when you sign-in.
Fields marked * are required
