MY BROTHER IS BEHAVING STRANGELY

Q My brother recently had an “accident” but I suspect it was a suicide attempt. His best friend died a year ago and since then he hasn’t been the same. He’s started saying that he’s the Messiah and that voices are telling him to do things that he’s compelled to do.

He’s now at home with my mom and she says she’ll keep him there with her until he’s better. I tried to arrange for an appointment for him with a psychiatrist, but he refuses to go and my mom doesn’t think he needs to go either.

I’m really afraid of what he might do next because he doesn’t seem to be aware of or in control of his behaviour and my mom refuses to see it or acknowledge there’s a problem. He’s always been her favourite. I don’t know how to handle this. What do I do? Antoinette, email

A This is a difficult situation as there’s no point in forcing him to see a psychiatrist against his will. Even if you somehow manage to get him to go to a consultation, it’s likely he won’t accept the diagnosis and will probably refuse to take any medication that’s prescribed.

It sounds as if your brother is having a psychotic breakdown and you’re right to be afraid that he might harm himself. There’s also the danger that he might harm someone else if the “voices” tell him to do so.

It’s unfortunate that your mom won’t acknowledge what’s going on. Try talking to her again as the situation sounds serious. You should consider approaching a magistrate’s court to request that your brother be certified and sent to a psychiatric hospital for treatment. He can then be diagnosed and treated and will be kept there only until he’s deemed to be well enough to be discharged.

Your brother might hate you for doing it but when he’s better he’ll realise that you had his best interests at heart.