Mental Health Sister was a severe LSD user, worried she may kill herself.. Please help.

[dishearten]

My sister is on her way over here to try to convince me and my father that she is going to die soon and marry Jesus Christ..

I'm 25, my sister is 35-- She used to use LSD, Special K, Shrooms, whatever Hallucinogenic she could get her hands on.
I know she had stopped a long time ago doing these things.. But I know very little about the Hallucinogenic world..
I've read about flashbacks and what not, but my parents and I are more worried than ever.

She sits alone reading the Christian Bible all day, researching everything about "Armageddon" and what not.. Basically, she is a "born again Christian".. But to us, she has completely lost her mind.
She started this Christian thing about 10 years ago and it just progressively became worse, just absolutely frightening.

My mom called me last night, and she said in tears that my sister said that she had learned that her singing teacher is a "Preacher".. so i asked, okay... well where's his church then?? and she said "oh wow, good point". This man is feeding into her loneliness and fear that she is going to die from Armageddon..

One thing i need to stress is that she also told my mother that a blanket of my grandmothers she has now, she said she stood on it, opened it up, and received a "Omen". She told her singing teacher and his wife about this, and they concluded that my sister, him, and his wife are going to die the same day together. My mother couldn't get through this without crying.

This behavior has been progressively worse with her... Now i fear something serious is going to happen.
My sister, before the drug use was never like this.

I don't know enough about excessive LSD use and what it does to you years later...

Please... Please help, anyone that can give me some insight here.. I'm seriously convinced that these people are preying on her and going to make her drink the fn kool or some shit..
I don't know what to think anymore with her.

My family and I are very worried..

Your input would be SO helpful..

Thank you so kindly,
dishearten

 

[phuckingnutz]

Does it really matter why she's sick? Schizoid is schizoid. You might think about spending less time on why she's crazy and more time on how to help her and get her away from this fucking preacher she's talking about...FWIW.

 

[Cream Gravy?]

It's definitely not the drugs fault. I think her issues are better left to mental health professionals, with the fact that she used drugs a decade ago being left out.

I doubt the posters of Bluelight can give you any info other than LSD's disconnectedness to her situation. Her mental health issues could be genetic (do you have family history of issues?) or something manifested by her situation in life, who knows what. But again, I'll stress, it's not LSD's fault; her using drugs over a decade ago should in fact be a clear sign to you that she's batshit crazy and that it's not the drugs. Your fears about LSD effecting her are based in propaganda and the general hysteria that accompanies propaganda.

Xorkoth gave the better response, see below:

 

[Xorkoth]

It sounds like your sister has had a psychotic break. Since it has been going on for 10 years (and she would have been 25), that's a pretty common time for schizophrenia to show itself. Some people are born with the potential or inevitability of developing schizophrenia. It MIGHT not be that but it sounds fairly likely. Whatever it is, your sister needs medical help at this point I'm afraid. I've done psychedelics to extreme levels, many many hundreds of times over the past 14 years... and I'm right as rain. Psychedelics can be triggers for schizophrenia and other psychiatric disorders but in most cases people will end up developing them anyway, and if you are not a person with the potential to develop it, you won't even if you take a shit ton of psychedelics.

I'm sorry you, your sister and your family are going through this. I agree it sounds like a very serious situation. But there are things that can be done to help treat the symptoms. The first thing to do would be to get a diagnosis. It also sounds like she should get away from these people as they do not appear to be helping at all. Perhaps they are also sick.

 

[downerhead]

You need to get your sister commited and on medication NOW!!!This situation is beyond out of hand and the above posters are right,hallucinogens are not to blame.Myself and plenty of people I know have done ungodly ammounts of acid,shrooms etc....but never thought stuff like that.It's definitely a psychiatric disorder,which often don't manifest untill later in life.I once had a friend who came to the conclusion that he WAS Jesus.He even shaved his long hair so no one would recognize and crucify him.He got into the habit of writing notes to God then burning them to send them to heaven so God could read them.And please,get her away from that cult NOW.Organized religion is fucked up enough as it is without assholes like these preying on someone they percieve to be in a vulnerable condition.All the best and good luck.Let us know how it goes,because of what my close friend went through,stuff like this really worries me.PM me if you need anything,

downerhead

 

[PriestTheyCalledHim]

You need to get your sister commited and on medication NOW!!!This situation is beyond out of hand and the above posters are right,hallucinogens are not to blame.Myself and plenty of people I know have done ungodly ammounts of acid,shrooms etc....but never thought stuff like that.It's definitely a psychiatric disorder,which often don't manifest untill later in life.

Do what downerhead posted above. Have her see a mental health professional. It would not be easy to get her committed unless she is an actual danger to herself, or wants to harm others. At least take her to a hospital that has a psych ward. Good luck.

 

[paranoid android]

Your sister needs to go to the hospital and preferably one with a psych ward. She needs medical treatment for sure by the sounds of it and ASAP.

 

[dishearten]

Thank you all that posted responses,
I didn't want to freak anyone out..

So last night she came over.. Oh goodness, she has done so much research about this blanket..
Basically concluding that I'm going to "Hell" because I'm not of the Christian faith..
Much more was said..
The most important being that she feels like she, her teacher, and his wife need to go to Jerusalem to purposely get murdered.
I explained to her that if she feels this is so that she would be ultimately committing suicide and she would not go to "Heaven"..

I had a very long talk with her, she always had looked up to me even though shes 10 years older.
I've convinced her to soon tell give her landlord one months notice and come live with us when we move, which should be soon.
I know her being alone is deterring her mental state, I've always been concerned-- but this is over the top and I truly don't think she can be alone any longer. I think I convinced her right..
I don't want her to be alone, nor do I want my only sister to feel like suicide is the answer to her mental issues.
I'm at that point so often that I know she shouldn't be alone.. And this is where we have to start.

We we're estranged for a very long time due to her immense beliefs and our differences, she always thought because I could never believe in her faith that I was less than, and/or "frightening"..
Along the way, I never cared about her religion.. just about her. Our beliefs our ours, that why they're OUR beliefs, and I told her I cared not about our differences, just that I love her and cannot loose her.

I know she heard me.. She only listens to people she trusts and loves, which is not many. But I know being in that small amount of people I have a duty to care for her well being and make sure she's okay.. Always.

She has always refused medication due to our mother's addictions.. It scares the shit out of her.. I don't blame her, but I'm only hoping being with her family soon and us doing more together, that things will change.

I hope I'm doing the right thing.. There's only so much I can do..
I'm already caring for my father whose disabled with one leg (motorcycle accident at 18.)

When we get this house, I suppose it should be interesting.. What hurts is who is going to care for me?

Much love,

dishearten

 

[PriestTheyCalledHim]

Dishearten:
You shouldn't be expected to help her all yourself. It's commendable of you but while it's good you are going to be there for her, you shouldn't be expected to do it all on your own since she may need counseling/therapy, or medication.

It is good though that you're wondering about yourself and trying to establish healthy boundaries.

Based on what you wrote it sounds like she has issues with mental health, and may need some sort of medication.

Can you get her to a mental hospital/psych ward, or to talk to someone like a medical professional?

 

[Bearlove]

Screw the one month waiting time - get her in with you now, even if you pay for the flat to remain empty for a month she is better of in company than sitting alone (or with this 'preacher'). Explain to her is a moving stage, let her see how she feels slowly removing her stuff from her 'home' into the arms of her real family. Isolation and a mental health problem can really exacerbate her problems and she may see that once in company of people that care for her, killing herself isn't the best choice for her.

Use the one month 'buffer' to spend some time with her, maybe help her pack a few of her private things and talk about them - what they mean to her, why they mean that to her, show her that she has a life on earth (she can meet Jesus later). Then when you have an idea what is going on either suggest medication or, if she is not in the capacity to make this decision for herself, then explore other options.

Good luck

 

[dishearten]

Thank you both for your recent responses..

Dishearten:
You shouldn't be expected to help her all yourself. It's commendable of you but while it's good you are going to be there for her, you shouldn't be expected to do it all on your own since she may need counseling/therapy, or medication.

It is good though that you're wondering about yourself and trying to establish healthy boundaries.

Based on what you wrote it sounds like she has issues with mental health, and may need some sort of medication.

Can you get her to a mental hospital/psych ward, or to talk to someone like a medical professional?

PriestTheyCalledHim;
First of all I want to thank you so kindly for your guidance and desire to help me through this hard time.
It's so difficult to not be the only one helping my loved ones as they are typically all mentally and physically unstable-- where I still stand ill myself, I fight hard to still wake up with air in my lungs and I honestly don't think they realize just how immensely stressful it is on me.. But the need and duty to love, protect, and care for my loved ones is too important to walk away.
Through therapy I'm trying very hard to establish these boundaries, but I feel situations clearly are worsening.
I know my sister needs medication and therapeutic guidance, but it's up to her until she presents a clear threat to herself and others even though her talking has expressed it-- I cannot force her to enter a program.. She honestly doesn't feel like anythings wrong with her.
It does worry me, but I do see her changing attitudes, thought processes, and priorities the more she realizes how much I express the need to have her in my life.
I know I can't give up, no matter how much it hurts me..

Screw the one month waiting time - get her in with you now, even if you pay for the flat to remain empty for a month she is better of in company than sitting alone (or with this 'preacher'). Explain to her is a moving stage, let her see how she feels slowly removing her stuff from her 'home' into the arms of her real family. Isolation and a mental health problem can really exacerbate her problems and she may see that once in company of people that care for her, killing herself isn't the best choice for her.

Use the one month 'buffer' to spend some time with her, maybe help her pack a few of her private things and talk about them - what they mean to her, why they mean that to her, show her that she has a life on earth (she can meet Jesus later). Then when you have an idea what is going on either suggest medication or, if she is not in the capacity to make this decision for herself, then explore other options.

Good luck

Bearlove,
I've been keeping contact with her almost every other hour..
Luckily during work for her, she does not have time to obsess over these insane notions and omens..
I've been making sure she's okay much more than I'm making sure I'm okay.
My father and I are trying more than anything to pack quicker and what not.. She would absolutely be here already if our house wasn't so small.. So instead, i'm making sure she stops by as often as possible. I want her to be a part of choosing the house we purchase, it's like caring for a child. I have to indulge her and make her feel protected in order for her to listen and follow. And I do see that she is..
What really changed her way of thinking for a bit was when I said to her that her priorities were backwards and her family needed her way more than these beliefs and prophecies shes having are.. That caring for my father alone has turned me almost in a shell and needing her NOW was crucial, and that for now-- we need to just focus on one thing at a time TOGETHER, move, get settled, care for each-other, and live.. I expressed to her that I bet after this, she will feel like suicide by this trip will seem so far from what her true will is after were together everyday like we should be.. she said "you know you have a point, i may not die.. i may not need to be murdered" and that really told me she's truly scared and needs me, especially after being so alone for too long.
I'm trying so hard here.. the best ways I know how to..

dishearten

 

[Acanthus]

Mental illness cloaked with religion is very difficult to cure. The only thing I can think of helping would be to somehow get her away from those other loonies for a bit, give her rational mind time to become dominant again. Maybe go on a family holiday?
Also be careful to try and not offend her, since because she's not in her right mind, she can easily just turn her back on you in favor of Jebus.

(What could possibly be happening here is that she's gone somewhat manic, which is a mind-state which heavily lends itself to religious feelings.).

 

[cj]

Dishearten you are putting yourself and society at risk! Your sister needs proffesional mental help.

 

[pentouch]

Wow read the answers on here and its really overwhelming how ppl tend to rush to send your sis to mad house ,I personally think you can think of something else,until there are hallucinations that haunt her. She has a job,she has a singing lessons(interests),she has people she can trust,these are all good things that mentally sick people tend to throw away ..I would say the religion is one of them 50-50 things,because there are lots of really insane people that have religious looks,lens that they prefer to look trough and find either the answer for their mystical experiences or obsession for their brain, it goes very well with impressionable individuals ,this fact stays true unfortunately ,but there is other side of religion,some people in this strange(not very nice) world that we live in to seek the mental stability and course of life,that teaches us good and I think(its my personal thought) you can use it to set your sister to the road of self improvement not self destruction,maybe really try to understand what she seeks in religion,maybe try and read the bible,if she doesnt agree on something in this field, dont argue about the religion,no way its stupid,every one sees something personal for them.(attending some church meetings that you think would do good for her,would be a good idea that you can spend time for a family activity and be supportive in what she is doing for 10 years). As for that "preacher" guy or "singing teacher" he damn well is singing devils songs ,lol.. of course if that guy did tell her that he is a preacher,that they should go to Jerusalem and all that,but not your sisters conclusion...then get her the fuck away from him..thats really what she doesnt need,that guy! She needs other influence,especially if shes lonely and thinking about death. And now about your question on hallucinogenics ,yes,they did have influence on your sister,the thing I know about hallucinogenics and psychedelics,from my own experience and from other people experiences,that it opens up to thought,visions,on everything that you didnt have before,it could be really beautiful or frightening experience,that really gives new perspective,that can give you some insights ,because brain activity is way up,but its better if human mind takes these substances not very often something like once in a year. If you do it very often then effects of mystical,philosophical,supernatural thoughts/experiences overwhelm the mind and you lose the objectiveness of perception on the world around you and what you previously learned.
I have heard stories about ordinary people that didnt had any experiences with psychedelics what so ever and went insane,or at least for some time,because they lived such and ordinary life,it was shocking for them,also stories about people that do it for fun on regular and doesnt suffer from it,but they all been in that state of mind and have very interesting opinions about reality and spirituality ,thats distinctive mark for people that uses psychedelics. As psychedelics open door to some deep thoughts they as well do make you think that theres always more to it,like this blanket right? theres more to it than it is..
Im not very religious nor am I an expert in mental illnesses ,but I am a bit of a hippy and perfectionist I belive you can work things out with your sister with love ,kindness,and words..but yeah gotta be smart with things you say,because she truly belives in that Omen and Armogedon bullshit,but she looks up to you theres a hope...In mental institution if things get very very bad,there are pills that will slow her thinking processes so she can cool down,but it doesnt entirely solve the problem and her beliefs remember that.

 

[Seattle_Stranger]

Something very similar just happened to my lady's 16 year old brother. Used to be a super sweet, smart momma's boy, started smoking pot, began experimenting with LSD and mushrooms, and eventually worked his way to abusing anything and everything he could get his hands on, mostly PCP. He went from a normal kid to almost exactly what you describe your sister to be talking about, over the course of barely 8 months. He goes on and on now about death, the "system" and the government trying to kill us and how he is Jesus Christ, talks about murdering his family, etc, etc.. He is FINALLY in the hands of professionals, but for a good long while there, there was NOTHING that could be done.

To the above poster, while yes your compassion is in the right place, what you aren't realizing is these kind of people cannot be reasoned with. Trust me, we've tried, and tried, and tried, and tried, and tried EVERYTHING from smothering him with love to trying tough love, police have been involved, family interventions, I couldn't possibly list everything that has been tried. He willingly lives in a tent city with homeless people and associates with awful people who are clearly filling his head. At a certain point you need to bring in the big guns because he not only is likely to hurt himself or someone else, but he consistently talks about hurting himself and others....what do you do at that point?? Someone needs to force them after so much blood, sweat, tears of trying to get them to help themselves, especially in our case because this particular person is a child and a minor and specifically goes on and on about death and has even directly threatened his mother's life. Trust me, no one wants to commit their own siblings and family members to the loony bin, it's only after some serious shit has gone down and every single avenue of help has been attempted and exhausted.

Again, your heart is in the right place, but love can only go so far in these situations.

 

[THECATINTHEHAT]

Without wanting to sound like an arse why has you brain bypassed the crazy born again christian stuff and gone straight to the hallucinogens? I really mean no offence but ask yourself why you think hallucinogen use a decade ago is more likely to be related to current issues than a decade's worth of indoctrination that followed?

It's a difficult one because I look at anyone who has any solid religious beliefs (as in, the supernatural beyond human understanding) as being a little cracked up in the head, so it's hard to criticise someone with more extreme beliefs than another. They're all as nuts as each other to me, but I'm sensible enough to recognise that that doesn't mean I'm right.

When it comes down to it, we're all entitled to believe in what we like and standing in the way of that is a difficult moral issue. At the same time I certainly wouldn't stand by and let a member of my family be brainwashed. I think your plan to bring her closer to you and out of isolation is exactly what you should be doing, like Bearlove said fuck the month and get her as close to you ASAP.

It certainly sounds to me like she is not entirely stable, and I would be pushing for some sort of assesment or medical care. Unfortunately when religion comes in to the picture people can believe all sorts of crazy unreasonable stuff and because it's in the name of religion no one will do anything about it. For the moment I would focus on bringing her closer to you and building a relationship of trust so that any attempts to challenge her more extreme beliefs that scare you don't alienate her further. My head would tell me to go round said preacher's house and let him no in no uncertain terms that there will be serious repercussions if anything happens to my family, this is exactly the sort of thing that could be counter-productive and ddistance her though (as well as being illegal). I'll let you decide whether such an action is wise.

Good luck, this is a difficult problem. I wouldn't be concerning myself with her past drug use though, that is something to be considered by health care professionals at some juncture further down the line. Just focus on keeping her safe for the moment.