Help a friend

[Renee]

I have a friend that has been acting very strange for the past few months.  It started with a girl he like.  He would say off the wall things like "She can control the world", and "She has all the power."  Everyone just kept brushing it off until he waited of on her door step for 2 hours and had to be physically removed.  We have tried talking to him and told him to cut out the drugs.  He just tries to rationalize what he does.  He has also said "I know what you guys are up to" as if we are after him.  I write this letter because I am very worried about him, he definatly snaps in and out of it.  The most disturbing thing happened yesterday- My boyfriend and some buddies(this friend included) went to visit a couple that are getting married, as they all sat around the friend in question ask the girl getting married for a sexual favor!! When she and her boyfriend got mad he asked again!!!!  They kicked him out of the house and he had to stay in a hotel.  My boyfriend said earlier he keep asking if anyone was afraid their negative thought were going to get in there head.  I would like some info on a diagnosis and how to handle the situation.  I want to get him some help, but how?  One last thing he was in a serious car accident a year ago and smokes pot and will do other drugs.  Thanks R

[HFHS.MD-AJ]

I can understand your concern about your friend's behavior, which may be due to the cannabis or other drugs that you state he uses, psychiatric illnesses (such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder), or medical disorders (such as closed head injury or seizure disorder resulting from the car accident). He will benefit from a thorough medical and psychiatric evaluation, to obtain a clear diagnosis. If you are concerned that he is a danger to himself and/or others, and he refuses to seek help despite your encouragement, you may go to court and petition him for involuntary evaluation and treatment, or contact your local police.

[SS]

You can't get a diagnoses on the web. He might be showing signs of psychoses. Can you call his parents or sibling and let them know? He really needs an evaluation.