Delusional disorder

Question

My brother’s been acting really weird for a while now, but the past year it’s gotten so bad that we don’t know what to do. He keeps saying people are following him, like, random people on the street. Last week he accused our neighbor of spying on him through the TV, and no matter what we say, he won’t believe us. He’s convinced that there’s some kind of hidden camera in our house and that our parents are part of some conspiracy against him. I looked it up, and it sounds like delusional disorder, but I don’t know how to even bring that up to him.

He won’t see a psychiatrist because he doesn’t think anything’s wrong with him. He’s totally fine in other ways—he still goes to work, takes care of himself, and talks normally unless you bring up his delusions. But when you do, he gets so aggressive, like he’s 100% sure he’s right. It’s really scary sometimes.

I came across some stuff about Ayurveda helping with mental health, but I don’t know if delusional disorder can actually be treated with herbs or therapies? Are there calming herbs that could help with his paranoia and anxiety? If he refuses modern medicine, is there an Ayurvedic way to manage delusional disorder without him even realizing he’s being treated? Maybe something that can be added to food or tea?

Would appreciate any insights because we’re out of ideas here.

Dr. Harsha Joy · Answer

In Ayurveda, mental health issues like delusional thoughts or paranoia are often linked to an imbalance in the Vata dosha, which governs the mind and nervous system. To help manage symptoms like anxiety and paranoia, calming herbs like Ashwagandha, Brahmi, and Jatamansi can be useful. These herbs support mental clarity, reduce stress, and help ground the mind. Ashwagandha, for example, can be taken in powder form with warm milk or water to promote relaxation without sedating the mind. Additionally, practices like meditation, deep breathing (Pranayama), and regular oil massages (Abhyanga) with calming oils like coconut or sesame can help soothe an agitated nervous system. It's important to remember that while Ayurveda can provide support, it may not fully address the severity of a condition like delusional disorder, and professional psychiatric care might still be necessary. Gently introducing these practices into his routine through teas or meals may be a more subtle approach, but it’s also essential to approach the situation with compassion and patience.

Delusional disorder - #17285

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