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My DS24XBPD is having a bad night. He called DH at 1AM to say he felt like killing himself by shooting himself in the head. He was angry at us for not "understanding" him. We drove to his apartment and found him OK and sleeping in his bed. We talked a while. He was held up at gunpoint twice due to his involvement in illegal weed. Ever since then he has experienced paranoia. He also overdoes it with his own cannabis consumption and I think that contributes to the paranoia. He believes there is a vast network of people who are out to destroy him and make him kill himself because he poses such a threat to them etc... It is soo tiring. It is very hard to connect with him when he gets like this. He did after a while admit there is goodness and love in the world too. So H and I went back home to catch a few hours sleep. Words of wisdom?

Hi Faith.   

Unfortunately I have no words of wisdom for you.  I do have admiration for your strength and persistence in your loving support for your son and the gentle yet firm compassion you have for him.

I am not sure how to connect with someone when they are in the middle of a panic with some paranoia other than to do what you did:  listen, empathize and validate what you can.

Will you be seeing him today?

We saw him this morning when he came to our house, drank a glass of milk, and went to sleep in the basement. We left him there while we went to church and my stepdaughter's house for Easter brunch. He seemed out of it but maybe he will be better after he sleeps. I will let you know.

Hi FaithHopeLove, 

While this seems like an utterly trying and upsetting episode, I would feel encouraged that he reached out to you, and you were able to talk him down. Also, that he came over today and is safely asleep in your home. I am sure this is very painful to deal with, but it sounds like you handled it like a champ.

Thanks Elizabeth
I think my H and I did do the right thing. We love our son.