but I'll tell you my situation.

My cousin is in a similar place, being Bipolar and Schizophrenic. In the past, he has seen/heard things, and he can become very paranoid. He goes through cycles that are between 3.5 to 4 years long where his meds seem balanced, and then things spin out of control and it gets bad.

In a bad period, he hears/sees governmental or secret society stuff. He believes that he is being tracked by agents. When things are tough, he does become destructive looking for spy devices/bugs/tracking devices. He's destroyed more phones, iPads, and stuff around the house (or hotel) that I can tell you. It is to the point, that he's disappeared, and we've found him talking down the beach totally naked, cause he was sure he was bugged. It's gotten to the point that all the local police know him and his issues.

He's gotten to the place where he can be embarrassed at times about the episodes, but then I reiterate to him that it is better to have someone whom you trust and who will always look out for you...and this person you can confide in. This at least keeps him engaged. Like you, when he is in one of his states, I don't dismiss his thoughts. I try and sympathize as much as possible, while not totally playing into the situation. It's much like with someone who has Alzheimer...you gently and with love continue to bring them back to reality, because to play into their scenario is to further disconnect them from reality.

What they see/feel, although honest and earnest, is not real.

At least with my cousin, he can be fully functional when his meds are balanced, when he is eating properly, and most importantly for him, when he is sleeping. He needs a good 9-10hrs of sleep a night....or things start down a tough path. What also seemed to work for me, was that we always went to dinner at the same place at the same time...and I just kept saying over and over again that while with me, those things he's concerned of "don't count". For some reason, it stuck with him. He connected the pattern of dinner, talking through his concerns, and staying on his meds/sleep schedule with the concept of healthy behavior.

Minus more direct/professional help, I would say that the two biggest things you can provide is a safe person to speak with, and then consistent encouragement to maintain specific healthy habits (regular food, no/minimal alcohol/un-prescribed meds, good ratio of sleep/activity, and staying on his proper meds).

~Jeordam