Greensboro, NC -- Montgomery County's Sheriff says a man who shot four coworkers, killing three and himself, suffered from paranoia.
Sheriff Dempsey Owens spoke Tuesday about what he learned from Ronald Davis's six-page "rambling" letter.
Sheriff Owens said Davis thought his coworkers were mocking him, and even went to the hospital because he thought someone tried to poison his food. The sheriff says there's no evidence of either.
We spoke Tuesday with Dr. Andy Farah from High Point Regional Health System to learn more about paranoia.
"Paranoia is a psychotic symptom," said Dr. Farah. "It has to do with how their brain is working. They may be obsessive and thinking people are out to get them, they stew on this and it builds and builds until something tragic can happen."
Dr. Farah did say that paranoia is very treatable and there are many medications available. Treating them may be difficult because they may see you as an "enemy."
"You've gotta be a friend, you've gotta build trust. If they don't trust you, you're on the 'other side.' You've gotta let them know 'I'm here to help you.' Talk in terms of stress. Thats your hook," said Farah.
Medications for psychosis are mostly covered by medicare, medicaid, and most insurance plans. The Guilford Center in Guilford County allows you to make a free appointment with a mental health professional.
Here is a list of resources for treating mental health:
--Guilford Center
--High Point Regional Health System
--Wake Forest Baptist Health
--Forsyth Medical Center
--LeBauer Health Care
WFMY News 2