If someone is possibly a danger to themselves or others and you hold the key to helping avoid this, my opinion is to tell what you know.

Sometimes to help people who are close to us we have to do things which break the code of friendship and confidence. In the end, if it saves them from being harmed (physically or emotionally) I feel that it would be the right thing to do.

If you do not say anything and he harms himself or someone else in some way, then you could possibly face guilt issues because you did not say anything when you saw the signs in the first place.

Also, if you tell a doctor and only a doctor your suspicions and show him the emails. The doctor will probably keep that in confidence. I cant really see the doctor saying "So and so told me." If you ask the doctor to keep it on the down low, but check it out, it would probably be fine.

I hope this helps in your decisions and good luck with your friend.
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I think if it is concerning his health you need to tell someone about it no matter what... I would keep a eye on him through all of this though to make sure you breaking his trust willl not push him over the edge... But you need to do the right thing here, you are not helping him by keeping this secret as this is life altering... I can understand you dont want to hurt him but whats going to happen if you dont say something?

mike !
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If your friend is a danger to himself or society, then I think you have an ethical duty to do all that you can to help him, including helping him seek help and find a new profession. Maybe he can even write a best selling book or movie on his condition and its effect on his career which could help him earn income, raise awareness for mental conditions and tell his side of things. At any rate, his personal well being is far more important than his career. Sometimes the truth hurts but it is far less painful than the consequences of the alternative.
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I think, it is your love to your friend that should direct you in this situation. If he is properly medicated and treated, he will be an asset to the society. If you let it go his way, he is going to ruin his life. So I think, you need to see his doctor and talk about your concerns. If you are not trained in psychological field, then remember not to use the terms like paranoid schizophrenia. Let his doctor find a way to diagnose it. Mostly people want to hide their mental illness. I have read books about mental illnesses. All of the authors recommend taking treatment at the early stages. With his own knowledge, if your friend is withholding key informations about him, think of all the people going to be treated by him in the future. When the medicines are available to him, are you sure he is not going to misuse them?
So, think of how much you want this person to be healthy and alive, then think what you can do for that.
I am not saying it is an easy decision. But,as a friend, and knowing the facts and who can make a difference, why don't you try ?
Who knows, ones he get the proper diagnosis and treatment, he may be thankful to you.
If this is my close friend, I will go and tell the doctor. Even if it means to make an appointment and spend money for that appointment, I will do that. Also, will request to keep this in confidence. I am thinking that doctors can observe the mentally ill patients and make a diagnosis based on that.
There are people, who suffering from mental illnesses with degree is psychology. I can't remember the name now, but I read books written by them. So a diagnosis may not be the end of your friend's career.
Source(s):
My research and readings about depression , bipolar disorder and other mental illness
Personal encounter with depression

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In my humble opinion ( I have no degree in this subject ((not YET anyway)) ) you have to tackle this on a per case bases.
For the most part, It eventually will all come down to weather or not medication and outside influences will EVEN help or hurt your friend.
With most people its all in the mind and on many subjects. For all you know a placebo could be all they really need, and when I say placebo I am not necessarily talking about drugs. Then again (And no offense to your friend), allot of people (especially these days) are attention starved.

Going back to what I was saying...
You don't necessarily need to break your friends confidence, just don't offer any additional information to people that might be able to intervene.

Sometimes people just need to be saved from themselves, and find something or more of something worth fighting for.

Re-find themselves and Re-Find the hero in them.

....You just need to show them it never went anywhere in the first place.

Kind Regards,
@XDS

PS / PN : I'm kind of curious to know if this is a actual paranoia or is your friend suffering from more of a much more serious mood disorder (such as bi-polar) , and if or not they are currently taking anything (ANYTHING at all) to help cope with life in general.
Source(s):
Life.

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A person with psychology degree very well knows that to treat schizophrenia you need medication in additional to counseling. It will only get worse, and when it becomes full blown schizophrenia his situation will be far worse. Also, full blown schizophrenia is harder and longer to treat. Treatment and medications for psychosis and anxiety is very different. what he got will not cure him. Schizophrenia is quite treatable if you are treated at early stage.

It seems that he is lucid enough to hide his symptoms. Talk to him and make him realize what he's doing to himself. as for the stigma, he is already hospitalized, his career is already in danger. But you can assure him that Jung was also have psychosis problem.

If he really is a danger to himself and other people, you have obligation to let relevant people know. Even if you're sworn psychologist, you're required to let authorirties know if your client is a danger to himself or other people.
Source(s):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jung#Red_Book, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schizophrenia, Abnormal Psychology textbook (Exploring Abnormal Psychology, by Davison and Neale) , http://www.psychiatryonline.com/content.aspx?aID=8922,

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