My neighbor acts strange. Are they on drugs, or is something else going on?

Often it’s something else. Talking out loud, rocking, flapping hands, avoiding eye contact, sudden shouts, slurred words or confusion can come from autism, Tourette’s, a mental illness, dementia, a brain injury, deafness, or an emergency like low blood sugar or a seizure.From the sidewalk you can’t tell, so don’t guess. Look for danger, not difference.

1 · MindWhat you might be seeing

Most of what makes someone look “off” in public has nothing to do with drugs. A few of the things that get mistaken for being high or drunk:

Autism. Rocking, hand-flapping or repeating words (called stimming) help many autistic people stay calm. Avoiding eye contact or covering ears in noise is common too. None of it is a sign of danger.
Tourette’s. Sudden sounds, words or movements the person can’t hold back. Swearing tics are actually uncommon: in one large study, about 1 in 5 males and 1 in 7 females with Tourette’s ever had them.
Mental illness. Someone with schizophrenia may talk back to voices only they hear. Someone in a panic attack may breathe hard and look terrified. People with serious mental illness are far more likely to be hurt by others than to hurt anyone.
Dementia. Confusion, wandering, getting lost on a street they’ve lived on for years. About 6 in 10 people with dementia wander at some point.
Medical emergencies. Low blood sugar can cause sweating, shaking, trouble walking and confusion that can look like being drunk. Some seizures look like someone staring blankly and not answering. Police have mistaken low blood sugar for intoxication, and people have been seriously hurt because of it.
Brain injury, stroke, deafness. A stroke can slur speech. A deaf neighbor may not answer when you call out.

Sometimes it is drugs or alcohol. Even then, the person in front of you is still a neighbor, and the next step is the same.

What each tradition or community says

A neighbor who lives with it

Many autistic adults and people with Tourette’s or a mental illness say the condition is often easier to live with than the staring, whispering and calls to the police. A nod and a normal hello go a long way.

A family member

Families caring for someone with dementia or autism often worry most about what happens when their loved one is out alone and a stranger misreads them. A neighbor who knows their name and can walk them home is a real safety net.

First responders

Many departments now train officers in crisis intervention (CIT) to tell a medical or mental health crisis apart from intoxication. When you call, describe what you see, not what you think it is.

2 · HeartWhat it feels like

Being stared at, whispered about or reported to the police for how your body or brain works is exhausting. Many people with autism, Tourette’s or a mental illness spend a lot of energy trying to look “normal” in public, and still get treated like a threat.

For the person watching, it can feel scary not to know what’s going on. That’s normal too. Fear is a signal to slow down and look closer, not a verdict.

Strange isn’t the same as dangerous. Most of the time, the kindest thing you can do is treat them like any other neighbor.Neighbor Radio

3 · HandsHow to be a good neighbor

If nobody is in danger: give them space and don’t stare. Don’t film. If it fits, a normal “Hi, are you doing OK?” is fine. Speak calmly and simply, and don’t touch them without asking.

If they seem lost or confused: ask their name and where they live. Stay with them. Some people with dementia, autism or diabetes carry an ID card or medical bracelet.

If it might be medical (sweating, slurring, shaking, passing out, not responding): call 911 and say what you see. If they have diabetes and are awake and able to swallow, the CDC says regular (not diet) juice or soda can help with low blood sugar.

If they seem to be in a mental health crisis but no one is in immediate danger: call or text 988. You can call for someone else, too. If you do call 911, you can ask whether a crisis-trained (CIT) officer is available.

Get to know them on an ordinary day. The neighbor who knows someone’s name is the one who can tell what’s normal for them, and who can speak up when someone else misreads it.

This weekThink of a time you were sick, scared or confused in public. What did you hope a stranger would do?

Four questions to take with you

From the story of the Good Samaritan, the stranger who stopped to help. We call it the Good Neighbor Test.

Did they see? Or look right past?
Did they stop? Even when it was inconvenient?
Did it cost them? Time, money, comfort, reputation?
Did they treat the person like a person? Not like a label?

Try it on: the last person you saw acting “weird” in public. What else could have been going on?

Quick questions

Can you tell autism from being high just by looking?

Not reliably, and you don’t need to. Look for danger, not difference. If no one is in danger, a calm hello is enough.

Is it OK to ask what’s wrong?

Ask if they’re OK or need help, not what their diagnosis is. Most people will tell you what they need.

When should I call 911 instead of 988?

Call 911 if someone is hurt, not responding, having a seizure, or about to hurt themselves or someone else right now. Call or text 988 for a mental health crisis when no one is in immediate danger.

Where can I learn more about autism?

MOEx (ilovemoe.com) has free guides for families of neurodivergent kids and for autistic adults.

Sources and research

How this answer was made

Fact-checked October 13, 2026 against American Diabetes Association, Alzheimer's Association and CDC. Written in plain words by the Neighbor Radio team. Every fact is checked against what each community says about itself, in its own official sources, plus a neutral reference. Part of this community and something doesn't sound like you, or spot a mistake? Tell us. We read every note and fix mistakes.