My friend's conspiracy theories late onset

I'm sort of new to this board, I don't even know if I'm posting in the right section - I honestly dont know much about schizophrenia.

Here is the situation. I have a friend, he's a loner, socially awkward (but a really nice guy with a good heart), he's about 50 years old - (with all due respect to him) he's kind of the '40 year old virgin' type, sci-fi fan, lives at home with his parents still, maintains a modest job, very close with his family, doesn't date or show much interest in dating.

Everything I just said would describe him pretty well, up until a few months ago. Several months ago his father pretty unexpectedly died. I can only imagine, knowing how close he is with his family that it tore him up - but he doesn't show much. Now, as I said, he's always been a science fiction fan - but lately things have gotten weird. He's become obsessed with end of the world things, crashing meteors, government conspiracies controlling the weather, all sorts of stuff like that. I never paid much mind to it, and sort of laughed along as he told me this stuff. But recently when talking with him, I realize its more than just something he likes reading about . He now has said the he's seen things. He's looked up in the sky and saw the government planes for example. He doesnt think anything is out to get him, but he's tacked onto several of these 'theories' and researches and talks about it to no end. I feel that the turning point is that it seems he is bringing these fictional things to life now, in his head.

I dont know much about psychology. I dont know if all of this has anything to do with the passing of his parents. Maybe its just an obsession that he's taken on to divert his attention.

Any thoughts or guidance?

Hi, JoeMomma! Does he have anyone else that he is close to? You could talk to these people and see if you could convince him to see a psych, together or how you think it's best. Maybe losing his parents was a big shock and maybe it's part of why this is happening to him now, but a doctor would have to help him and tell him if he's ill. Even if this is just a phase, I bet he could still use some counseling.

Yeah that sounds about right, I think he can benefit from some counseling - because yes this did hit him pretty hard. Does anyone know if his reaction makes sense in terms of any psych condition?

You know, I bet it could fit a number of psych conditions. What really matters is that he could use some help.