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Most of the time, the person you love leads a normal life. But sometimes “episodes” happen to him … Perhaps he hears or sees something that is not there, argues illogically, screams, behaves strangely. At this moment, he really needs your help. How to support a loved one suffering from psychosis?
Psychosis is one of the most stigmatized conditions in society. It is characterized by hallucinations – when a person sees, hears or feels something that is not really there, delirium – when a person believes something that is not true, as well as confused or distorted thinking.
Psychosis occurs in psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression, and substance use-induced psychotic disorder.
People who experience this condition often feel like outcasts. Society is afraid of them, and relatives do not know how to support them. There is a lot of prejudice around psychosis. But people who periodically experience this condition can and do lead a full life. Especially when they and their loved ones have enough support.
A blogger named Bronwyn knows from experience how a person feels at such moments. She understands how hard it is for her family. One of Bronwyn’s latest posts focuses on how family and friends can support a loved one suffering from psychosis.
We remain ourselves even in the chaos of psychosis
During a psychotic episode, we may act crazy and disgusting. Everything seems confusing and intimidating. And we are ready to listen to anyone, just to stop it. Even the voices inside our heads. We can decide that you are part of it all (whatever it is) and stop trusting you. But we are still ourselves. And we don’t hate you.
The worst thing about psychosis is how it turns everything upside down. Please understand that we are only pushing you away because, in this state, we feel we should. There, behind the screen of illness, we are still those whom you love. You will have to fight for us like never before. And we are very sorry that this is the case.
Yes, psychosis changes us, but we can learn to deal with it.
You need support as much as we do
My husband found me after my suicide attempts. He went to a psychologist to deal with this trauma. It was very difficult for him. And I will feel guilty about it for the rest of my life. He tried too hard to be too strong and almost broke.
You need to share with someone what you are experiencing with us. With professionals or just with friends and family. Our disease may have caused you the most severe injury. Please don’t suffer alone. Talk to those you trust. Find support groups. Look for what will help you cope with your share of suffering.
Provide yourself with support so that you can help us.
We won’t get better overnight
Tablets are not a magic wand. They only dull the pain. You can lean on them like a crutch, but they will not fix us. The first step on the road to recovery is finding meaning in life. And this takes time. We may need therapy to unravel the mystery of our own brain. Or talking to people with similar experiences to find out what worked for them.
We may need creative expression. If we lose our job, we may need to find a new one in order to feel normal again. We have to adapt again and again until everything falls into place.
We can work up the courage to go to work today and lie under the covers the next day. This does not mean that we will never cope with the situation or that you could not help us. This means we still need time to get back to normal.
Please be patient with us and know that we are really working hard.
Don’t be afraid to question what the doctors say
During my first episode, I ended up in the hospital after an overdose. I was distrustful and uncommunicative. The doctors decided that I was faking (as I found out later from my medical history) and sent me home. They gave only sleeping pills and sedatives, promising that crisis specialists would be in touch. The husband didn’t mind – he thought they knew what they were doing.
Crisis specialists came, but it did not help. And I ended up in the hospital after the second suicide attempt.
Yes, they are professionals, they have years of training behind them. But they don’t see us every day. They don’t know what we are “normal”. Don’t be afraid to speak up if you feel like a treatment isn’t working or isn’t enough.
You don’t have to be aggressive. But don’t be afraid to ask questions if you think doctors are doing something wrong. They have so many patients that sometimes it is worth reminding yourself. Calls are missed, prescriptions are delayed, and patients are left on their own. Feel free to remind them about us.
Don’t be afraid to tell us the truth
We live in a confusing world full of pain, but that doesn’t mean we have to get away with everything. At the same time, we may not know that we are hurting other people. We don’t have to worry about regretting something later. If the voices said that my pain would stop if I had a striptease in a supermarket, I would not doubt for a minute. And I would be held accountable.
Please don’t let us do stupid things, or worse, offend you. Don’t be harsh but tell the truth
This is especially important when we are recovering. During this period, we think more clearly and more in touch with reality, but we can still be carried away by delusions and obsessive thoughts. For example, if we start spending all our money on a new invention that we believe will change the world. Or staying up all night reading about mind manipulation or other conspiracy theories, tell us the truth.
On you – our loved ones – we mainly rely on our recovery. Psychosis is a terrifying experience, not only for the person experiencing it, but also for their friends and family. It’s a hell of a test. No wonder so many people lose hope when their loved ones suffer from this debilitating disease.
But there is hope. With your support, we can get back to normal.