Understanding Psychosis

The best way to understand, respond to, and support people experiencing mental illness is to listen to and learn from people with lived experience.

I’m on a mission to put mental well-being on the table, and that starts with opening up conversations.

Today we are sharing the story of my cousin Harry, an absolute legend, my hero and one of the main reasons why I do what I do! I asked him a few questions about his lived experience of psychosis - so let’s get chatting and break down the stigma.

What was your experience of psychosis like? What were your symptoms?

My experience was a very unique one. I had something known as acute onset psychosis which meant that for me it came on very swiftly where one day I was feeling completely like myself and the next day I had little grasp of reality. Also, unlike most complex mental illnesses my psychosis was not brought about by anything in particular i.e. there were no exacerbating factors such as hereditary predisposition, trauma, life-changing events, high stress, little sleep, substance abuse etc. This was a blessing in disguise for me really because it meant that I presented very poorly so quickly and so needed to reach out for professional help more or less straight away. I then began my long road to recovery which included several instances of relapse but I have now been living free from psychosis for almost 10 years.

My symptoms were dissociative ones - but largely I could categorise them into sensory, physical and mental symptoms. I lost the ability to smell or taste, my hearing and sense of touch were dulled and sometimes my vision played tricks on me. I did not eat anything and so lost a lot of weight and I could not control how my body reacted to temperature. A lot of the time I would feel more present in my dreams than when I was awake. Mentally, I became very anxious, paranoid and scattered and I had trouble grasping reality.

What did people around you do that was helpful?

Knowing my friends were there to support me was very helpful. They would listen on the phone when I felt like I needed to vent and they would be there for me to try and take me out again when I was feeling like I wanted to do things again. In one instance I started crying in the gym and my friends stayed with me while I was crying in their arms. I also liked my friends giving me space and being ready to listen even after I had distanced myself from them.

What did people around you do that wasn’t helpful?

I didn't like people presuming how I felt or misdiagnosing me or referring to my mental illness wrong.

What are your thoughts on the stereotypes and stigmas about psychosis? (ie that people experiencing psychosis are scary/psycho/dangerous/crazy/split personality etc)

I understand where these stereotypes come from - I mean, I felt a lot of these things myself. I was scared beyond belief and I often felt crazy and sometimes that I would never get better and that I didn't know if it would happen to me again or when it would. Stereotyping is not helpful for people living with complex mental illnesses a lot of the time. Some use stereotypes as a disempowering device but a lot of people can rightfully feel offended being labelled as psycho or crazy. Oftentimes people who have a complex mental illness have a better understanding of themselves and who they are at their core and are strong-minded and mentally strong people but these names can still hurt.

Have you personally come across any negative stigma/stereotypes when you tell people you’ve experienced psychosis?

I have come across more confusion and lack of understanding/knowledge than direct negative stigma/stereotypes when it comes to my experience of psychosis. I think people have been able to come around to the idea that mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety are common in society and can affect anyone at any stage of their lives but I don't think people have that same level of awareness/education about complex mental illnesses like psychosis/schizophrenia etc.

What would you say to someone who is supporting someone through a psychotic disorder/episode?

Try to be empathetic, be a shoulder to cry on and a listening ear and you don't have to have the right answers or any answers at all! As a matter of fact, I would go so far as to say that it would be near impossible to try to connect at a level of understanding because a lot of the time that person's perception of reality is warped and it is very difficult for a sound-of-mind individual to try and understand what that person is going through. But company and support is felt and is welcomed and loved - even if it doesn't seem or feel like it.

What’s one thing you would want people in the community to know about psychosis?

I want people to know that someone can live with psychosis and be just as successful and full of life as the next person. In fact - chances are, that person is very strong and resilient and has been able to overcome a difficulty that many people will never have to face in their lives - they have been stripped bare and been able to overcome a very difficult internal battle. These people understand the fragility of life and sanity and the importance of self-care and self-understanding more than most. Listen to their stories and be inclusive!

If Harry’s story has felt confronting or concerning for yourself or a loved one, please get in touch - I’m here to help you.

You can reach out to info@merakiwellbeing.com.au for a chat or to find support.