Why do I get paranoid or see things that aren’t there when I use?

When I had psychosis I experienced suicidal thoughts and my friends/family were concerned I would hurt myself or someone else.

Psychosis is a condition that makes it difficult to tell what is real and what isn’t—it impacts a person’s sense of reality and symptoms can range from mild to severe.

When someone  experiences psychosis, it’s very scary. You may experience intrusive negative thoughts, you aren’t able to sleep, and you see things that aren’t really there. Some people hyperfocus and aren’t able to break away and can’t think clearly.  It’s a very isolating experience, but there are ways to cope and get help for yourself.

Think about your substance use

A lot of times substances and alcohol use can intensify or trigger/activate psychosis.  It’s important to think about your use and to make sure you are taking proper care of yourself and not doing more harm than you should to your mental health.

Here are some questions you can ask yourself:

• How do you experience these symptoms? 
• Do they only occur when you’re using? 
• Did you experience them before using?
•  Do you experience them now even when you aren’t using? 

If you experience psychosis outside of your substance use, you may have psychosis like we see with mental health conditions like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. If you only experience psychosis when you’re using, it’s explained by your use and your symptoms should stop when you stop using.

If you are experiencing psychosis, it might be time to consider stopping your substance use. Depending on how much you’ve been drinking or using, it might feel hard to make changes on your own. Talking to a friend, family member, sponsor, support group, or therapist are a few avenues you can take for support. You’re not alone.

Take care of yourself

It’s important to take care of yourself and make sure you are healthy. Stress, both good and bad, can worsen the symptoms of psychosis. It’s important to use your coping skills and get to know yourself well enough that you can pay attention to signs that something is off with your body and/or mind.

Here are some self-care strategies you can try:

• Recognize and understand your triggers. Consider what you know about yourself. What are some things that have led to psychosis? For example, stressful life events, irregular sleep, or substance use might be a trigger.
• Take care of your body’s needs. Eat nutritious meals regularly. Aim for a consistent sleep schedule. Try gentle movement to help reduce stress.
• Practice relaxation skills. Deep breathing and grounding exercises can be a great way to connect with your senses and stay in the present moment.
• Have a plan for times of crisis. Having something in place before a moment of crisis means you’ll have a plan to lean on when you need it. Talk with a loved one or therapist to come up with steps you can take and ways to communicate when you need support.

Finding Treatment

When an individual experiences psychosis, treatment is usually always necessary. It’s important to talk to a professional that is well-versed in helping those with psychosis.  Inpatient care can be beneficial for those who are completely disconnected from reality, as there are medications, 24-hour supervision, and individualized treatment plans to help you re-enter society.

Reaching out for help can be difficult. You might have feelings of fear, shame, anxiety, and more about what you’re experiencing. Talking to a psychiatrist is a necessary step if someone is experiencing psychosis. It should never be taken lightly, as it is a very serious mental health condition. Getting help can be a step to regaining some control over your well-being.

Focusing on the positive

It’s hard to focus on the positive, especially after experiencing something as traumatic as psychosis. If focusing on the positive feels challenging, take it one hour or day at a time. Celebrate each small victory as you take steps to feel better. Know that psychosis is treatable and you can live a normal, healthy, happy life with the diagnosis.