I’m afraid of what people will say about my psychosis

It’s normal to feel afraid of what others might say about your psychosis. The thought of others rejecting or dismissing you because of psychosis is overwhelming. Right now, you’re managing strange experiences or even a new illness, while also trying to make sense of what is happening to you. While also giving yourself compassion, and allowing other people in. So, opening up about your psychosis is a brave thing to do.

Fear can make you feel like you’re facing psychosis and everything else alone. When you’re afraid of what others will say, it’s important to understand where the fear is coming from. This can help you figure out how to take next steps, take care of yourself, and stay connected to others. Connection can help you see that you are not alone. And there are people who see, hear, and understand what you’re going through.

Where does the fear of talking about psychosis come from?

I wish our community had more parts of their stories shared. We should not just feature people in crisis or someone inspirationally successful; both are important to highlight, but there needs to be more of the in-between, showing everyday people living with schizophrenia, so that we see the whole story.

I wish I had known earlier that recovery was possible from any diagnosis like this. I wish I knew that there were definitive steps that could be taken and if continued to be taken over the course of time, whether it was months or years, would get me into a position that I would have… a job, have volunteering roles, [and] take leadership positions.

The fear of talking about psychosis can come from society. For example, you may have heard people in your life say negative things about psychosis. Also, the media often shows sensationalized representations of people with mental illnesses. These stereotypes are unrealistic and unfair. And unfortunately, these are the unkind ideas about psychosis that people hold on to.

Your personal fears about psychosis can come from interactions you have had with people who are close to you. Figuring out where your fears are coming from can help you figure out how to move forward. Take a moment to think about what you’re really afraid of when it comes to talking about your psychosis.

Ask yourself:

• Am I afraid of being a burden?
• Am I afraid of being judged or rejected?
• Am I afraid that no one will believe me?
• Am I afraid that my life will never be the same?
• Am I afraid that I will always feel this way?
• Am I afraid because I’m overwhelmed and don’t know what’s happening?

When you are honest about your fears and your feelings, you can be honest about your needs. And this can help you figure out how to ask for what you need from the people around you. This can look like asking them to help you get information about treatment, give you comfort and support, or just be there when you need them.

Talking to loved ones about your psychosis can help you feel less afraid

Fear grows in silence. And when you are afraid to speak up, fear continues to grow. But when you talk about what you’re going through, that fear gets weaker and weaker. Talking to your family, friends, or loved ones can help you overcome fear. It takes one conversation with a trusted person—someone who cares for and supports you—to make a difference.

Your family, parents especially, often want what’s best for you. But when you don’t tell them what’s going on with you, you don’t give them the opportunity to help.

This is not to say that opening up about the hallucinations, feelings, or thoughts you’re having is easy. And the fear of how your family might react might stop you from sharing. But you won’t know how they will react until you tell them. Yes, families often say the wrong things, but they also can do and say the right things, too.

If your family responds in a way that feels like they’re listening, great. If your family doesn’t respond in a way that feels like they’re listening, give them another chance.

For many families their reactions come from fear, worrying about you, or a lack of understanding.  But they still may want to help. Like you, they are going through their own processes of understanding, grief, and figuring things out. And talking to them means you can try to figure things out together instead of alone.

Talking to family, friends, and loved ones can give you many things. Answers, reassurance, and connection. When things feel out of control, they can step up and be there.  But most importantly, they may give you the care, love, and support you need to face your fears and move forward.

Your experiences matter

It made all the difference in the world to find people…they don’t need the same lived experience, but you’ll get a range of the responses that you’ve been hoping for secretly in those darkest of nights.

The person that will hug you, the person that will laugh about it, because I find these things hilarious, you know, weeks later when I think about it. And they’re all so different, but they all empathize and it just lifts you up when you need it. And when you need it and you don’t know you need it.

Your experiences with psychosis are important and they matter.

Fear can make you feel like you’re alone, but you are not alone! Up to 3.5% of people will live with a psychotic disorder in their lifetime. [1] In a world of billions of people, that’s millions of people who can relate to what you’re going through.

Knowing there are other people who have similar experiences to yours is important. Seeing them talk about their experiences can help you feel confident about your experiences. This can help you see and feel that your feelings are valid. And also find tricks that help you stay grounded in reality.

There are many others who can understand what it’s like to live with psychosis. Here are some ways to find and connect with people who live with psychosis:

• Find content creators on YouTube, Instagram, or TikTok who live with psychosis and talk about their experiences.
• Listen to and read others’ stories (TED talks, Reddit, blogs).
• Join an in-person or virtual support group.
• Get involved by finding an organization like Students With Psychosis, Hearing Voices Network, Schizophrenia and Psychosis Action Alliance, or many others.
• Share your story or talk to others about your experience.

Seeing content creators have open discussions with their audiences can inspire hope. And so can attending events led by psychosis support groups or organizations.

The more you connect with others, the less afraid you become of sharing your experiences. When you know you’re not alone, you know there are others who have felt what you feel. And that there are people in this world who won’t judge, and who will listen to, understand, and respect your experiences.

Preparing to talk about your psychosis

Taking the courageous step of talking about your psychosis looks different for everyone. Most people who start to share about their psychosis ask about experiences.

For example, they may say something like

• Did you hear that knocking last night?
• Were you walking around upstairs?
• Do you believe in ghosts because I feel like something is following me?

As these experiences become more common, scary, or out of control, you want to share with a parent or someone you trust. You can let them know that these are experiences that are feeling “different” and that you need their help.  Try and pick a good time where that person can pay attention and let them know this is something that is bothering you.  If you want to take a deeper dive into how to prepare for difficult conversations, check out this tool.

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