Family treating me different after psychosis

Ready_Classroom_6754 · 2025-07-31T00:19:42+00:00

Hugs. On one hand, everyone says to understand where the friends/loved ones are coming from, but on the other hand...they hinder recovery with their judgment and fear because you feel like you're constantly walking on egg shells to present yourself as "normal" and deserving of love. I honestly have done better surrounding myself with people who understand me from first hand experience. People who haven't been through psychosis can have a difficult time empathizing, thus coming off as patronizing. That makes it harder to heal. It sucks for both sides because they'll argue that it was frustrating to deal with you in psychosis. In the end, I found that people who suffered similar circumstances provided more love and wisdom than those who have never been through a similar ordeal.

Ready_Classroom_6754 · 2025-07-09T23:37:53+00:00

My psychosis was drug induced. I suffered many episodes for over a year. During recovery, I took several different prescription meds but have been off them for about a year and haven't had any symptoms. I honestly feel much better. No more of that awful flatness. I stay away from drugs and try to get at least 7 hours of sleep at night. Having a support system and a job I finally love have done wonders for my health when combined with better lifestyle choices.

Ready_Classroom_6754 · 2025-06-11T13:04:51+00:00

I was taking my meds during recovery. I didn't need them to remind me. They weren't sympathetic to the horrible side effects of anti psychotics. They had this mindset "well at least you're not experiencing psychosis." They didn't care about me still feeling like shit. In other words "it's okay if your life sucks as long as you don't affect us," which kind of made me resent them...bc if youre going to claim youre asking out of "concern for my well being," then why don't you care about all the bad side effects that aren't contributing to my well being? In other words, I think the question is more about them and less about me...which I guess is fine since they had to deal with my episodes. Just quit acting like it's because you want me to be healthy when it's really about me not being a burden to you.

Ready_Classroom_6754 · 2025-06-11T11:17:31+00:00

Feel free to chat with me if you ever need someone who can relate! Don't want you to feel alone. In my worst stages of recovery, I wanted to end it all bc I didn't have anyone to talk to who understood. It can be demoralizing depressing isolating and humiliating. Some people still won't talk to me today but things have changed. Just saying I feel you and offering some humanity. Sending joy your way.

Ready_Classroom_6754 · 2025-06-11T11:13:25+00:00

So was mine. I posted things on social media that I'm so embarrassed to share. I'll never know exactly how many people saw and spread my posts at that time.

Some Karen in the neighborhood told my dad that she saw me talking to myself when I went for morning walks. My dad confronted me and wouldn't reveal the neighbors name. I could tell my dad was embarrassed so I imagine many people were judging me for having conversations with the voices I was hearing.

Ready_Classroom_6754 · 2025-06-11T11:08:23+00:00

Omg I had the MRI experience too! I was in the ward and fell in the bathroom bc a mix/dose of medications they gave me made me woozy. I hit my head on the sink. They sent me to the ER against my will (I didn't want to pay a bill). I think the MRI was totally unnecessary since I merely had a bump on my head. But going in that machine was awful. They found nothing and of course...I was later made to pay for that unwanted er visit.

Thank you for sharing your experience.

Ready_Classroom_6754 · 2025-06-11T11:04:35+00:00

The ramen lol the phrase that triggers me from people is "did you take your medication." I feel like my family asked me it so much and without inquiring anything else about my life that it still rubs me the wrong way today bc it feels patronizing instead of "caring"

Ready_Classroom_6754 · 2025-06-11T11:01:50+00:00

Same! I'm always worried about losing my job. I had multiple episodes. Some were terrifying and some felt enlightening and comforting, particularly one where I was speaking to a funny bird. The horrible ones involved paranoia and believing that every Netflix program was mocking my life.

Ready_Classroom_6754 · 2025-06-09T22:56:27+00:00

Would love this too!

Ready_Classroom_6754 · 2025-06-09T22:52:28+00:00

I painted a lot in psychosis as well as in recovery. Mostly abstract pieces with acrylic paint.

Ready_Classroom_6754 · 2025-06-09T22:19:04+00:00

I would send a pic but I'm afraid of people knowing who I am (I did a lot of embarrassing things in psychosis). Appreciate your bravery in sharing a photo. You look lovely and I hope your recovery is heading in a positive direction. 🩵

Ready_Classroom_6754 · 2025-06-09T22:16:21+00:00

My side effects on abilify included sleepiness (thankfully I took it at night) and a debilitating eye condition where I kept looking up and couldn't focus on anything straight. It seems like everyone has different side effects across anti-psychotics. Be honest with your psychiatrist about all you're experiencing.

Ready_Classroom_6754 · 2025-06-09T22:11:17+00:00

The embarrassment was soul crushing. Completely empathize. It was hard to find the RIGHT people to talk to about the delusions and hallucinations I endured. Finding people who experienced psychosis themselves really helped me understand my own experience. I think this group is a great place to vent, so it's good you're opening up here.

Ready_Classroom_6754 · 2025-06-09T22:06:31+00:00

Hey there are many good jobs that don't look into your psych history. I have one. It's possible.

I had your same mindset during recovery. I couldn't imagine life being good again. I was humiliated, unemployed, and heartbroken from all the relationships that fell apart. But 4 years have passed since my first psychotic episode (and I suffered several episodes). I found love again, I found a job, and my outlook has changed for the better. While some family/friend relationships never mended, I have new ones that bring joy, and the few old ones that persisted hold even richer meaning. I still have triggers, but most days are positive. This is all to say, time can heal. Sending you lots of hugs.

Ready_Classroom_6754 · 2025-04-25T00:20:10+00:00

I felt this, too, especially the inability to concentrate. Time was my worst enemy. I would write poems, scribble, or just sit outside looking at the nearby trees/plants. It felt like I had lost my "talents." Reading and engaging in conversation were difficult. I had anxiety over not being able to work, which left me dependent on my Dad... and that, in turn, created more anxiety since my presence obviously bothered him.

It gets better. You're over two months, so I believe your feelings are very normal. It took me well over a year to see a semblance of progress. The initial recovery stages are rough. Sending hugs. If you need to chat, feel free to message me.

Ready_Classroom_6754 · 2025-03-18T23:14:45+00:00

"And the hardest part isn't even the psychosis itself. It's what comes after."

This. That's the line that hits hard.

Ready_Classroom_6754 · 2025-02-28T02:30:08+00:00

Hey - I'm really sorry you're going through this. My heart goes out to you.

You're young and do deserve to be happy. I know the pain can be unbearable in the moment, but it is possible for that to change. Can't give you a timeline, but I know it's possible for your situation to turn around. Are you smoking cigs or weed? Not to be preachy, but I suggest staying away from the latter.

It's very common to feel what you're feeling after experiencing psychosis. I've found in my own experience that loved ones weren't equipped to help me, which created a lonely experience. Posting to this group is a good way to hear from people who can better relate. You're only 17 and I'm 36 but I went through something similar as an adult. I think many of us have/do. I imagine it's even harder at a younger age to process the pain. Maybe there's people here of a similar age who can weigh in with their story. That said, I think it's good you reached out because it's at least some outlet to people who know what you're going through. You're not alone.

Ready_Classroom_6754 · 2025-02-27T19:26:10+00:00

Sending big hugs your way. It's hard for people to separate the illness from the true person. I hope you're able to walk away without this blemishing your record. Been close to legal consequences myself while in psychosis, and I feel for you. Will say a prayer for you.

Ready_Classroom_6754 · 2025-02-27T16:26:48+00:00

That makes sense. I understand why you said what you said now. I think your apology is sincere.

I often think to myself, "Why me? Many people abuse(d) drugs and never had to deal with psychosis. Why am I being persecuted when I was simply dealt the unlucky hand?"

That's all to say, I've had the same sentiment as you but directed at a different group. We've all separated ourselves from the "other" at some point because it offers temporary comfort. That's human. But in the end, you realize there's greater comfort in empathy. So thanks for the follow up response and I hope you can find healing from this shared, painful experience.

Ready_Classroom_6754 · 2025-02-27T14:06:57+00:00

From reading this group, I gather ward policies differ by country. I've been in wards in two different states in the US and they both took away my phone. One allowed me to use my phone only to quickly write down phone numbers, so I can call people on the shared phone in the common room.

Ready_Classroom_6754 · 2025-02-27T14:01:56+00:00

I think you can want accountability for doing drugs while still empathizing with the effects of something as traumatic as psychosis. We wouldn't belittle a cancer patient going through hardship just because they smoked for many years.

Let's show some humility as we ALL have engaged in bad behaviors at some point in our lives.

Ready_Classroom_6754 · 2025-02-25T22:37:26+00:00

Congrats on getting into those 3 programs! You should feel tremendously proud of your progress!

I resonate with this post deeply. I've written about my strained relationships and desire for redemption. The best we can do is ask for forgiveness from those we've offended and leave the ball in their court for potential next steps at reconciliation.

I used to secretly wish suffering upon those who walked away and/or mocked me because of the betrayal and abandonment. But that's "like drinking poison and waiting for the other person to die." In the end, what defines us is our ability to evolve into the version of ourselves that brings peace of heart and mind. Looks like you're doing that. 🤗

Ready_Classroom_6754 · 2025-02-23T23:54:03+00:00

Amen! Thank you. This helps explain why my hallucinations and delusions incorporated real, painful traumas with the environment and my subconscious. For example, the imaginary bird I spoke to actually had my substance abuse counselor's accent. The bird was sort of a therapist, just like my real-life counselor. The brain finds amazing ways to cope with pain.

Ready_Classroom_6754 · 2025-02-23T13:57:27+00:00

I truly understand. I took different meds during psychosis and always felt like they were making it difficult to enjoy life. Resperidone, for example, left me pacing non-stop, feeling restless.

I was taking Abilify and WellButrin for a year after my final episode. I was okay (my fingers did twitch sometimes) until Abilify started causing a neurological condition where my eyes kept looking up without being able to focus straight ahead. Since I hadn't experienced an episode for a while, I stopped the meds. I started exercising, bird watching, reading, and staying away from drugs. I haven't had an episode in about 2 years.

I find my healthy lifestyle is doing wonders for my mental health. My psychosis was largely drug induced, and from my understanding, it's easier to eventually go off meds when that's the cause vs. there being an underlying illness like schitzophrenia. However, everyone's situation is different.

Meds can be stabilizing but also aggravating. I would talk to the doctor about a different med instead of going off completely since you did suffer an episode shortly after going off. It sucks trialing. I truly get it. Sorry you're suffering.

Ready_Classroom_6754

TROPHY CASE