My personal story and wishes about healthcare related to psychosis

During my life I faced three episodes of psychosis, all during stressful periods. The first time was when I was 17 and preparing for school exams, the second during my study period at age 22, and the third time was when I was... [ view full abstract ]

During my life I faced three episodes of psychosis, all during stressful periods. The first time was when I was 17 and preparing for school exams, the second during my study period at age 22, and the third time was when I was 32, busy working and living together with my partner. There have been also a few moments when I could just avoid psychosis, notably after the birth of my son when I was 34. I am glad to have been very healthy and without psychiatric symptoms during the years in between and afterwards. The crises do however mark my life. The episodes ‘belong to me’. I learned to better take care of myself, respect my limits, handle expectations and fears about what a worthy life could look like, and trust in the help of caring people around me, whatever may happen. The periods on medication during recovery however felt less like ‘belonging to me’. It felt like my character got erased; my life and recovery were ‘put on hold’.

How have I, from my own life story, come to see what psychosis is, and what would be the best way for professional healthcare, society, and people themselves to deal with psychosis? Full recovery was for me every time related to gaining a new perspective on what live can look and feel like. Medication actually seemed to hinder this process. I would therefore like to stress the importance of personal support and care. Around the birth of my child we organized extra personal care ourselves and this worked out well. Speaking from my experiences and for my situation, I wish, that the healthcare system would be more geared to work in this direction.