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Going public with my story of psychosis - addressing the stigma

Kate84Contributor16 Sept 2017, 4:44 pm AEST

Going public with my story of psychosis - addressing the stigma

Hi all,

I experienced two psychotic episodes in my twenties (almost ten years ago), and have kept the experience fairly well hidden from most people in my life, apart from very close family and friends. I've decided that I now want to share the experience, with my name attached, and have written an article that I'm hoping to publish on a website for a wide audience. I'd like to do my bit to say that it's okay to experience psychosis and we need to challenge stereotypes of what a 'mad' or 'crazy' person looks like.

Has anyone had any success or challenges in doing this? Have you suffered repurcussions that you weren't expecting? And if you have any advice on media/online channels that would be worth pursuing, please let me know. The article is currently 7000 words long (yes- yikes!) - but I think trying to abbreviate it too much would weaken the message.

Thank you!!!

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In response to: Going public with my story of psychosis - addressing the stigma

BatGuanoSenior Contributor23 Sept 2017, 8:32 pm AEST

Re: Going public with my story of psychosis - addressing the stigma

Thanks, Bee, for telling your experiences.

It sounds like some rough seas you've come through.

From my view, I see people going through hell. Mostly I just guess about them but it explains a lot.

It took until I was past 40 for a therapist to suggest that I had depression. I'm up to, umm, 2 or 3 diagnoses now.

If I can make half a dozen I'll win a free set of steak knives.

My family have not been helpful, probably they just didn't know what to do. Not many people know, or want to know, about mental illness.

I hope you find support here, and feel valued. Your MI is real and you deserve any help you can get.

Take care.

In response to: Going public with my story of psychosis - addressing the stigma

Beebianca1977Casual Contributor23 Sept 2017, 8:58 pm AEST

Re: Going public with my story of psychosis - addressing the stigma

Thanks so much I have lived thru hell I can no longer work. I used to be a primary teacher but now deemed unfit to teach. I have to live a stress free life because of these characters I've completed 6 years of uni and now I'm on a disability pension. My life has just crashed. I can't handle things anymore

In response to: Re: Going public with my story of psychosis - addressing the stigma

Kate84Contributor09 Oct 2017, 5:54 pm AEDT

Re: Going public with my story of psychosis - addressing the stigma

@Beebianca1977,

That sounds so full-on and tough to live with - my heart goes out to you. I can imagine it's also challenging not being in a position to work. I hope you can get some good help and advice - this forum is a great place to start. Sending big hugs.

In response to: Going public with my story of psychosis - addressing the stigma

soppykatSenior Contributor18 May 2021, 7:39 pm AEST

Re: Going public with my story of psychosis - addressing the stigma

Hi @Kate84 - it is great that you are writing an article about mental illness and stuff 🙂 I think more people need to be aware of what it is really like to be unwell in our way. I myself used to have a website and a book about my life and stuff..i took the book down because i am too afraid of people reading it. but anyways, be brave ok 🙂

In response to: Re: Going public with my story of psychosis - addressing the stigma

Kate84Contributor19 May 2021, 5:48 am AEST

Re: Going public with my story of psychosis - addressing the stigma

Thanks @soppykat, appreciate your response.

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