Psychosis
Schizophrenia
In Brief
Hallucinations, delusions, disorganization, disordered thinking, catatonia, difficulty concentrating.
Quotes
“Schizophrenia cannot be understood without understanding despair.” ~ R. D. Laing
“We all go a little mad once in a while.” ~ Norman Bates
“When we speak to God, it’s called prayer. When God speaks back, it’s called psychosis.” ~ Lily Tomlin
“Healing takes time and asking for help is a courageous step.” ~ M. Hargitay
Schizophrenia Resources
Websites
Hearingvoices.org
Schizophrenia.com
Nami.org
Paranoidthoughts.com
Selfcompassion.com
Movies
A Beautiful Mind
Matchstick Men
The Perks of Being a Wallflower
Infinitely Polar Bear
Books
Surviving Mental Illness
~ Hatfield, Lefley, Strauss
The Voices in My Head
~ E. Longden
Therapy Pros
Enduring the siege of panic, dislocation. Identifying triggers.
Therapy Cons
“I’m not sick.” “I don’t need help.” Medication non-compliance.
Tip(s)
Rule out brain tumors, recreational drugs, neurological disease (Parkinson’s etc.), HIV, epilepsy, stroke.
Delusions
In Brief
Persecution & Control. Bizarre and illogical thought processes, not amenable to reason or persuasion.
Pro Tip
A delusion will not go away by reasoning.
Quotes
“All are lunatics, but he who can analyze his delusions is called a philosopher.” ~ A. Bierce
“Delusions detest focus and romance provides the veil.” ~ S. Finnamore
Client / Therapist
Client:
“Aliens are threatening to abduct me.”
Therapist:
“That sounds terribly frightening.”
Hallucinations
In Brief
A visual, verbal or physical illusion that a person sees, hears or feels and mistakes for reality.
Quotes
“A hallucination is a fact, not an error; what’s erroneous is basing a judgment on it.” ~ B. Russell
Client / Therapist
Client:
“You mean you can’t hear them?”
Therapist:
“No. Not at all, but I can understand that you feel frightened.”
Client:
“So what do you want to know about my voices?”
Therapist:
“Are they trying to make your life better or worse?”
Hallucination Resources
Websites
Nimh.gov
Heretohelp.bc.ca
Sane.org
Treatingpsychosis.com
Aafp.org
Movies
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
A Beautiful Mind
I Never Promised You a Rose Garden
Books
Hidden Valley Road
~ R. Kolker
Surviving Schizophrenia
~ E. Torrey
Chasing My Cure
~ D. Fajgenbaum
Hallucinations Therapy
Auditory or visual. Typically, voices are critical, vulgar, or abusive. Self-medication issues.
Delusions Therapy
Bizarre or odd beliefs: Persecution, paranoia, reference, grandeur, religious, somatic, control.