Psychotic people NEED more coping mechanisms that aren’t just “take your meds” . Seeing a psychiatrist is expensive and inaccessible for many, not to mention the fact that for some people, the side effects of antipsychotics are worse than the psychosis itself, and the fact that antipsychotics often don’t remove symptoms entirely!
So, here’s what I learned, after nearly a decade of being unmedicated due to financial constraints and a religious family that was fairly anti-psychiatry for most of my life:
- STRESS MANAGEMENT. A stress-free life is impossible in this society, but you can definitely lower your stress levels with lifestyle changes. Stay hydrated, exercise, take your vitamins, spend time with loved ones, eat nutritious meals, spend some time outside in nature.
- It’s very hard to keep on top of all of this when you’re dealing with negative symptoms, and many of us can’t access all those things if we’re poor, but every little bit helps. To-do lists and bullet journals help me keep on track with this stuff.
- PROPER SLEEP. Sleep deprivation is one of the number one causes of psychosis. Try to get at least 8 hours a night, or however much your body personally needs.
- Stay away from weed unless you already know for a FACT that it doesn’t negatively affect you. If you don’t know, don’t risk it, because it makes paranoia and other psychotic symptoms much worse for most of us.
- When in an episode, it’s good to have a safe person around who you can confide in. Someone who will listen to you nonjudgementally, without encouraging your delusions or hallucinations. If you don’t have a safe person, psychosis forums, support groups, or even just a private diary are all good places to get your thoughts out.
- One of the best ways I dealt with some of my less intense delusions and paranoias was my “I Don’t Care” method. People are watching me through cameras everywhere I go? Whatever, let them watch. I’ll put on a little show for them while we’re at it. I’m living in a horrifying simulation and if I just look through the cracks I can see the rotting world beneath? Whatever, why would I want to do that? This fake milkshake tastes pretty good, I’m going to go on a fake walk.
- Obviously this takes some practice, because psychosis activates all the parts of your brain that are like FEAR ALERT, FEAR ALERT, SET ALL SYSTEMS TO PANIC, but after some time it’s a skill you can hone pretty well.
- Breathing exercises! Tormented by horrifying prophetic visions? Hallucinating bugs all over your body? Your food looks suspiciously like human organs and that’s really freaking you out, man? Wrap yourself in a weighted blanket and breathe in for 4 seconds, hold it for 4 seconds, breathe out for 4 seconds, hold, and repeat.
- Avoid the tempting cycle of triggering yourself on purpose, whether it be self harm, curiosity, what have you. When you get the urge, do something distracting instead.
Feel free to add onto this post anything else you’ve learned!
