Psychosis rarely affects just one person. It affects a whole family.
For 16 years I have been Chartered Psychologist and support relatives of People experiencing an acute psychotic crisis. I often see family members being left on their own by our otherwise good support system. Knowledge about a psychotic crisis is extremely helpful right now and can even save lives.
For me, this is not just about understanding psychosis. I also know the Help system, its possibilities – and its limitations. Especially when trust in psychiatry, doctors or other helpers has been lost, a different approach is often needed: calm, respectful and without building up pressure prematurely.
The trust is broken.
The person experiencing psychosis requires a different kind of support.
There are two of us coming
Neurodiversity coach Pia Katzenberger works with a special focus on ADHD, sensitivity and creativity. In doing so, she brings not only expert knowledge, but also a special capacity for perception. As a highly sensitive person herself, she frequently notices subtle changes, overwhelm and nuances that are easily overlooked in tense situations.
Especially for people who perceive stimuli very intensely, think unusually or feel misunderstood by the classical support system, this perspective can different approach to contact and trust enable.
Real on-site support
A psychotic crisis cannot simply be „argued away“. And anyone who has already had bad experiences with psychiatry or the care system may initially react to yet another supposed expert with distrust.
That is why we connect psychological experience with a neurodiversity-affirming perspective. We observe differently, hear differently – and that is precisely how we complement each other.
When we go together to someone in a psychotic crisis, it is therefore not about convincing them of our point of view at first. It is about, Establishing contact, building trust and figuring out what the next step could actually be acceptable for this person.
Two perspectives. One goal: finding a way in when other ways no longer work.
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