ANSWER: Yes, can learn to understand and respect your hallucinations and delusions. For example, I used to get VERY scared that I had a demon following me to harm me. Eventually I saw this psychotic experience for what it was- an anxiety response to a trigger. I still see myself get killed when I have anxious psychosis, but I just watch now. I am no longer scared. I used to see a lot of dead bodies – such as seeing a bag of leaves and just KNOWING there is a dead body in the bag. Now, I have the idea there is a dead body and I say, “Well, I’ve been triggered. I’m psychotic and have to make some changes.”
PARANOIA….The unfounded fear and worry that someone or something is behaving towards you in a harmful way.
My paranoia is still a problem. I think others are out to harm me or steal my ideas. One problem is that I do get a lot of my ideas taken without credit, so this can get complicated. Psychosis is a SYMPTOM. I find it fascinating. My Health Cards changed how I manage this illness. Now, I have ALL of my psychotic symptoms listed and they are familiar. It’s never pleasant, but I have learned to live with my psychosis. I also NEVER go near high THC pot. That made me so psychotic I almost had to go to the hospital!
Also, we can’t talk about psychosis in bipolar disorder without mentioning schizoaffective disorder. If you, like MYSELF have psychosis that is separate from your mania and depression the correct diagnosis is schizoaffective disorder. Here is an article on the topic that can help you decide if you have regular ole bipolar or if you actually have schizo (psychosis) affective (mood) disorder.
