Stress induced psychosis

[Fruityb]

Posting for traffic....

My niece has just been diagnosed with this. She’s at uni, had a messy break up with a boyfriend and is working hard on a difficult course. Since she came home for Christmas my sister has told me she’s convinced her phone is tapped, that the police are coming to get her, that uni want her gone and have had a secret meeting since she came home about her and that her dad, who she doesn’t see, is in on it all.

I’m going up there on Sunday to start Christmas celebrations as were spending it up there with them. They live about 70 miles away and we’re close. I’m so worried about her and just don’t know what I can do to help.

She’s seen a doctor after my sister called the mental health number and they sent an ambulance. She’s on meds and is sleeping better and is being seen by someone daily. I just don’t know what to do.

Does anyone have any experience of this? We’re really close and she absolutely adores my son - I’ve bought her a journal to write down positives but I just don’t know what I can do to help. I’ll be there for her obviously but does anyone have any advice?

Thanks 😊

I’m sorry to read this, there are some tips within this article that may be a springboard for further understanding and reading
www.helpguide.org/articles/mental-disorders/helping-someone-with-schizophrenia.htm

oh bless her. I work in a team that deals with this. I would say - listen to the health care professionals looking after her, don't be afraid to ask them questions if there are things you need to know/are worried about. Meds should help her with her unusual thoughts. Do make sure she is taking her meds, sometimes people dont belive they need them and dont take them.She may also be offered therapy when she is more settled and she should be followed up afterwards with an opportunity to work on things such as recognising warning signs in case it happens again and how to handle stress etc...
Try not to be freaked out by the odd ideas she is coming out with . They are not real but will feel very real to her. They are extemely common, and she is likely to feel quite scard at times. Try not to try and correct her unusal thoughts too much - she is likely very convinced what she is saying is true and will not be able to reason/rationalise at this stage. Tey and give her space ans some quiet over Christmas. She will not be up to lots of socialising etc..
Most of all dont be afraid to ask for help. If you or your sister are worried at any time contact the mental health team. Make sure you have contact numbers for the regular team and the out of hours/crisis team over Christmas.
And also very importantly remain positive and hopeful. She will more than likely make a full recovery. It may take some time but she will get there and she will be able to go on and do whatever she wants with her life, even if there is a bit of a pause.
I hope she does well, and can get some enjoyment from Christmas.

DH experienced this. It is very frightening. Meds were good and helped immensely. He does not need to take them now.

oh, and please, please do not start panicing that this is "shizophrenia" there are many, many causes of pyschosis, of which schizophrenia is one, but at her age and in her situation the stress induced psychosis is mor likely.

Thank you. She’s 19 and usually so chilled and laid back. When she split up with her boyfriend it got nasty and she got obsessive about him - constantly checking on him online. I even ended up contacting him to tell him not to respond to her at all as it wasn’t helping. He threatened to tell her uni about it, like it’d even matter, and I think this is now rearing its head. This was in February!

She studies dance and is in uni all day every day pretty much as well as workshops on weekends. I think maybe stopping for Christmas has just let her mind go into overdrive. I’m so excited to see her and spend Christmas with her. I’ll just keep in mind not to try and rationalise with her then.

She has support and help and I’ll be there as much as I can. I’ve always been so maternal with her - she’s like my little sister.