Quote:
Originally Posted by bluebicycle
Yeah, sorry for not being clear, but that is what I mean about delusions -- that you cannot identify a delusion when you're currently severely psychotic because a delusion is a fixed belief that doesn't budge no matter what kind of evidence you are given. You can definitely identify them later on when you're not severely psychotic, though, and not completely immersed in your own "delusional world," if you will. I know I can later on, when not immersed in my delusional world, recognize some of the times I felt there were cameras watching me and someone was out to kill me. But in the badly psychotic moment, nope. Can not identify the delusion.
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Makes sense. I think for some you can essentially train yourself to bring your awareness of the delusion with you. Maybe you leave yourself a clue in your own handwriting. Maybe you have a list of your main delusions on your phone. Maybe you repeat mantras to combat the delusions so it is hardwired in your brain that they are false. Something like 'When my friends tell me it is a delusion, I listen'. Or 'Cameras in the walls means I'm not well'.
Maybe in those cases you still have the delusion but you carry a tiny shred of 'knowingness' alongside it and seek help for yourself.
Edited to add... My husband and I have a codeword for psychosis. If he says it, our plan is to contact my doctor and therapist immediately. Our hope with the codeword is it won't be him fighting me on the delusions because my brain will instantly reject his claims as false. We think it is possible using the codeword will bypass the delusions and I'll be able to remember all of the bad things that came along with not taking action last time. We haven't used it yet, but this is the plan...