[xxyxx]

>> Also, if you reject the notion of abuse and it turns out some of it was true, you'd be gas lighting the patient which will lead to additional distress and a distrust of the very people who are trying to help.

Absolutly true.

If you deal with a psychotic it is very hard to convince them it's a delusion. People won't understand the patient and will treat them like an idiot and crazy person. Try to treat the patient and the delusions with respect and at least try to understand the situation. If you dismiss it as "crazy talk" and insult the patient's intelligence you will only make it worse.

I suffered for years and it was a neverending nightmare. Nobody will ever understand the horrible things I went through. And the worst part of it all. You get told everything is delusions. No one believes you and you doubt yourself. I will never know what experiences were real and what experiences were only in my mind. And it's really hard. I know some of it was real. But I don't know how much and what. I have the constant feeling everybody is gaslighting me and just wants me to believe I'm crazy through and trough.

These days I avoid social interactions and keep to myself. I don't trust people anymore and isolated myself. I read a lot and feeding my brain somewhat intellectual content to keep it busy. It seems to work. I haven't had a major episode in 2 years. Which further confirms my theory, that it was the environment and the people around me.

I'm happy when I'm alone and I can relax. But I have the constant feeling that I will never know the truth about my experiences and nobody will ever tell me.

My point is never, ever under no circumstances lie to a shizophrenic. Not even If you think you are doing a good thing. Tell the truth, even if it will hurt. Not knowing is really really bad for mental health. And we are not exactly good on social cues, so tell it like it is and don't be subtle.

source: I was diagnosed 8 years ago

edit: typos

[SolaceQuantum]

I'm schizotypal so I'm not as bad but I can definitely echo these sentiments, and I would also say that dismissing someone's experiences is incredibly invalidating, especially when it comes to just trying to make friends. I struggle reading human behavior over my paranoia and people can be upset and call me an abusive person for my asking their behavior or seeking their confirmation for their behavior, which often itself becomes them behaving in a gaslighting manner to me in order to prevent me from questioning them. It's really upsetting because I cannot tell if what I am understanding from people's behavior is correct and I am scared of asking.

[phkahler]

I believe this applies to all the cluster A personality disorders. Traditional and widely taught forms of therapy can be harmful to them.

[FailMore]

Hi there,

I have been through eight years of therapy and though I have not experienced schizophrenia, I have experienced and overcome psychosis.

I am fairly sure I understand its origins through my own internal experience of it and the reading I have done on the space (Dr Winnicott is a must). This understanding helped me overcome it. I was wondering if we could perhaps have a Skype / call / go back and forth a few times via email (whatever you are most comfortable with) to see if it helps.

If you would be interested please email me at eichler(dot)summers(at)gmail(dot)com.

Josh