The Strength of Us
The Strength of Us
Psychosis caused by teenage stress
Tess was a popular girl at school and at 17 years old, had experienced a stress induced, near fatal psychosis that saw her hospitalised twice. Once in her final year of high school and the second and last time, a year later. Tess considers herself lucky that it never developed into a more serious illness like Schizophrenia. Her self esteem was shattered, hopes and dreams lost and social support gone. With little to no professional support or understanding available at the time, Tess and her family turned to natural therapies such as Yoga and healthy eating.
It was many years later, when Tess was studying psychology that a lecturer began to talk about psychosis and its symptoms. This is when the penny dropped. Tess was able to understand what had happened to her all those years ago and was able to begin her healing process by talking about it.
In her blog, Tess explains, "With the help of therapy, I learnt there were different types of psychosis for example, many women experience it after child birth, and it is actually very common. And is a common symptom for those with Bipolar. But the problem is – nobody talks about it. Because there is also still so much stigma around the term “psychosis” and it is still very much attached to the term “psycho” or “loony” from the old days when there were mental asylums. Which is just not what It’s like at all."
Learn more from Tess here: https://wellcreativeminds.com/
Program discussed by Tess: https://raise.org.au/
Website: https://thestrengthofus.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/strengthofus/
Email: contact@thestrengthofus.com
Educational and Supportive Links:
https://www.lifeline.org.au/
Watch: what happens when you call lifeline
https://www.beyondblue.org.au/
https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/mentalhealth/psychosocial/foundations/Pages/types-psychosis.aspx
https://www.sane.org/information-stories/facts-and-guides/psychosis
https://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/resources-support/bipolar-disorder/