Psychosis and schizophrenia

Drawing of six people in a living room having tea and cake around a table, with a window and plant in the background.
NEURODIVERSITY

Hand-drawn animation brings a meeting of ‘voice-hearers’ to life

Directed by Tristan Thil

Photo of a person walking past a mural of large, realistic teeth and lips on a wall, with the mural dominating the background.
HALLUCINATIONS AND DELUSIONS

If you hear voices, here are some empowering ways to respond

Hearing voices isn’t always a problem – but if they’re stressful or frightening, it is possible to regain a sense of control

by Mark Hayward

Photo of a child peeking over a pink slide against a blue sky, partially obscured by play equipment and tree branches.
TRAUMA AND PTSD

The shadows cast by childhood abuse and neglect are not the same

Unravelling the pathways from different forms of childhood maltreatment to mental illness could lead to better treatments

by Anne Alkema & Marco Boks

Photo of two men examining a prosthetic hand on a table, with wires and devices connected.
PSYCHOSIS AND SCHIZOPHRENIA

Rubber hand illusions shed new light on our bodily sense of self

Testing the illusions on those who have entered altered states offers clues about the experience of being in control

by Shayla Love

Photo of a cloudy sky with large white and grey clouds against a backdrop of blue sky.
THINKING AND INTELLIGENCE

When the human tendency to detect patterns goes too far

‘Apophenia’ is reflected in pleasant and troubling experiences alike – from seeing faces in clouds to conspiracy beliefs

by Shayla Love

Illustration of a person on a beach near a large artistic wave with rocks and overhanging tree branch.
FEAR AND PHOBIA

How to handle paranoid thoughts

Feel like you’re being watched, judged or talked about? These exercises will help you assess the situation and calm your mind

by Antonella Trotta

Photo of a hallway with a mirror reflecting a person, a washing machine is visible in a room to the right.
PSYCHOSIS AND SCHIZOPHRENIA

How to support a loved one through psychosis

Navigating disruptions in shared reality can be distressing. The way forward isn’t intuitive but is powerfully effective

by Akansha Vaswani-Bye

Abstract painting featuring bold black lines, geometric shapes, and colourful forms in red, blue, and earth tones.
PSYCHOSIS AND SCHIZOPHRENIA

Psychosis can be a personal hell. It can also inspire growth

From a new sense of purpose to improved relationships, there are hopeful signs of post-traumatic growth after psychosis

by Gerald Jordan, Robyn Thomas & Veenu Gupta

Painting of goldfish in a bowl surrounded by plants with two people viewing in a gallery setting.
THERAPEUTIC RELATIONSHIPS

What my patient with paranoia taught me about fear and humanity

John was a paranoid patient who sat in my therapy room and scared me – until I realised I was not without paranoia myself

by Patricia Steckler

A man and a woman sit at a table in conversation, with drinks, a flower vase, and a newspaper. A puzzle, piano, and window are in the background.
PSYCHOSIS AND SCHIZOPHRENIA

Love can fuel the deep empathy needed to understand psychosis

Dedicated carers search for shared mooring points of understanding to help them connect with their loved ones with psychosis

by Zoë Boden-Stuart

Surreal painting of a side profile with various images including a daffodil, buildings, people, a mug, and a fish.
PSYCHOSIS AND SCHIZOPHRENIA

People with psychosis can heal by rebuilding their life stories

The narrative identities of people with schizophrenia reveal its profound disruption – but also the potential for growth

by Henry R Cowan

Audience with a seascape projected onto them, creating an artistic overlay of water and light.
ALTERED STATES

Immersive art opens a window on the mystery of other minds

Immersive art lets us safely explore the altered minds of others, changing how we view ourselves and humanity in general

by Joe Barnby