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rynlingSomething I’ve started to see on Tumblr that sounds like it should be a parody but is actually kind of cool is "pro-psychotic" discourse. The essential argument is that, if we normalize autism and ADHD as neurotypes, we should extend our sympathy to psychosis-spectrum neurotypes as well.
I’ve been on the receiving end of psychotic behavior from people in my family, from random strangers online, and occasionally from people I work with as well. I would never deny how scary these experiences are, and I would never tell anyone that they’re wrong for being upset by similar experiences.
But the truth is that being violent and abusive isn’t a neurotype! Based on my experience working with a wide range of people in higher education, I’d say that most people who identify as being on the psychosis spectrum are actually fairly chill. I’d even hazard to guess that they tend to be more chill than neurotypical people due to therapy and self-monitoring.
And honestly, I think that a greater public awareness of what the psychosis spectrum is, as well as a broad social destigmatization, will help people identify and understand their symptoms and then get the treatment they need – if in fact they need treatment at all. Because these associated clusters of neurotypes are a spectrum, some people benefit greatly from medication, while others will benefit most from basic self-knowledge.
Like ADHD and autism, psychosis runs in families, so a greater awareness can also help people see and understand these neurotypes for what they are without villainizing or alienating themselves or the people close to them. And if a psychotic break does happen – and this can happen to neurotypical people as well – it’s good to know what it looks like and how to handle it effectively.
Also, it’s good to understand what psychosis is not. If someone is being weird online, for instance, this is not a result of their neurotype, in much the same way that autism wasn’t responsible for all the weird Gamergate nonsense that started on 4chan. Certain neurotypes can amplify certain behaviors, but being an asshole is a personal choice.
( And it’s definitely worth saying that there are a range of adolescent behaviors that are “weird” but not indicative of anything beyond just being a teenager. Better awareness also helps prevent misdiagnosis and unfair prejudice, and that’s important too! )
Like I said, there are people on the psychosis spectrum in my own family. Some of the experiences I had with these people when I was growing up were genuinely scary, but they didn’t have to be. I wish I had known what was going on when I was younger; and, as an adult, I can totally see how a better understanding would have really helped everyone involved.
In the end, gothic novels are fun to read, but no one should have to live in one, you know?
Also I just wanted to say that sometimes I feel that people on Tumblr get things right in a way that no one else on the internet does. I tend not to engage with the site's culture of social commentary, but I appreciate that it exists.
I’ve been on the receiving end of psychotic behavior from people in my family, from random strangers online, and occasionally from people I work with as well. I would never deny how scary these experiences are, and I would never tell anyone that they’re wrong for being upset by similar experiences.
But the truth is that being violent and abusive isn’t a neurotype! Based on my experience working with a wide range of people in higher education, I’d say that most people who identify as being on the psychosis spectrum are actually fairly chill. I’d even hazard to guess that they tend to be more chill than neurotypical people due to therapy and self-monitoring.
And honestly, I think that a greater public awareness of what the psychosis spectrum is, as well as a broad social destigmatization, will help people identify and understand their symptoms and then get the treatment they need – if in fact they need treatment at all. Because these associated clusters of neurotypes are a spectrum, some people benefit greatly from medication, while others will benefit most from basic self-knowledge.
Like ADHD and autism, psychosis runs in families, so a greater awareness can also help people see and understand these neurotypes for what they are without villainizing or alienating themselves or the people close to them. And if a psychotic break does happen – and this can happen to neurotypical people as well – it’s good to know what it looks like and how to handle it effectively.
Also, it’s good to understand what psychosis is not. If someone is being weird online, for instance, this is not a result of their neurotype, in much the same way that autism wasn’t responsible for all the weird Gamergate nonsense that started on 4chan. Certain neurotypes can amplify certain behaviors, but being an asshole is a personal choice.
( And it’s definitely worth saying that there are a range of adolescent behaviors that are “weird” but not indicative of anything beyond just being a teenager. Better awareness also helps prevent misdiagnosis and unfair prejudice, and that’s important too! )
Like I said, there are people on the psychosis spectrum in my own family. Some of the experiences I had with these people when I was growing up were genuinely scary, but they didn’t have to be. I wish I had known what was going on when I was younger; and, as an adult, I can totally see how a better understanding would have really helped everyone involved.
In the end, gothic novels are fun to read, but no one should have to live in one, you know?
Also I just wanted to say that sometimes I feel that people on Tumblr get things right in a way that no one else on the internet does. I tend not to engage with the site's culture of social commentary, but I appreciate that it exists.
