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Training, Writing, Psychotherapy . . .
inspired by lived experience
If you are looking to better understand what the word “psychosis” means, you have landed in the right place. I believe that the way this word is understood in the modern world clouds the judgement of many treatment providers, family members, and sufferers. Indeed mainstream judgements and cultural delusions associated with the medicalized label of schizophrenia can lead to challenging interpersonal relationships, grave misunderstandings and pain and suffering.
Learn to Journey through Madness with a mad person in a way that builds relationship. Understand psychosis in a new way with specific strategies that help you be a healer. Stop being anxious and frustrated and sending people to the hospital, increasing their medications or further marginalizing them.
There is a lot to read and understand on this site in the pages and blog. You may prefer to start with signing up for my email list to learn what Special Message experiences are. This is a great way to keep abreast of opportunities to contribute and participate in the trainings. I believe it is possible to learn to have optimal relationships with people in “psychosis.” Such relationships can be used to help improve society rather than sustain pain, suffering, and oppression.
It is true conflicts associated with “psychosis” can feel very grim. You are not nearly as alone as you may think. Simple acceptance is often the first step towards transforming your life and relationships.
Join Tim’s Email List to Learn About Special Messages, a Free PDF
Across Diagnostic Categories!
Whether you are a sufferer, survivor, provider or loved one, I am almost certain that when we look across diagnostic categories that more people relate to these experiences than you think!
What Will People Think?
When a person first experiences a psychosis or special message emergency, many think a threshold has been crossed from which there is no going back. Often, associates presume the worst possible outcome and go on with their lives as if the sufferer no longer exists.
Treatment?
Often, the focus of treatment is overly protective reality checks and behavioral control. Many experts do not know what to do and utilize an institutional system that does not work and can make things worse. They may vastly underestimate what the sufferer can learn and accomplish.
When the Public Studies Mass Murder
January 7, 2017: I sit stunned in the wake of the tragedy of yesterday’s Fort Lauderdale shooting. As statements appear in the press that insinuate that these evil acts need to be avenged, I grieve for the senseless loss of life. I grieve and I also wonder if anyone cares to understand the dilemmas that […]
Three Ethics to Consider when Making Money off Psychosis
Making money off the Mad is not a privilege to take lightly when one believes in recovery. Many of the Mad in the system, depending on how much experience they have, will presume you’re going to treat them like a commodity or property as many provider-folks have done previously in their history. I believe that […]
How Writing Helped Me Make Sense Of Madness, By Emma Goude
When I came out of hospital, after my first psychotic episode in 1996, aged 27, I felt compelled to write about my experiences. I used to have romantic notions of madness, was the first sentence of what, I didn’t realise at the time, would become My Beautiful Psychosis. Reading it now, it doesn’t sound like […]
Writing for Mental Health: Six Basic Considerations
I like to think that I could recommend writing to some other people who have been subjected to a diagnostic labeling process that diminishes their hopes and potential. Indeed as emotional tension pulses through my back and appendages, I have found few other outlets that are there for me like the mixing and mastering letters. […]
Tony Parsons
A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A fairly well written mental illness memoir book. . . . There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great biographical movie, a college PP presentation, or better yet a mini TV series or even a documentary (A & E, History channel).
Rabia Tanveer, Readers Favorite, five stars
“I finally understand what a person with a mental illness feels like,lives like, and how he fights for his sanity and his life every single day . . .This book has compassion, passion, understanding, and a force of will that will allow any person to become better and make peace with themselves. Great job.”
Linda Jacobs on The Journey Through Psychosis Workshop
I have worked in the mental health system for many years and this workshop was like a breath of fresh air. Tim has opened my eyes to a whole different way of understanding “psychosis” and provided techniques that feel like a much better way of interacting with someone who is suffering. It should be mandatory training for all staff of hospitals and mental heath institutions. As a family member of someone who “hears voices,” this workshop has given me the chance to connect to my loved one with confidence and grace.
Peg Morrison
If you ever wondered what happened to Holden Caulfield, read this book.
It’s compelling, insightful, and artfully told. At times gritty and at times gracious, it is written from the heart. I literally laughed and cried.
I understand the critiques written by others. There is some redundancy, and some passages are hard to follow. To me this mirrors recovery perfectly. There are days that last a lifetime. There are questions that are never answered. For me that’s part of the beauty of this book.
My hats off to the author.
Niki’s book review
“What a great read! As a person with mental health issues myself, I could relate to most of the memoir. Go ahead and read this book. I guarantee you won’t be able to put it down. Read cover to cover fast!”
Karen Mabry on The Journey Through Psychosis Workshop
This workshop provided me with new skills for my work as a peer. I believe the roadmap offers the best way to connect with peers struggling with psychosis.
Paige Lovitt, Readers Views, five stars
“[Clyde’s] story is fascinating because he is able to intellectualize what he was thinking and feeling at the time, even if he is discussing his paranoid delusional thoughts . . . As someone with a Master’s of Science degree in a counseling field, I have found my greatest lessons have been from real people and not material in textbooks. As I read Clyde’s story, I felt like I learned many lessons through what he has to share. My work will definitely be more beneficial by what I learned from him.”
Book Viral Spotlight
“Much has been written on the subject of schizophrenia with as many paths to recovery as there are individuals affected by it, but Dee’s work is most notable for his candid reflections on cultural delusions. Clearly articulating the loss of faculties that make us what we are, they prove intrinsic to the telling of his story. More importantly they provide an often harrowing perspective on the anguish of mental illness from the inside and in doing so allow Dee to address commonly held beliefs and prejudices.”
Midwest Book Review, five stars
“An intensely personal and impressively well written memoir, “Fighting for Freedom in America: Memoir of a ‘Schizophrenia’ and Mainstream Cultural Delusions” is a compelling read from beginning to end.”