Living with Psychosis and Constant Hallucinations

Shelley experiences psychosis and constant hallucinations that started at the age of 39 after a miscarriage. Now 46, her hallucinations have only increased in frequency and intensity. Shelley wants others to know that she is a kind and empathetic person and that people that experience psychosis are not automatically dangerous.

[voidmayonnaise]

Having a deceased baby in your womb is so traumatizing.
I’m a man so I can only imagine, but I don’t think I could keep going day to day. Her mental strength is astounding.

[astrid]

her face lit up when she was talking about crocheting it was so cute

[connordaley]

As a sufferer of psychosis, this is really uplifting ❤

[XitStgeLeft]

It was educational for me to learn that you can experience psychosis without being schizophrenic. I had the misconception that psychosis was something specific to schizophrenia.

[aphextwen]

Hormones are hugely related to mental health but under researched and the link is rarely made. Not only is losing a child hugely hugely traumatic but your body is experiencing drastic hormonal changes. I experienced psychotic depression related to my period and since my eyes have been opened to how many people deal with mental health problems related to hormonal changes and childbearing. Our brains react differently to the normal changes of hormones throughout the month, and if anything affects that even more (stress, pregnancy, food, anything!) then symptoms worsen. I found out that people with PMDD are more likely to experience postnatal depression and psychosis. All are under and misdiagnosed and not enough resources are out there. It’s an extremely lonely experience. Thank you Shelley for sharing your story and for your resilience, and Chris for platforming such an important story.

[billy]

When she said “I’m 46” 😮 I thought she was in her mid 20’s

[sirensal]

Miscarriage on her second trimester is traumatic enough! I hope she gets the help and all the support she needs!!

[psyren]

Whoa, that purple color on her is AMAZING.

[brighteyes]

I really like her necklace. Hummingbirds symbolize perseverance and knowledge.

[lesyeuxsansvisage]

As a fellow survivor of similar trauma, please know I’m so proud of you. I KNOW the struggle, and please know you matter, and are a beacon of hope for so many. I had major surgery after a similar loss, then my Mum, Grandmother, and baby sister all died, one right after the other - horrifying deaths. I broke. It’s the only way to describe it. I lost all of my hair, because the trauma, blood loss, and loss of life was so bad, my body couldn’t go on.

Please know you matter, and hearing and seeing your strength, means so very much. May you be blessed with the goodness in life you so dearly deserve 💖🌟

[Stalemarshmallow]

I am a person with bipolar 1 so I’ve experienced psychosis many times. It’s very hard. I’m grateful to you for giving this awful condition a platform. Mental health is not respected enough.

[scarletoracle]

She had a second trimester loss😢 That happened to me many years ago. I then went on to have a living baby. Losing a child will definitely bring mental issues out of the woodwork.

[EmilyHummingbird]

I've been psychotic twice in my life and it is a horrible and scary thing for the human being to endure. God bless her.

[notoprah]

Listening to Shelley speak about carrying her deceased baby just took the breath out of me. What a terrible thing to experience. She strikes me as such a gentle spirit. I'm glad she has such great support around her!

[v.Hohenheim]

Bawling now bc I have the same diagnoses with the Complex PTSD and the Depression/psychosis combination and I am so sorry for what you're going through. Different background and triggers, but I knew exactly what you meant when you were describing your Illness. There are a lot of people out there like us and the scientific understanding and the appropriate treatments, especially medication is getting better and better and I am hopeful for the future.

[soloman]

My ex wife used to have hallucinations periodically along with her psychosis and borderline personality disorder. Thank you Shelley for sharing and for your strength in telling your story. Takes a lot of courage and you did awesome! Thank you SBSK! You guys Rock!

[lucamara]

Luckily I don’t associate people with psychosis with danger because I know people who have it or have had it. Like them, she seems like a lovely and sweet person:)

[michelea]

Not afraid of you Shelley. You are a thoughtful, wholehearted person and I'm sorry for all the things that happened to you. Wishing you all the best.

[MartineStedman]

I have schizoaffective and can deeply relate. All I can say Shelley is I see you and I love you. Stay strong. //Martine

[Grace]

She seems like a really kind and positive person, which is striking given how difficult her diagnoses are. I am so glad that she feels safe and loved.