A Journey Through Psychosis: One Family’s Story
A Journey Through Psychosis: One Family’s Story
Rachael Simonoff Wexler
When Jamie* first walked through our doors, he didn’t believe he belonged here. In fact, he was horrified. He had been admitted involuntarily through a conservatorship, and as soon as he saw that we specialized in psychosis, he turned around and left.
Jamie didn’t believe he had schizophrenia. He believed he had been a famous scientist whose discoveries had been stolen. He thought he was under constant surveillance by a secret government agency. He was convinced that strangers were planting microchips in his belongings to track him. None of it was real, but to Jamie, it was.
And that’s where our work began.
From Crisis to Stability
Jamie’s parents had been trying to help him for years. They had sought residential programs, but there were few options, especially for adults with severe symptoms. After a stay in a facility near his last hospital admission, Jamie needed a next step, and his family turned to us.
When he finally agreed to return, it wasn’t because he believed he needed help. It was because he had no choice. He was extremely ill, had no insight into his condition, and had spent years moving between unstable housing and brief hospital stays. The likelihood of a full recovery was slim. But we weren’t aiming for perfect, we were aiming for better.
Meeting People Where They Are
Psychosis isn’t something we ‘fix.’ It’s something we help people live with. We don’t tell our patients that their delusions aren’t real. Instead, we focus on what they want out of life. In Jamie’s case, it started small. Did he want a place to live? Did he want to reconnect with his family? Did he want to be more independent?
Instead of trying to convince Jamie that he was sick, we worked with the reality he experienced. Our team, particularly his therapist, Kyle, helped him define achievable goals. He learned skills that many take for granted, how to follow a routine, how to manage hygiene, how to engage with others in a structured environment.
What Success Looks Like
Two years later, Jamie still lives with schizophrenia. He still paces, talking to himself. He styles his hair in an unconventional way that makes him stand out. He doesn’t have close friends. But he’s housed. He’s stable. He volunteers at a local community center. He calls his family regularly, something he never did before.
His insurance, one of the few with out-of-network coverage, pays for him to attend our program several times a week. His family no longer lives in constant fear that he’ll disappear or be hospitalized again. They don’t expect Jamie to live a ‘typical’ life, but they do expect him to live a life with structure, safety, and some level of connection.
Lessons for Other Families
One of the most common questions we hear from parents is, How do I convince my child to get help? There’s no magic answer, but we’ve learned a few things along the way:
- Don’t argue about reality. When someone with psychosis tells you something that isn’t true, arguing won’t help. Acknowledge their experience and shift the focus to what they want in life.
- Start small. If someone refuses treatment, don’t start by talking about long-term programs. Suggest a phone call. A conversation. A single session. For some, just leaving their room is a major first step.
- Find the right fit. Not all programs are created equal. We don’t accept everyone who calls, only those we believe we can help. That means no active drug use, no immediate danger to themselves or others, and the ability to attend an outpatient setting.
- Redefine success. For some, success means college, a job, and independent living. For others, it means stability and safety. For Jamie’s family, success was knowing he wouldn’t end up back on the streets.
Don’t argue about reality. When someone with psychosis tells you something that isn’t true, arguing won’t help. Acknowledge their experience and shift the focus to what they want in life.
Start small. If someone refuses treatment, don’t start by talking about long-term programs. Suggest a phone call. A conversation. A single session. For some, just leaving their room is a major first step.
Find the right fit. Not all programs are created equal. We don’t accept everyone who calls, only those we believe we can help. That means no active drug use, no immediate danger to themselves or others, and the ability to attend an outpatient setting.
Redefine success. For some, success means college, a job, and independent living. For others, it means stability and safety. For Jamie’s family, success was knowing he wouldn’t end up back on the streets.
Moving Forward
Jamie’s journey isn’t over. He will likely always struggle with schizophrenia, but he has found a rhythm, a level of stability that once seemed impossible. And for families in similar situations, his story is a reminder: progress is possible. It may not look like what you imagined, but it can be life-changing nonetheless.
If you’re a parent struggling with how to help your child, we’re here. The first step is simply a conversation. Sometimes, that’s all it takes to begin the journey.
* Names and some details have been changed to protect the privacy of our clients.