| Abstract [eng] |
Acute and chronic psychotic disorders are among the leading causes of disability in the world. Psychosis is experienced as an existential crisis accompanied by immense psychological suffering. Despite this, timely intervention can lead to recovery for a substantial part of people with psychosis. In recent years more and more attention has been drawn towards exploring the possibilities of post-traumatic growth after experiencing psychosis. The aim of this study is to reveal and explore the experiences of post-traumatic growth among people with psychosis: how people describe their experience of psychosis and what aspects of post-traumatic growth do people identify. 5 people with experience of psychosis participated – 4 males and 1 female. The results were gathered by semi-structured interviews and analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. The results reveal that despite the negative consequences of psychosis, participants also report positive changes in their lives, i.e. post-traumatic growth. On an individual level people experience a deeper understanding of their inner world, newly discovered personality features, increased striving for self-dependent life and creativity. On an interpersonal level people experience increased importance of relationships, sense of togetherness with others who suffer and changes in close relationships. Positive spiritual changes are experienced differently: both the increasing importance of belief and the rejection of spiritual and religious experiences are reported. The process of psychosis integration, spurred by successful psychotherapy, is crucial for experiencing post-traumatic growth. The results of this study encourage viewing psychosis as an experience with the possibilities for both psychological suffering and psychological growth. In clinical practice, the results of this study may be useful when trying to help people more successfully adapt to life after psychosis. |
