Get the facts on the stigma surrounding psychotic disorders

Mental health stigma — including the stigma around psychosis — can make it harder to reach out for help. If you or someone you love has experienced psychosis, you may have felt the weight of judgment, fear, or misinformation. Many people assume that those with psychosis are dangerous or beyond help, but that simply isn’t true. 

Psychosis is the core symptom of psychotic disorders like schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, and schizophreniform disorder. These are serious mental health conditions, not personal failures. By challenging these misconceptions, you can help create a world where people feel safer seeking care, experience less isolation, and are treated with the dignity and respect they deserve.

Therapy can be a powerful tool in overcoming stigma, giving you a safe space to work through challenges, build coping skills, and connect with professionals who understand psychosis. Seeking help isn’t a weakness. Rather, it’s a step toward breaking misconceptions and taking control of your well-being.

Dispelling myths about psychosis

If you or someone you care about has experienced psychosis, you may have encountered negative stereotypes and stigma. Research shows that stigma can cause people to delay or avoid seeking help, prolong untreated psychosis, and lead to poorer outcomes. Challenging these myths can raise awareness and create a more supportive environment for those affected. 

Here are some common myths about psychosis:

1. Myth: Women have psychosis more often than men.

Fact: Psychotic disorders affect people of all genders and sexes at similar rates. Symptoms and treatment responses may differ, but one gender isn’t more likely to experience psychosis than another.

2. Myth: Psychosis happens because of bad parenting or dysfunctional families.

Fact: Psychosis is mostly caused by genetics, brain chemistry, and other biological factors. While family support can help, having a tough childhood doesn’t cause psychosis.

3. Myth: Psychosis is the same as a psychedelic trip.

Fact: Psychedelic trips are intentional and temporary, while psychosis is an uncontrolled break from reality that often needs professional treatment. Psychosis also involves confusion and delusions, not just hallucinations.

4. Myth: People with psychosis are dangerous.

Fact: Most people with psychosis aren’t violent. In fact, they’re more likely to be harmed by others than to hurt anyone themselves. With the right treatment, they can live safe and stable lives.

Misunderstanding psychosis can make it harder for you or someone you care about to seek help, as fear and stigma may delay treatment. By challenging these myths, you can help create a more supportive and informed environment for everyone.

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Origins of stereotypes about psychotic disorders

Historically, people experiencing psychosis or psychotic disorders were often misunderstood and mistreated. In the past, some people with mental health conditions (especially involving psychosis) were believed to be possessed or cursed, and treatments could be harsh and harmful. While we’ve learned a lot more about psychosis, these old views still affect the stereotypes and stigmas that persist today.

Many of the stereotypes you may have seen about psychosis come from movies and TV, in which people with psychosis are often portrayed in popular culture as violent or out of control. This can create fear and misunderstanding. 

A lack of awareness also plays a role. If you’re not familiar with psychosis, it can be easy to believe false information or confuse it with other conditions. Cultural beliefs and stigma may also add to the issue, leading some to see psychosis as a personal failure rather than a sign of a mental health condition. These misunderstandings can make it harder for people to get the help and support they need.

How to combat stigma surrounding psychosis

Everyone can help reduce stigma and misinformation about psychosis. Whether you have a psychotic disorder, know someone who does, or just want to be supportive, here are some ways to make a difference:

• Talk about psychosis. If you feel comfortable, sharing your experiences or facts about psychosis — whether in conversations or on social media — can help reduce stigma. Many people have never heard a firsthand perspective, and seeing honest discussions online can challenge misconceptions and encourage understanding.
• Learn and educate others. Misinformation fuels stigma. Learning about psychotic disorders — like schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder — helps you challenge myths. If you have a loved one who lives with psychosis, understanding their condition can help you support them.
• Stick up against stereotypes. If you hear a harmful myth, correct it (if you feel safe doing so). For example, if someone says, “People with psychosis are violent,” you could reply, “Actually, they’re more likely to be victims of violence than to harm others.”
• Challenge self-stigma. If you have a psychotic disorder, remember that your diagnosis doesn’t define you. While symptoms can be challenging to live with, you’re not “broken” or “dangerous.” Reframing self-talk — like replacing, “I’m a burden,” with, “I deserve care and support” — can help.
• Use respectful language. Words matter, and you can make a difference by paying attention to how you talk about people with mental health conditions. For example, practice using person-first language by saying “person with schizophrenia” instead of “schizophrenic person.”

By doing these things, we can help create a kinder, more understanding world where people with psychosis feel supported and respected.

Strategies for self-advocacy and support

Navigating stereotypes about psychotic disorders can be frustrating and exhausting, but you’re not alone. If you have a psychotic disorder, you may encounter misunderstandings or stigma from others. While you can’t control how people think, you can choose to respond in ways that protect your well-being. 

Here are some strategies to help you handle these situations with confidence and self-respect:

• Set boundaries in conversations. You don’t have to educate everyone or respond to every misconception. If someone makes a harmful comment, you can decide whether to engage or walk away. For example, you might say, “I’d rather not discuss my diagnosis right now. Let’s talk about something else.”
• Correct misinformation when you feel safe. If you choose to address a stereotype, keeping it simple and factual can be helpful. For example, you might say, “Psychotic disorders are medical conditions, just like diabetes or heart disease.”
• Find supportive people. Surround yourself with people who respect and support you. Peer support groups, online communities, or trusted friends can help you process experiences with stigma.
• Focus on your strengths. A diagnosis doesn’t define your worth. Remind yourself of your skills, passions, and accomplishments. If self-doubt creeps in, try to reframe your thoughts. For example, replace, “People will always see me as broken,” with, “I’m more than my diagnosis, and I deserve respect.”
• Advocate in a way that feels right for you. Some people find meaning in sharing their story, while others prefer to challenge stigma in smaller ways, like supporting mental health initiatives. Do what feels comfortable for you. 

Additionally, therapy can help you cope with stigma, build confidence, and find support from someone who understands psychosis. You don’t have to face it alone.

Find care with Rula

Stigma can make it harder to seek help, but psychosis is a sign of a mental health condition, not a failure. Setting boundaries, educating others, and focusing on your strengths can help. Support is available, and therapy can provide tools to navigate challenges. Remember: You’re not alone.

At Rula, we’re committed to delivering a comprehensive behavioral health experience that helps people feel seen and understood so they can get back to feeling their best. 

Rula makes it easier to find a licensed therapist or psychiatric provider who accepts your insurance so you don’t have to choose between affordable care and excellent care. With a diverse network of more than 15,000 providers, 24/7 crisis support, and appointments available as soon as tomorrow, we’re here to help you make progress — wherever you are on your mental health journey.

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