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how dismissive his dad was of his feelings of paranoia 

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how dismissive his dad was of his feelings of paranoia 

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Reflecting on Carl’s situation, it’s clear that his mental health began to decline after starting university, largely due to academic pressures. He found it hard to engage with the course content, particularly the heavy reading load, and this left him feeling overwhelmed and anxious. As he fell further behind, his frustration grew, which seemed to contribute to him disengaging from his studies altogether.

At the same time, Carl began using substances like alcohol and what was referred to as “strong stuff” (ikely cannabis) and there were also hints of caffeine misuse. It seemed like he was using these to cope with how he was feeling, but they ultimately made things worse. The substance use may have affected his ability to concentrate and potentially contributed to the development of psychosis, especially considering how vulnerable he already was.

Another important factor was how isolated he became. Carl didn’t accept help from his friends or anyone else, even though people were clearly worried about him. He completely withdrew and started to experience hallucinations and delusional thinking, but he ignored these early signs. It felt like he was trapped in his own head, unable or unwilling to let anyone in.

What really stood out to me was the difference it made when his mum approached him in a calm, non-judgmental way. Rather than putting pressure on him, she let him know she was there if he needed her. That simple reassurance made a real difference - it was only then that Carl began to open up and accept support. This really shows how important it is to take a compassionate, patient approach when supporting someone going through something like this.

A few of the comments also mentioned that Carl might have a family history of psychosis, and that some of his symptoms (like seeing patterns in things and interpreting hidden meanings ) are quite typical in early stages of psychosis. Altogether, his story highlights how academic stress, isolation, and substance misuse can all build up and lead to a serious mental health crisis, but also how supportive, non-judgmental care can make a big difference in helping someone turn things around.

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Reflecting on Carl’s situation, it’s clear that his mental health began to decline after starting university, largely due to academic pressures. He found it hard to engage with the course content, particularly the heavy reading load, and this left him feeling overwhelmed and anxious. As he fell further behind, his frustration grew, which seemed to contribute to him disengaging from his studies altogether.

At the same time, Carl began using substances like alcohol and what was referred to as “strong stuff” (ikely cannabis) and there were also hints of caffeine misuse. It seemed like he was using these to cope with how he was feeling, but they ultimately made things worse. The substance use may have affected his ability to concentrate and potentially contributed to the development of psychosis, especially considering how vulnerable he already was.

Another important factor was how isolated he became. Carl didn’t accept help from his friends or anyone else, even though people were clearly worried about him. He completely withdrew and started to experience hallucinations and delusional thinking, but he ignored these early signs. It felt like he was trapped in his own head, unable or unwilling to let anyone in.

What really stood out to me was the difference it made when his mum approached him in a calm, non-judgmental way. Rather than putting pressure on him, she let him know she was there if he needed her. That simple reassurance made a real difference - it was only then that Carl began to open up and accept support. This really shows how important it is to take a compassionate, patient approach when supporting someone going through something like this.

A few of the comments also mentioned that Carl might have a family history of psychosis, and that some of his symptoms (like seeing patterns in things and interpreting hidden meanings ) are quite typical in early stages of psychosis. Altogether, his story highlights how academic stress, isolation, and substance misuse can all build up and lead to a serious mental health crisis, but also how supportive, non-judgmental care can make a big difference in helping someone turn things around.

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Hinders,

Talking about him as if he’s not there, pushing him to talk, telling him he’s got psychosis, trying to force him to understand that everything is ‘just in his head’

Helps,

Allowing him to take his time in opening up, offering him opportunities to engage without pressure to do so, active listening, being there when needed.

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Fear, paranoia, anger, aggression,

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Friction between the parents. Mum being more sympathetic. Dad not sympathetic at all. Domino effect causing high levels of tension in the whole family.

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his dad didnt understand how he was feeling and what he is going through .

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his dad didnt understand how he was feeling and what he is going through .

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Hallucinations

Anxiety

Paranoia

Not eating

Aggressive behaviours

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Helps

mum contacting early intervention team

Understanding that something is wrong but not being too pushy

Not being judgemental

Friends trying to bring back some normality

Talking and meeting up with friends

Hinders

dad dismissing his feelings and suggesting that he’s lazy and should just get a job

Pushing carl to speak when he is not comfortable yet

Saying that he has psychosis in an environment in which he can hear which led to him getting aggressive

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Hallucinations

Hearing voices

Anxiety

Paranoia

Insomnia

Aggressive behaviour

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Carl was experiencing something that was real to him (voices, tasks etc). Mum and friend Claire notice something is wrong and try to help, Dad was dismissive at first maybe due to old views of mental health issues being dismissed.

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Dad dismissing his feelings and saying he needs to just get a job

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People being jugemental and saying there is something wrong with him

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Constant ringing sound in head whilst at the doctors

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delusions

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Hallucinations

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Hearing voices

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Paranoia

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Friends getting him out of the house, having normal conversations, being openly able to talk about what he is experiencing with people listening and not judging, not telling him there is something wrong with him

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Friends trying to help by getting him out and talking to him normally, being reassuring and talking through what he's going through

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Mum knows something is wrong and tries to understand and intervene with early intervention team

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Judgemental dad, dismisses son's feelings

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Paranoia

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Please watch this next film which is 15 mins. Make comments beneath this post about anything you else you notice and understand from watching this 2nd clip. 

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Please watch this next film which is 15 mins. Make comments beneath this post about anything you else you notice and understand from watching this 2nd clip. 

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What was helping Carl? Make comments beneath this post.

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What was helping Carl? Make comments beneath this post.

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What symptoms of psychosis did you notice during the film? Make comments beneath this post.

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What symptoms of psychosis did you notice during the film? Make comments beneath this post.

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Please watch the film (22mins) by clicking on the link and answering the various posts I have uploaded. 

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Please watch the film (22mins) by clicking on the link and answering the various posts I have uploaded. 

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What stressful life events do you notice when watching Carl? Make comments beneath this post.

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What stressful life events do you notice when watching Carl? Make comments beneath this post.

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What factors are contributing to Carl becoming unwell? Make comments beneath this post.

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What factors are contributing to Carl becoming unwell? Make comments beneath this post.

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What was hindering Carl? Make comments beneath this post. 

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What was hindering Carl? Make comments beneath this post. 

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What possible early signs / changes in Carl's thoughts, feelings and behaviour do you notice? Make comments beneath this post.  

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What possible early signs / changes in Carl's thoughts, feelings and behaviour do you notice? Make comments beneath this post.  