Psychotic Psychic?

[Davey Do]

This past morning I was helping out on the Adult Unit, where I rarely work nowadays, when an Interesting Situation occurred: I asked a Patient their name and introduced myself. The Patient said something like, "You look like a Cartoon Character. I can't think of which one". I told the Patient that that was a very interesting observation to make, since, years ago, I did some work as a Street Cartoonist and, at that time, also had some of my Cartoons published.

This situation set me to thinking. I have experienced SEVERAL situations in which Mentally Ill, and sometimes Psychotic, Patients and Clients have made astute and sometimes clairvoyant statements and observations having to do with me.

Have any of you who work with the Mentally Ill ever experienced any similar phenomena?

[algebra_demystified]

Nope.

[morte, LPN, LVN]

two dementia patients, recently, one reassured a cna that his brother was fine (house had flooded) another told a nurse that her home situation would get better, that she (the patient) had gone thru it too. scared the first person silly, and reassured the second.

[Rnrpnwannabe]

That is interesting.

[Isastorm]

I had a patient read my thoughts, or so it seemed at the time. I sat down next to him in the morning and noticed that he had brushed his hair. I thought (in my head) 'he brushed his hair it looks really nice' and as soon as those words ran through my mind the patient started mumbling under his breath (he would do this throughout the day) 'she's sitting there thinking, well (insert patient's name) you brushed your hair and it looks real nice.' I said, Yes your hair does look nice.' at the time it spooked me a bit especially when later the MD was interviewing a patient to assess him for psychosis and one of the questions was 'do you ever think people can read your mind?' :)

I decided that I think a part of mental illness may cause some to be acutely, maybe too acutely, aware of cues and expressions that usually pass right over most people's heads. (or maybe some people can read my mind!) I like to think about these sort of things both in a scientific and magical way...but I try to keep the magical thinking type stuff hush hush when I'm at work cause I definitely don't want a bed at our facility!

[amoLucia]

We can't PROVE some things exist; but we can't DISPROVE either!!

Kind of like aliens & Bigfoot!

[macfar28]

Yes I do believe there is a sixth sense for lack of a better description. About 10 years ago we had a patient successfully hang herself. Shortly after, while the room was still shut down and not in use, we had a psychotic patient who would go to this particular room, stand right up against the door (practially with her nose touching it!) and mumble a full blown conversation. No matter how many times she was redirected, she would always return and continue on with a conversation. Spooky to say the least. Could have been coincidental but there were other rooms locked and not in use but yet she always went to the particular room where the suicide occurred. Made us all wonder.

[Whispera, MSN, RN]

A few thoughts...

If a person can be psychic, why can't a psychotic person be psychic?

Just because we can't prove something, doesn't mean it's impossible.

Awhile back I had a patient who believe she could alter electricity flow. Is this that much different than believing one can alter the energy fields as in Reiki?

I try to be careful in judging people's beliefs. After all, they could be correct while I'm the one who doesn't get it...

[abbnurse]

I was assisting an MD with a GYN procedure once, and the patient (who was psychotic) was kind of thrashing around on the table even though she was sedated. While assisting the doctor, I was also holding the Pt.'s hand (she was gripping my hand tightly). Suddenly she became very calm and looked straight at me and said, "You know, I look at you, and I think.....I think.....you're an angel".

I have never forgotten her. It brought me to tears later!

[Davey Do]

Excellent Examples and Perspectives!

Well put, mcfar:

Yes I do believe there is a sixth sense for lack of a better description.

A few thoughts...

If a person can be psychic, why can't a psychotic person be psychic?

Just because we can't prove something, doesn't mean it's impossible.

I even wonder sometimes, Whispera, if the Psychosis is the Reason For or is a Caustive Factor Of the Psychic State?

I was assisting an MD with a GYN procedure once, and the patient (who was psychotic) was kind of thrashing around on the table even though she was sedated. While assisting the doctor, I was also holding the Pt.'s hand (she was gripping my hand tightly). Suddenly she became very calm and looked straight at me and said, "You know, I look at you, and I think.....I think.....you're an angel".

I have never forgotten her. It brought me to tears later!

Neat Story, abbnurse! Memorably Touching.

There was a Patient who I really "Liked". Now, I attempt to be Non-Biased in my Endeavors to Serve patients, but being Human, I allow myself to be an Emotional Being and have my So-Called "Favs". I felt a Certain Connection with this Schizophrenic Patient and this Patient has said a Couple of Things to me that said they Understood my Current Situation.

Both Situations occurred regarding my Ex.

I was in the Nurses Station chatting with a Couple of Coworkers and mentioned that I had just bought my Ex, then Wife, a New Car. I also mentioned that it had a Standard Transmission and I drove a Truck with a Standard Transmission.

Immediately after the Chat, I made a Round. As I approached the Patient's Room, at the end of the Hall, the Patient said, "You're not an Automatic Person". I just took this Statement as a Disorganized Verbalization of a Psychotic Individual and Smiled and Nodded to the Patient. Then, as I walked back up the Hall, the Loose Association Coin fell into the Slot! "Entertainingly Interesting", I thought.

Then sometimes later, perhaps Months, maybe even a Year later, this Particular Individual Patient was, once again, an In-Patient. I was going through a Separation with my Ex and the Situation was on my Mind. As I passed this Patient, sitting in the Hall reading a Bible, this Patient looked up at me and read Scripture. Even though I don't remember the Exact Reading, I felt a Sense of Peace come over me, as if the Patient Intuitively knew what I needed to Hear!

I realize that these Specific Incidences could be Merely Coincidental, or have some other Explanation for their Occurrence, but I found them Interesting.

I have Experienced Other Similar Situations, like these Two Examples- not Phenomenal- but "Interesting".

Thanks for you Posts!

[marydc]

Many years ago I was working nights and received a transfer from a medical floor. The man was in a very psychotic episode. He called me by my first name (I go by my middle name), knew how many children I had and where I went to grade school. I live in a small community about an hour from where I work. Occasionally I have a patient from there who knows me through my parents or husband, even though I don't know them. I assumed this was the case with this man.

I came back a few days later and he had completely recovered. His psychosis had been related to a medical issue. When he saw me he immediately gave me a hug and said: "I didn't think you were real!" He told me he remembered that night and believed he had died, was in heaven and that I was an angel. He had no connection whatsoever to me and had no idea how he knew those things about me. Still gives me chills!

[morte, LPN, LVN]

"I even wonder sometimes, Whispera, if the Psychosis is the Reason For or is a Caustive Factor Of the Psychic State?" Davey Do

Actually ,I think it goes the other way, at least sometimes. A person is unable to cope with their gift, or can't believe....therefore thinks themselves "crazy".