Cestou necestou aneb Příběhy psychotických duší – Malá Michaela (2024)

Author collective: Malá Michaela, Možný Petr, Bankovská Motlová Lucie, Mičolová Dana ***** Although mental illnesses are slowly becoming less taboo, a number of prejudices about these conditions and the people who experience them still persist. While patients with stomach ulcers or those recovering from heart surgery speak openly about their health, people with psychosis do so rather rarely – they fear judgment, labeling, mockery, and exclusion from society. ***** Conversations with those who have come out of their shells and can openly talk about their illness, its course, and life with it are a step towards destigmatizing individuals with mental illness. It may surprise us that these are people from all social groups, with various talents, often with specific interests; we might also be surprised that they start families and live fulfilled and vibrant lives that are not much different from ours – until a bout of illness intervenes. However, it can be managed with the help of a good doctor, medication, and psychotherapy, as evidenced by all eight stories. ***** May this book serve as a mirror to those who do not know, and as motivation for treatment, hope, and inspiration for those who do know.