ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the perspectives of two nurse academics with decades of clinical experience, as well as a student nurse who has personally experienced psychosis. Hallucinations are perception like experiences that occur without an external stimulus. They are vivid and clear, with the full force and impact of normal perceptions, and not under voluntary control. Interpersonal approaches emphasize the importance of therapeutic, trusting relationships in the primary intervention. Developing interpersonal relationships is an important aspect of the craft of caring, because it is within these relationships that therapeutic progress can be made. A nurse case manager worked with a particular client for 3 years during which the client had several relapses. The nurse case manager and client were able to establish that the early signs of trouble were finding that his food seemed to have a metallic taste. Understanding psychosis is an essential part of caring for clients who experience it, and there are many reasons why people experience psychosis.
