Young carers Poppy and Rae have talked about their experiences of looking after their sister as part of a video project co-created by our early intervention in psychosis (EIP) team and Trust carers, to highlight the importance of carer voices.
Here is their story:
Poppy and Rae’s world was turned upside down when their sister was diagnosed with psychosis – but the teenagers are determined to be there for her.
“When you hear of psychosis, you think of psycho and like crazy, but my sister is not like that at all,” said Poppy.
“She’s been diagnosed for three years, and we understand it more now, and obviously we’ve learned to deal with it and accept it.”
Difficult times
When their sister was first diagnosed, her angry outbursts scared Rae – especially as the episodes could last for long periods.
Poppy and Rae also “felt a bit jealous” of the attention their sister was receiving but have learned to accept that she needs the extra support – and they now help out too.
“When she has mental breakdowns, we help her to calm down. She is very caring a lot of the time, it’s just when she gets angry she can’t stop it,” said Poppy.
“I do really want to help her. Overall, she’s got really better from all of us helping and all of us giving her that support that she needs.”
Carers need care too
Poppy, 15, suffers with anxiety, but spends her free time doing art and dancing, which helps to calm her down and gives her a sense of freedom.
Meanwhile Rae, 13, enjoys free-style disco dancing and reading, because “you can go into loads of different worlds”.
The pair also try to help their parents care for their sister as best as they can.
“My sister is a very caring and loving person once you know the limits to joking around with her and not winding her up too much,” said Rae.
“She’ll actually play really nicely with you and it’s nice to know she can do that instead of just shouting at you.”
Looking to the future
Poppy added: “I just want people to know that a person with psychosis, the way they’re feeling sometimes, is just not nice. I want people to understand and help.
“If people are given the right help, they can become better and they are lovely people. They’re just like everyone else.”
- Watch Poppy and Rae’s video of their experience as young carers and look out for the final EIP carer video tomorrow.
