The lens of emotion
Our perception of the world is strongly influenced by our emotions. When we are afraid, the world can seem threatening; objects and situations can come across as more dangerous or hostile than they really are. This can open the door to paranoia. When we feel low, we can see the world as hopeless and falling apart, with every negative event feeling as if it presses directly on our shoulders. On the other hand, when we feel euphoric or ecstatic, everything seems possible and we can feel that we are on a divine mission.
These emotional states are natural variations of our mind. They strongly influence how we give meaning and colour to our surroundings. This is especially relevant when we talk about psychosis.
Psychosis and meaning
Psychosis can be seen as an extreme expression of the influence of emotions on our perception of reality. People who experience psychosis are often in a state in which their emotions are intensely interwoven with their perception of the world around them. This can lead to unique and sometimes disturbing interpretations of their surroundings, in which the boundary between the ‘I’ and the outside world fades.
Understanding that psychosis arises from these deeply emotional experiences can help us to find more empathy and understanding. It helps to see the psychotic experience not only as a set of symptoms that have to be ‘treated‘, but as a complex, emotionally driven response of the mind to its surroundings.
The role of empathy
Empathy is crucial in approaching someone who is going through a psychosis. By acknowledging that the person’s experiences arise from their emotional state, we can connect better with their inner world. This does not mean that we have to regard their perceptions as factually correct, but it does mean that we try to understand how their emotions shape their perception.
The key to empathy lies in recognising that, just as our emotions give us tinted glasses through which we see the world, this can be even more intense for someone in a psychosis. It is through this lens that we can open the dialogue. Not by judging or trying to ‘correct’ their reality, but by listening and trying to understand what is being experienced.
Conclusion
Demystifying psychosis begins with acknowledging the deep emotional roots that drive the phenomenon. By approaching psychosis as an intensely emotional way of giving meaning to the world, we can arrive at more empathic and more effective support for those who go through it. This is not about reducing psychosis to emotions alone. It is about valuing the complexity and the humanity of the experience.
Prof. dr. Jim van Os, Chair Division Neuroscience, Utrecht University Medical Centre. Jim works at the interface of ‘hard’ brain science, health services research, art and subjective experiences of people with ‘lived experience’ in mental healthcare.
Jim has been appearing on the Thomson-Reuter Web of Science list of ‘most influential scientific minds of our time’ since 2014. In 2014 he published his book ‘Beyond DSM-5‘, and in 2016 the book ‘Good Mental Health Care’. In 2026 he published 'Wat psychisch lijden is'.
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Blogs by Jim van Os can be read here
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