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Living with unusual experiences

The impact

How to approach unusual experiences is often down to the impact that they have for each person. It’s important to realise that most people, most of the time are able to make sense of and integrate their experiences, although this can take varying lengths of time and types of support.

Different people have different quantities and qualities of unusual experiences as evidenced from the wide range of unusual experiences people can have. If a person is having frequent unpleasant experiences they are likely to need some degree of additional support beyond their current social support network. Equally, if someone has one or two pleasant experiences they may well be able to manage this themselves or within their social support network. People will not necessarily fall neatly into one of those two scenarios, often it is more of a mixture and the path through it will involve differing levels of support depending on how the person is doing over a longer period of time.

There are ways of managing the impact of unusual experiences, this page explores some of the types of support available and some ideas for living with it.

Types of support

  • Using your current support network: although you may find that your friends and family don’t seem to understand they can still provide a significant amount of support. Consider what you need and see what they can do to help meet those needs, this might be enough for you.
  • Peer support groups: finding a peer group who are like minded or who have had the same or similar experiences to you can be invaluable. Connecting with others who ‘get it’ can be validating and empowering. It also allows you to share in a way that can help others in the group which feels rewarding.
  • Spiritual or religious communities: if your experiences fit well with a spiritual or religious framework, seeking support from the most fitting community can be very helpful. You may also find individuals that can guide you through the experiences in a structured way.
  • Counselling or psychological therapy: having a confidential, supportive space to talk about your experiences can be healing. There are a wide range of therapies and counsellors and it’s important to find the style or person who resonates with you best. This can enable you to learn more about yourself, your experiences and what tools and strategies are helpful for you.
  • Community mental health services: if you feel that you are struggling with your mental health it may be helpful to see your GP who can refer you to community mental health services. They can offer support, access to some therapies, medication and crisis services if needed.

Living with unusual experiences

Learn to your benefit:

Information about all the unusual experiences mentioned in this course is freely available in differing depths and various formats, books, podcasts, videos, articles, etc. Keep learning about your experiences and follow the information that resonates with you.

Is there an answer?

Does it define you?

Identifying yourself based on your unusual experiences can feel validating and empowering. However, if this becomes your entire identity it can be problematic! Diagnostic labels associated with unusual experiences can be both beneficial and detrimental. For some they provide a useful paradigm that helps them move forward. However, for others it can be like a prison from which they struggle to escape.

Being curious:

Trying to approach unusual experiences with curiosity and being open minded about them may limit the potential suffering associated with them. Sometimes the problem isn’t the experiences themselves but the way we relate to them!

Other topics in this course:

  • Explaining Unusual Experiences.
  • Treatment & Self-help.

Consider more:

    1. What impact do unusual experiences have on you?
    2. Have any of the ideas above given you food for thought?
    3. Do you want to learn more about ways of explaining unusual experiences?