[xpllmr]

Your question is not ignorant and is rather thoughtful in my POV.

At first experiencing and trying to understanding my illness, I was very scared about having a psychotic episode while practicing. This was not and is not the case for the following reasons.

I am under medical care. With monitoring by qualified physicians, I am able to be treaded and lead a normal life. With this support system, you will not have a psychosis and be able to stem on off if one should start. A psychosis, like a heart attack, usually doesn't happen overnight and there are warning signs.

Next, a healthy bad-stress free life makes the monitoring and medications easier.

Last and most important. Your instructor should know your condition. To me a Dojo is a part of my support system and they can assist and determine if things aren't right. Like in my case, I shouldn't get push ups for correction but quiet meditation... etc.

I leave it up to the dojo's judgment to tell my condition to other students or not. I not sure, but I think this is a private thing and needs permission of the disabled person.

If I say I'm not feeling good, they will make accommodations similar to if you show up with a sprained ankle. If I'm in trouble, they will know and call paramedics because my condition is disclosed. If the dojo does not know symptoms of mental illness there is plenty of information on the NAMI website to offer assistance with this disability.

Today, I have no worries about psychosis. Even though a terrifying experience for everyone involved (family, friends, etc), I have the knowledge and the care now to prevent this form of 'brain attack' again. This in no means say I won't get symptoms.

Symptoms, I know about, and take great care of to nip them in the bud. If it means I have to take a three month hiatus from the dojo to change medications and improve my mental health. So be it. This part of the illness is similar to diabetes. And makes practicing difficult, but I'm in no rush for belts. I have a lifetime for belts.

Personally, I wouldn't worry about psychosis from a diagnosed patient who's under care. It happens to the undiagnosed and those that refuse care. Unfortunately, most people have little emergency/symptom knowledge for such a condition, and the attack can be extreme due to that. Most major illnesses are like that.

Thanks. A good question, and a lengthy response to answer.
Danette