Beyond the jokes: Samay Raina and the reality of psychosis

While in the US, Samay Raina experienced a psychosis episode after finding out about the FIRs against him. His decision to open up about the experience has started a wider conversation about the condition.

In Short

• In a YouTube special, Samay Raina reflected on what he went through during the India’s Got Latent controversy
• He opened up about experiencing a psychosis episode
• If you have a similar experience, you need to first stay calm and ground yourself

Comedian Samay Raina has had a difficult few months following the controversy around his show India's Got Latent, and he recently released a YouTube special Still Alive, reflecting on everything he went through during that time and more. As expected, several clips from the set have gone viral on social media.

But if you watch the special in full, the emotional weight of that phase becomes clear. Raina opens up about dealing with intense anxiety and recounts a particularly distressing moment when he learnt that three FIRs had been filed against him overnight. He shares that he experienced a psychosis episode soon after, something he describes as one of the worst states to be in.

He recalls hallucinating and struggling to distinguish between what was real and what wasn't. In a bid to ground himself, he kept touching objects around him, trying to understand whether he was dreaming or awake.

Raina eventually came out of that episode and is now able to speak about it publicly, even finding moments of humour in hindsight. But what he experienced was deeply serious, and a reminder that such mental health episodes can happen to anyone. Which is why it is vital to understand...

What psychosis actually is

Dr Sharadhi C, consultant in psychiatry at Aster CMI Hospital, Bengaluru, tells India Today that psychosis is a mental condition where a person loses touch with reality and may find it hard to tell what is real and what is not.

During a psychosis episode, a person may hear voices others cannot hear, see things that are not there, or strongly believe things that are not true. They may feel confused or scared, speak in a way that is difficult to follow, or behave unusually. They might also withdraw from people around them, struggle to focus, and may not realise they need help, which can make everyday life difficult.

The doctor further explains that this condition can sometimes be triggered by severe anxiety, especially when a person experiences intense stress, fear, or panic over a long period.

"High levels of anxiety can overwhelm the brain and affect how a person thinks and perceives reality."

In some cases, this may lead to symptoms like confusion, suspicious thoughts, or even mild hallucinations. However, the expert mentions that anxiety alone does not usually cause psychosis in most people.

How to understand what's happening to you

According to Dr Ashutosh Shah, consultant in psychiatry at Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital, Mumbai, signs of a psychosis episode can include uncontrollably racing thoughts, a strong sense that something is "off," believing things that feel true but seem unusual to others, or losing track of time or location.

You may also notice sudden changes in your thoughts, feelings, and behaviour. This could look like feeling unusually suspicious or fearful without a clear reason, having confused or jumbled thinking, struggling to focus or speak clearly, or withdrawing from family and friends.

At times, you may also feel disconnected from reality, as if things around you don't feel quite real.

If you experience a psychosis episode in public

According to experts, if you experience a psychosis episode in public, try to move to a quiet and safe place and focus on calming yourself with slow, deep breaths.

If possible, stay with or reach out to a trusted person for support. Instead of arguing with your thoughts or voices, shift your attention to simple, grounding actions like noticing your surroundings or holding a familiar object.

And, if you feel overwhelmed or unsafe, do not hesitate to ask for help from someone nearby.

Meanwhile, the experts also suggest seeking help as soon as you notice early signs of psychosis. If these symptoms last more than a few days, become intense, or affect daily life, it's important to get medical support.

Helping in the moment

Now, if you see someone experiencing a psychosis episode, Dr Sharadhi advises staying calm and speaking to them in a gentle, simple way.

Avoid arguing or telling them their thoughts are wrong. Give them space, but do not leave them alone if they seem unsafe. If possible, guide them to a quieter place and try to contact a family member or someone they trust.

At the same time, make sure you and others around are safe. If the person appears very distressed, confused, or at risk of harm, seek immediate medical help or call emergency services.

So, you had an episode. What next?

Dr Shah advises seeing a qualified medical professional as soon as possible. Even if it was a one-time episode, it is important to understand what caused it and how to prevent it from happening again.

After the episode, follow your treatment, get enough rest, manage stress, and stay connected with loved ones. Watch for early signs and seek help if they return.

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