I assume from what I have read, heard, and watched in movies and on television, that most people when they hear the word schizophrenia, they think of a scary kind of madness – asylums, voices, violence, loners, and a whole lot of creepiness.
The image I would like to blast out to the world is the image of some of the people I have encountered with schizophrenia. There is Bethany who is writing and working on research to better the understanding of schizophrenia. There is Allie who works full time, goes to school, writes, and runs a nonprofit to fight the stigma against mental illness. There is Kevin who is an artist and working on a movie about schizophrenia and other projects. There is Michelle, who is an entrepreneur and has her own business trying to raise awareness of schizophrenia, and there is Esme, an award-winning writer, and of course, there is Elyn Saks.
Elyn Saks is the person most people hold up as a successful example of someone living a fulfilling life with schizophrenia. Many people who are not as famous as Elyn, but who have schizophrenia are living lives with jobs, relationships, paying the bills, running business meetings, going to class, speaking, writing, driving, grocery shopping, etc.
I would like to change what people think of when they hear the word schizophrenia. Instead of asylums, creepiness, loners, etc. I would like people to imagine an everyday person with challenges that might be a little different than the next person’s but with the same hopes, dreams, and desires.
Many people talk about the appropriation of identity and culture. In simple terms, that means, profiting off of someone else’s culture, story, etc. I used to get angry and frustrated when I would see, or read about people without schizophrenia telling or sharing the story of someone with schizophrenia. I felt as if people with schizophrenia are creative and capable of telling our stories without others doing it for us. I no longer feel that way, though.
I would like to see more movies and books with characters who have schizophrenia, but I would like to see those characters normalized instead of stereotyped or sensationalized. I think that is the way the number one way to kick stigma by making schizophrenia commonplace and showing our similarities to others rather than our differences.
Rebecca, I love this post. You are the one to get this word out. Keep writing…keep sharing!! xo
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Thank you!
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Well said!!! Every time I state to someone (when appropriate) that my 23 year old son has Schizophrenia (technically Schizoaffective disorder), I start out immediately stating he is gentle. I do that to combat the horrible stereotypes out there. I feel I have to lead with so many positive words about the disease before I talk about my son as a person which absolutely annoys me. I have to do it this way, because the facial expressions are of dismay. It is a constant battle. As a caregiver, I do understand that my sons story is his story to tell. However, as a parent the common questions from those who are not aware of his brain disease ask how he is, where he is, did he finish college, where is he working and so on. It is like I need to be armored up for battle to handle all the questions, followed by awkward silence, and blank stares.
What I find most interesting is when people ask about my son and I state he has a brain disease, it is often met with empathy. When I state the word Schizophrenia (not saying brain disease first) it is often taken differently. It should not be. It is because of this that I fight a tireless battle on behalf of my son.
I state to most people in passing when appropriate that he has Schizophrenia over stating Schizoaffective Disorder, because society is so uneducated that I lose them in explanation. None of this is easy to explain and that is frustrating. I wish I did not have to explain or over-explain and everyone just accepted!
I enjoy reading when you write of all those who are successful (each in their own way) living with Schizophrenia. It helps me to keep up the tireless fight on my end to combat the stigma. I did tell one very rude person when they asked, “what does he (my son) do all day?” I stated, “he survives, that is what he does.” They took a step back and apologized and realized how insensitive they were. This comment also came right before my sons last hospitalization. We need a sign that says, “Think people, think.”
Keep up the great work!
Diana F.
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Thank you so much and I know what you mean! 🙂
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I wish that my parents had your compassion rather than pushing me to “be normal”. You’re an amazing mum Diana and your son is blessed to have you
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I watched a series on Netflix – River – that I thought did a good job of portraying a “psychologically vulnerable” detective doing his job.
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I loved that show!
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I’ve been told I don’t “look” or “act” like I have some of the symptoms of Schizophrenia (diagnosed Schizoaffective, just as a reference). I know it’s because of these media portrayals and learned beliefs you mentioned, but it’s do frustrating. Totally with you.
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I’ve heard the same thing. Totally with you. 🙂
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Well in my case you wouldn’t know I had schizophrenia just to look at me.But I’m not afraid to tell people I have it.If they don’t talk to me afterward,that’s on them not me.That’s how I look at it.Fighting the stigma can be hard and tiresome sometimes.But i’s worth it.No one has ever asked me if I’m violent though.I’m not out to hurt anyone else.And I’m kind of tired of the media putting us in a bad light,people need to understand schizophrenia.
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I don’t think you can look at anyone and tell they have schizophrenia and that is what we hope people will learn.
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Amazing post!
We are just people with a disorder…just like someone with any other chronic illness we have to make adjustments in life but that doesn’t make us any less human than the next person [-_-]
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I agree!
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