On October 20, 2015, an article appeared in the New York Times called “New Approach Advised to Treat Schizophrenia.” The article summarizes results from an NIH-funded study, the results of which were published in the official journal of the American Psychiatric Association: The American Journal of Psychiatry. The lead author Dr. John Kane said: “Schizophrenia […]
Are psychiatric medications different from all other medications?
Some people are off to see the doctor to be treated for any disease, except for mine. Unfortunately, many people believe my brain disease is a special case. My brain disease is not the only medical condition that has been seen as a “special case” in the recent history of medicine. In the past, many […]
Experiencing Schizophrenia: Mental or Physical?
Is schizophrenia a mental or physical illness? By definition, schizophrenia is a disease of the brain. It is both a mental illness and a physical illness. This distinction is not made with other diseases of the brain, such as Parkinson’s Disease and Alzheimer’s Disease. It is also not made with brain tumors. Patients with these […]
Experiencing Schizophrenia: Violence
Frequently, I am asked about the relationship between schizophrenia and violence. Unfortunately, the media sensationalizes the mentally ill, often inaccurately portraying them as a threat. The reality is that being killed by a crazed stranger is less likely than dying in an earthquake, drowning in a bathtub, or being killed in a plane crash (1). […]
The Homeless Experience: Givers and Takers
As I interact with the homeless and formerly homeless, I find there is a certain stigma that I have always felt, but had difficulty expressing in words. There are so many “fake” homeless people who have muddied society’s whole perception of the homeless. The truth is that not all of the homeless are fake. Many […]
Experiencing Schizophrenia: Diagnosis
When I look back to the time when I was diagnosed with schizophrenia, I consider it to be both one of the worst times in my life, and also the time I am most grateful for. Being diagnosed with a mental illness, especially schizophrenia, can feel embarrassing. The fact that I had schizophrenia did not […]
A New Violin
Through the years, performing as a violinist has been one of the highlights of my life. At age seven, I had my first lesson. By age nine, my parents engaged a more talented teacher, who happened to be from Czechoslovakia. Every Saturday morning, my mom or dad would drive me from our suburb to her […]
Experiencing Schizophrenia: Labels
Many people with schizophrenia are especially careful to refer to themselves as persons “with schizophrenia,” and never “schizophrenic.” But even the term “schizophrenia” is associated with a great deal of stigma. Since 2007, the diagnosis “mentally retarded and developmentally disabled” (MRDD) has changed to “intellectually and developmentally disabled” (IDD) or simply “developmentally disabled” in many […]
Experiencing Schizophrenia: God
It is widely known that many patients suffering from mental illness become confused about God. Some experience delusions where they believe they are prophets or gods (or other people). I am friends with a bipolar university student who believed he was Jesus before beginning treatment. Today, on medication, he is scoring high grades and […]
The Homeless Experience: A Revolving Door
During my first incarceration, in October of 2006, I was severely mentally ill. After being arrested for trespassing and jailed, I found myself with about thirty other women, locked in a pitch-dark room. Hours went by where we were moved from room to room, many without any light. There was no toothbrush or shower. Through […]
