In Sacramento, sleeping outside is illegal now, punishable by a $1,000 fine and six months in jail. See: Debunking Five Myths About Sacramento’s Latest Homelessness Debate From the article: “City code 12.52.030 prohibits camping on any public or private property—so, everywhere—unless it’s for temporary recreation or events. In other words, it’s OK to sleep outside […]
College Students and Mental Illness
Because mental illness often emerges in the early to mid-twenties, it will always affect college students. The key for parents, university staff and university faculty is to be aware that mental illness can develop in anyone during this time of life, even students who may seem to be the most unlikely. When I began my […]
Mental Illness and Substance Abuse
Over the last few years, I’ve met both medical professionals and psychiatric patients who encouraged me to write about the relationship between mental illness and substance abuse. Since I never abused drugs or alcohol myself, I have been reluctant to write about this topic. However, unfair assumptions and myths surrounding mental illness and substance abuse […]
Side Effects of Medication
People who are diagnosed with schizophrenia often struggle with prescribed medications. Some patients stop taking their medications because they are simply forgetful, while others discontinue it for more complex reasons. Initially, I refused to take medication because I did not think I was ill. I thought that I was strong and could control myself without […]
Healing from Psychiatric Illness
Throughout all of my mental illness and recovery, I have never had much interest in psychiatry. A doctor once suggested that I describe my dreams to a psychoanalyst, with hopes that this would aid my recovery, as it had for others. Doubtful about its effectiveness for me, I never pursued this. Dreams are a neurobiological […]
The Importance of Psychotherapy in Schizophrenia: A Personal Account
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 […]
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 […]
The Mentally Ill Are Not Dangerous.
This article will be available soon. Thank you for visiting my blog!
My International Friends in Cincinnati
Today, as I celebrate nearly seven years of good health, and a productive life, I find myself grateful for my friendships with a few special international students. This young woman is a college student from a part Nairobi, Kenya, Africa, where I lived in 2002. We met just this fall, 2014. I’ve enjoyed talking with her, […]
