I have schizophrenia. I do not kill people at random, nor do I think about it (contrary to what the papers always seem to imply) I am tired of my illness being confused with sociopath. Seriously people, it’s 2013. I am a professional, and with the proper meds, and support (can’t begin on how terrible we are as a society for providing that!) people can lead a completely healthy and happy lifestyle. I am not alone, I know people who are teachers, authors, and artists who suffer from this illness – and we are kept silent because of the stigma that follows (thank you over exaggerated news pieces.) Unfortunately, because of this – less than 1% of health care goes to helping people with mental illnesses. I think it’s time to set stigmas aside – and see it for what it really is- and let the discrimination stop. If you commit a crime, having a mental illness that is properly treated, is as relevant to your actions as if you were a vegetarian. Also – a side note before we go taking the point of few of doctors in the media – a doctor from Europe who specializes in mental illnesses, and promoting good health, lending the stigmas – called the maritimes methods, and treatment of their patients “barbaric.” We are far behind the times. Time to change.
—You’d be surprised how many people you know have this.
This article appears in Jun 6-12, 2013.
all the decent doctors are going to provinces and countries that don’t suck.
I plan to do the same.
I suggest you consider doing this also.
Schizophrenia is not alone in this struggle. There are many types of mental illnesses that need to shed their negative stigmas.
Fuck right off on this. Whats next, all nazi’s weren’t evil. Crazy fuck.
Actually blip, some Nazi’s probably weren’t evil. Some were probably good people with a wife and kids, but they just happened to get caught up in the pride of fighting for one’s country, the propaganda of war and the evil, twisted ideals of one man.
John Rabe – an engineer with Seimens in Nanking in 1937. During the 6 week rampage perpetrated by troops of the Imperial Japanese Army known as “The Rape of Nanking” Rabe used his postion as both a German citizen and as head of the local branch of the Nazi Party among expatriate Germans to protect and shelter Chinese citizens, to browbeat Japanese officers into preventing killing and to record and document Japanese atrocities, which he then reported to the Reich foreign ministry, sure in the knowledge that Der Fuhrer would be as repulsed as he was.
When he returned to Germany he was extensively interviewed by the Gestapo and told to keep quiet about what he had witnessed. his story features prominently in Iris Changs superb book:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Rape_of_N…)
Some schizophrenics are murderers, and the problem lies with the administering of meds. Some people will recognize the need to take them, and some won’t.
Thing is, OB. Nobody wants to take responsibility for being murderer or a rapist, a thief, a drug addict, etc… Everyone feels more comfortable when they think that some sort of mental illness is to blame for the crazy shit people do. It’s not the mental health practitioners you should have disdain for, it’s lawyers!!!
The people who matter to you will know you as a person, not a schizophrenic. So don’t let shit bother you.
How many jokes are there that begin with “two cancer patients walk into a bar…”?
In other words to the general public those with mental illness are poked fun at,while if a cancer patient was poked fun at people would be disgusted.
How many jokes start with “Two schizophrenics walk into a bar”? Besides, it would most likely go like this, “A priest, a construction worker, a cowboy, and a balerina walk into a bar, and the bartender says ‘What will you have, sir?’ “.
Two schizophrenics walk into a bar. The bartender says “what can I get for you four?” The schizophrenics reply “there’s only two of us!” The bartender says “that’s okay, I’m not really a bartender, more a product of some paranoid delusion.” “That’s not funny” say the schizophrenics. “I’ll tell you what is funny” says the bartender “you’re actually in a laundromat.”
Was that funny? Absolutely not but it does show a little of what schizophrenia can be like if not treated. Things or people that may or may not be there and the perception of meanings and places can constantly change leaving the afflicted completely ungrounded. I’m not schizophrenic myself but I do know a few people who are. It can be a crippling thing to deal with. Sort of like living the movie “Inception”.
I heard that’s a good flick..I’d like to see that movie.
Crock, you’ll be wondering “Am I watching this movie or am I dreaming that I’m watching this movie?” Excuse me I have to go and spin a jack.
I love my schizophrenic sister-in-law, but hate when she loses reality because she won’t take her meds.
You see, she then tells her son that he was born with a cleft lip and palette because his father was sleeping with animals. Yeah… her 10 year old son who doesn’t realize that 1) that didn’t happen; 2) she’s out of her mind; and, 3) he was probably born that way as a result of the medication SHE was on during her pregnancy
I also hate when I call police, mental health, doctors, etc to have her helped and they refuse because the law won’t allow them to help her.
I’ve mostly forgiven the two schizophrenic guys who killed three member of my community. Mostly…
But all this takes time; not unlike the time to will take to change things so you don’t have to feel the way you feel OB.
I hope it will be in sufficient time so that my nephew doesn’t have to go through that kind of abuse any further…
This didn’t really help your case as I’m sure the majority of us grew up having seen it at least a few times….
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2gbgmOnrE7s
Much more public education is needed surrounding mental illness. I feel for you OB because I know that there are some supports when you are a kid with mental illness but once you hit adulthood those supports are gone. I find it interesting that so many people are aware of schizophrenia as a mental illness (however their ideas of what it actually is are generally skewed) but they know much less about other forms of mental illness which are actually much more common. Anyways, my point it that mental health in NS is garbage and I am happy to hear that you are fortunate enough to have found a balance in your meds and support. High fives to you!