Topic Tuesday // Living with Schizophrenia // 16 May 7 - 9 AEST

[ViperPixie]

Does anyone here have a family history of MI?

[Former-Member]

No family history here though I have a second degree relative with a mood disorder.

[Queenie]

yes @ViperPixie, MI runs rife through my family.

[Hannah93]

@ViperPixie

I have a strong family history on both sides of my family

[Shaz51]

yes @ViperPixie, MI runs rife through my husband`s  family.

[NikNik]

@Former-Member - I think that's a tough question for anyone to answer. There's lots of variables that could impact the answer - there's other therapies people go through while taking medication - so sometimes it can be hard to tell.
Also - even when people are on medication, there can be times when things get rough again - whether that be due to a life event (ie: something really stressful or traumatic).
I don't think there's an easy or consistent answer to that.
@Former-Member - I think it's so great that you're trying to broaden your understanding on this topic!

[Zam]

Have you experienced stigma? How did you manage it?

lots of it and mostly only from health care professionals.

i wrote on a post yesterday about home visits and being hospitalised just becuase i had the blinds down in the house and they thought i must be having a psychotic episode..

Also i cant look how i want without them in the past telling me well it looks like you are not taking care of yourself (because i have long hair and a beard, ohh and they said i look really thin) so you must be having a psychotic episode.

seems like to them, anything i do always has to be becuase of having schizophrenia.

How did i manage it? well at the time i didnt handle it so well becuase they would never listen and basically insult me, so it normally led to arguements. In the end i just stopped caring about their opinions and didnt let it bother me,despite the hassle of being sent to the hospital numerous times to check if i was still on medication

[Former-Member]

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@ViperPixie wrote:
Does anyone here have a family history of MI?

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hello @ViperPixie

yes I have major depression and anxiety

the depression has been with me on and off for most of my life, further exacerbated by life as we all know

I believe also that on my father's side of the family he had a younger brother who passed away at the age of 34, certificate stated reason unknown, my dad said he had struggled with drugs and alcohol. My dad also said that he was the only brother he had any time for.

[ViperPixie]

@Queenie how has ur family dealt with it if you don't mind me asking? The town that I'm from breeds an ability for people to "stick their heads in the sand" and talk about others in private but are very hesitant to help anyone even the medical professionals prefer not to get involved. This is probably why I'm a little reserved about my own MI even my own family has this same attitude to things MI or otherwise

[Hannah93]

Have you experienced stigma? How did you manage it?

@NikNik

I have experienced stigma directly and indirectly. I used to take it to heart, and it does still have an impact on me, but I now realise that it just comes from fear and a lack of understanding. That's why I'm so passionate about sharing my story now. 🙂