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

[Former-Member]

thanks so much everyone I have tears running down my face

@Zam @Queenie @Hannah93 hope I havent left anyone out

to know that you all can remember some of our help brings such hope and to hear that it gave you all hope at times melts my heart xx

yes I totally understand that you also would be pushing people away as well, with everything so busy in your mind and so much happening, bewildering.

you are all brilliant, so brave

thank you all for answering questions

The biggest discovery for me has been that when I patiently listen I sometimes get to talk to my son and sometimes he asks about me...cant put a price on that

[NikNik]

Okay I have a question for everyone - some people have already brought it up -

Have you experienced stigma? How did you manage it?

[Hannah93]

If you were explaining your experience with schizophrenia to someone, how would you describe it?

@NikNik For me, I just get into this constant state of intense fear... like everything is a source of danger. My mind plays so many tricks on me and it's so hard to know what's real.

[Phoenix_Rising]

@Former-Member you sound like a super awesome mum.

[Former-Member]

Have you experienced stigma? How did you manage it?

Yes, but mostly I keep my MI to myself, don't tell people. I've lost friends becasue of my illness, lost jobs because of my illness and the best help I ever got was a MH worker who acted as my advocate in a work situation. I managed to keep my job (well for a while) but the stigma remained and I was outcast a bit by my colleagues. I ended up leaving and starting afresh. Lost my next job as I got sick again but since then I've managed to hold down a good job for 11 years even with episodes in between times. People fear what they don't understand I guess.

[Former-Member]

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@Hannah93 wrote:
If you were explaining your experience with schizophrenia to someone, how would you describe it?

@NikNik For me, I just get into this constant state of intense fear... like everything is a source of danger. My mind plays so many tricks on me and it's so hard to know what's real.

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@Hannah93 @NikNik

do you mind if I ask if you have that reaction now after a period of time on medication?

[Shaz51]

you are a super awesome mum @Former-Member xx

[Sanefan]

I feel strongly that stigma can 'branch off', so to speak, amongst Carers. For example, it has been said to me, "Oh, but my son/daughter has plain old Schizophrenia, and no illicit drugs were involved". I still think of this everyday!

With permission from tonight's facilitators, may I recommend a fabulous and empowering youtube video I saw a couple of nights ago that helps to debunk this as a JUDGEMENT!. Due to perceived and learned shame, another stigma is born through the misunderstanding of communities, family, friends, doctors etc, When understanding and help is denied early on, I can clearly understand why anyone with an undiagnosed mental health condition then falls into the crevaces and self medicates.  (hope this makes sense!)

http://theunboundedspirit.com/drugs-dont-cause-addiction-this-short-animated-video-will-change-your-...

[Former-Member]

hello @Phoenix_Rising

thank you

..i love him to bits.. schizophrenia..paranoia ... doesnt change the depth of love

[Queenie]

Interesting question @NikNik....

I have been on the receiving end of stigma from a wide variety of sources, even from my Father and his family. The worst stigma I have ever seen was when I lost my job with a government organisation. The organisation decided, despite a glowing performance appraisal, that once a diagnosis of schizophrenia was known to them, that my services were no longer required and I was forced to resign under. Had I been aware that this was illegal under antidiscrimination laws, I would have fought to keep my job. Alas that was 10 years ago now.