The Stigmatization of Schizophrenia

Stigma is something that comes up often in the discussion of mental health and mental illness, but it's often focused on addressing stigma around illnesses like depression and anxiety. In this video, we discuss stigma as it pertains to schizophrenia - where it comes from, and what can be done about it.

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#schizophrenia #schizoaffective #schizoaffectivedisorder #mentalhealth #mentalillness #stigma

[LivingWellAfterSchizophrenia]

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[theplaintruth]

One of the problems I have is that whenever I'm having a bad day, or am short with someone, they say "oh! someone's off her meds today!" This is why I just don't tell people about my illness, I can't, they use it against you at every turn. Every single time I forget something, or can't come in to work, "they" blame mental illness. People walk on egg shells, and if I have the slightest episode at work, I feel like I need to get another job as soon as possible to get away from that history. It's terrible. Oh yes, about the stigma and fear of being found out, I had SUBSCRIBED to your channel, but then UN-SUBBED, why? Because I didn't want anyone to see my sub list and see "Schizophrenia" in that list because of the potential "stigma" if they think it's part of my life. I hide my condition from everyone I can. Thankful that medical records are protected, and people can't ask if I have a mental health diagnosis or I'd never get hired in the first place.

[earthschool]

I cried when I got my schizophrenia diagnosis in 2017 but it did put into perspective my chaotic life and put to rest why I couldn't think clearly all my life why I did poorly school and why I am the way I am just different. I have been calling weird or 'you don't think right '. There right I don't think right because I have a mental illness called schizophrenia. I'm not dangerous. I'm not a monster. In fact I'm one of the nicest compassionate people you could ever meet. I just suffer from a serious mental condition of schizophrenia.

[cherrym]

When everyone found out I had a mental illness they all avoided me .I hate the stigma associated with mental illness 😢

[dankhill]

The way I felt when I was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder was I found this youtube channel and I was like this makes so much sense! and I felt sad. I'm glad I started taking my medicine, thank you for educating me on the topic of schizophrenia! You've been very helpful.

[nuiwai]

Stigma can be generational stigma. My great-grandmother suffered from mania in the 1920s and died in the mental hospital she was in. I think fear of mental illness has as a result been passed down. Experiencing family members stigmatising you, gas lighting you and when trauma behaviour is labelled as 'something'... so even without medical qualifications you are labelled. Thank you for making me less scared of mental health and really interested and im being educated. My heart goes out to everyone being stigmatised and feeling alone.

[desi]

The most amazing person that I have ever known has schizophrenia. This person has been the kindest, most giving and talented person as well. I always felt loved, safe and protected in their presence. I really miss them... I think they pushed me away because of their illness but I am not sure because they don't really communicate what is going on. I watch your channel to understand what they may have been going through and so I can learn how I can be supportive if they ever need me.

[missveronica]

My late uncle was diagnosed with schizophrenia a few years before he lost his battle with his mental health. He was very much scared of the stereotype of the dangerous "psychotic" schizophrenic, adding another fear to deal with, and making his mental health worse. Looking back at it now with the knowledge I have now, I think maybe we could have been able to get him better help and support, but it's no good to dwell on what might have been. I'm glad that I have this knowledge now, and that channels like this exist. Thank you for all you do ❤️

[betsywilliamsonms]

I am sorry to hear you got pushed out of your job. I have bipolar 2. I work part time in a restaurant. I am fortunate my managers know and are supportive. When I am in a mood episode I have bipolar rage and they work with me to manage that.
I agree that we need to de-stigmatize all mental health diagnosis. People are people everyone has unique characteristics and once you can recognize that it helps connect people rather than drive them apart.

[athoughtfulwillow]

There's no such thing as people who care. The more I read comments in my language on videos about schizophrenia, the more hopeless I become. How hard do I have to try in order to not be considered a murderer?

[deimosphoibus]

I am a writer and I found your channel as I was doing some research on how to portray a character with schizophrenia. At first I was afraid of including said character in my story, because I didn't want to come across as insensitive, but now I'm glad I went with it... I've watched several of your videos and now I feel like I understand the illness so much better. I hope I can make at least a small difference in dismistifying schizophrenia and mental illnesses with my stories and characters. Thank you for your videos, you are already making a big difference in the world!

[lordbeerus]

I'm not diagnosed with schizophrenia, instead I have a grocery list of mental illnesses I've been diagnosed with. But your videos really help me. I used to experience so many paranoid delusions and auditory hallucinations like "background chatter" before I was medicated, and sometimes the delusions still break through but I've gotten better at dismissing them. Thank you so much for making these videos. You have a beautiful soul and I wish you good health on your journey

[AprilKristel]

Where I live people often assume that you are a drug addict if you have schizoeffective disorder.
I ran from getting a diagnosis when I was younger then begged for help when it got really bad untreated as I got older.
If you stigmatize someone it can make them feel uncomfortable about getting help so please people learn some compassion understanding and empathy 👍

[Patricia-iog]

I was recently diagnosed with psychosis. I also have complex ptsd and major depression. I firmly believe the psychosis is caused by repeated trauma. I am 51. This is way past the age of the onset of psychosis. Ptsd with psychotic features is a rare diagnosis. I know this is the cause of my psychotic breaks. And it sucks.

[midnightcat]

The mental health system needs an overhaul. Instead of helping folks who are suffering tremendously, they treat unwell folk with the least amount of empathy as possible.

[jillnelson]

People fear whatever they don’t understand.

[reinaldopereira]

Other schizoaffective disorder patients told me this year that one of the worst symptoms I would have to deal with was the stigma. I understand them perfectly now.

[eversayaandhagi]

Ma'am I've been schizophrenic basically my entire life. According to my Mom I said I heard voices and she took me to the nearest quack she could find.

I was diagnosed with schizophrenia OCD ADD ADHD and mild auditory autism all at age 4 to 5 years old.

In my preteens to teenage years I was diagnosed with mild to moderate depression anxiety and panic attacks.

I'm sorry for what you are going through or have gone through.

To me all my mental illness seems completely to be a typical normal life for me even if I strongly dislike it.

[nikkiegallivan]

My dad say I'll just have to learn to control it and my mum when I get really depressed when the intrusive thought don't stop, she rolls her eyes and says "just stop thinking about it" and they are my only support group

[martina]

Can you do a video on identity and schizophrenia? Many people with schizophrenia struggle with their identity and who they are..