What People with Schizophrenia Want You to Know

In this video, we share a compilation of answers from people who are living with schizophrenia to the question, "What do you wish people knew about schizophrenia?"

We want to thank @Students With Psychosis for bringing us to New York and allowing us the opportunity to meet and film with these fellow advocates!

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[LivingWellAfterSchizophrenia]

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[luciannebeans]

Yes, schizophrenia is more than the “homeless man at the subway speaking to himself, ” but he deserves compassion, too. 😞

[Pareidoliashortcaketurtle]

I wish people knew...
How awesome a schizophrenic can be, when faced with all the battles, when overcoming stigma, when finding self love and the motivation to persevere. We are not only people, we are strong and hopeful people. Capable of great thing's.

[BooshieWooshie]

One of my friends recently told me she has schizophrenia and I’ve been trying to learn about it so I can better support her. She’s a brilliant person and one of my best friends. She acts just like anyone else would, and sometimes we’ll share a laugh about her hallucinations because they pop up at funny times.

[luxxxgaming-qd]

I've been diagnosed with schizophrenia back in 2012 and now I'm living a productive life as an animator. I wish I could tell them my story without thinking I was crazy and also giving me the freedom to express myself without judgement.

[brothercoyote]

The power of positivity cannot be stressed enough for schizophrenia.

[jonathanparchmont]

I was diagnosed with schizophrenia 20 years ago. Ever since then I have been denied health insurance due to my preexisting condition so i have not been able to afford medication and i have refused to take medication. I am now able to control my voices and noises. My cognitive abilities have not declined but in fact have increased.

[unperson]

Schizophrenia does not equal multiple personality disorder, I am looking at you Stephen King.

[afterbars]

as someone with a best friend showing strong symptoms right now.. thank you for this video. this gives me hope for her, and so much love for all of you who live with it

[DinoTheDinosaurROAR]

I have Paranoid Schizophrenia, and people always called me the R-Word and many other rude name calling towards me, and this has been ever since middle school up to HS and even way after I got out of school and started working, and out of ALL my jobs people ALWAYS always always made fun of me and talked crap about me, all my co-workers would talk about me amongst eachother and laugh about me out loud, even l laughed in my face! And it sucks.. I'm currently trying to find the right medication(s) to help me cool my mood and hilucinstions down, because I also talk to myself and to my mother out loud or even to things that are apparently not there but I literally see them floating infront of me sometimes and they laugh or talk to me and tell me to do things, sometimes tells me to do things I shouldnt do, and it's like these weird faces that will literally just frickin float infront of me telling me things and start laughing/giggling, yeah, I know, I'm crazy, it's crazy, it's insane!!... But anyways, I also have other mental health issues such as ADD, MDD, and PTSD. And I've had that since I was 16 and literally seen my mother dying infront of me and I think about it literally almost every single day and night from the time I wake up till sleep time, I'll literally relive that moment over n over in my head and sometimes I'll even start crying out of nowhere because of these thoughts... Etc.. Etc.. But anyways lol uhnnn, yeah, so I'm currently trying to find these videos on schizophrenic people and see how they deal with their schizo episodes and what medications they're on to better help myself!! So thanks for these videos, I'm learning more n more!! Thank you!! 😊😊

[JacobSynner]

I wish I could hug all of you, your so brave to speak out about these problems.

[garrettgaylor]

I want to thank you all for sharing your truth. It made me cry a lot. My name Laura, I am 54 years old. My mother suffered terribly from schizophrenia, all of my life. When I was 26, she left to be with God. Nothing has come close to the pain I had from losing her. She was the kindest, most loving human being I have ever known. Her heart was pure love & she was afflicted with a terrible disease. Seeing all of you share your selves makes me so happy to know how far medicine has come. You are all so beautiful & full of light & love. I know my Mom is smiling upon all of you. I know she sent me my beautiful children because she is my forever Angel. Please keep sharing who you are & what this disease is. Unfortunately the world is very ignorant to it. Thank you & God bless, Laura❤️

[kevinsbipolarjournal]

25 Years old, diagnosed with Schizophrenia on December 2020, it's been extremely difficult. But watching this video gives me a bit of hope.

[art.of.verser]

I really wish that others know that people living with schizophrenia are more than capable of doing great things in life as advocates of their own cause. My love of art and activism only strengthened me hundredfold after my diagnosis because all along those two things I had incorporated in my life worked for me rather than against me. My friends and family had treated me no different after that, and I love them just as much for it. We're more than our hallucinations. We are all human, first and foremost. Look out for each other, don't tear each other down. This is a quote I set for myself and others who are battling this brain disorder: "You're a victor to the cause, NOT the victim!" Thank you all for listening and your support. Stay safe, everyone. I love and appreciate you all. 💜

[leigh]

I am in healthcare and am so grateful for your channel. I first became interested when a “mental health “ worker came in to my hospital and, in my mind, was abusive to my pt who was having delusions and paranoia. From that experience I have wanted to learn more so that I can honor my patient’s dignity.

[asteroxfoundation]

I am a recovered schizophrenic who was diagnosed back in 1990/1991 and haven’t been on any meds since 1992/1993. I spent 4 weeks in a psych ward, underwent ECT, and had the whole gamut of very strong intrusive negative thoughts and voices and an intense hallucination…a snake-like creature with a lion-like head came out of a portal and entered my room through a cloud. At the time I had no knowledge of Gnosticism, but they refer to this entity as Yaldabaoth among other names. I truly believe schizophrenia is a shamanic/spiritual experience in which some surpass and others do not. Today, I live a successful, productive and fruitful life employed as a mechanical engineer.

[tossed_about]

That idea that people with schizophrenia are first and foremost 'people' has reverberated with me almost from the very start of my professional career. Every person with schizophrenia I've met has had a different personality: some lovable, some not so much but that's ok, it's just like everyone else in the world. It breaks my heart sometimes to see how much schizophrenia has taken away from the wonderful person that used to be in there.

[angelicalloyd]

Completely agree with everyone on this love the courage and bravery expressed

[differentthings]

Am 38 years old and I have schizophrenia and I am living a amazing life because of my schizophrenia

[squamd]

Existence is suffering. We're going for extra credit.