http://whyy.org/cms/news/health-science/behavioral-health-health-science/2009/04/24/hollywood-looks-at-mental-illness/7117 News and Information from WHYY in Philadelphia Mon, 19 Dec 2011 23:50:34 -0500 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.4 http://whyy.org/cms/news/health-science/behavioral-health-health-science/2009/04/24/hollywood-looks-at-mental-illness/7117/comment-page-1#comment-195 C. Fri, 24 Apr 2009 14:37:02 +0000 http://whyy.org/cms/news/?p=7117#comment-195 please do not list my name. While I am not ashamed of my family member with schizophrenia, I do feel compelled to protect his privacy, because of the overwhelming stigma attached to this disease. I would like to plead with all of you who use the term "schizophrenic" to describe anything--anything at all-- that does not go smoothly or according to plan, to refrain from using this term. Every time I hear it, it is like a knife to my heart. I am reminded that even well meaning people and good friends of mine do not fully understand this very painful condition. Painful both for those who develop it as well as those who love them. I so love my family member and I am so grateful to have him in my life. It's not that I would wish for a different person, but am very sad that life is so difficult for him. I should say that he was diagnosed with schizophrenia more than 20 years ago, and while those early years were torture, every day now is a gift, with some extra challenges. For those facing early schizophrenia in a family member-- my wish for you is strength. It is so painful when the anger and acute paranoia are present. I do believe there are more resources now than there were even 10 years ago. When we were facing it, we didn't know where to turn. In addition, many physicians will not provide support or treatment if the person is unwilling to take medication! This was unbelievable to me, since I know that often people with schizophrenia are paranoid, even to the point of never eating a meal with anyone. Of course I am old enough to remember the days when mothers were held responsible for their children's schizophrenia, being called "schizophrenogenic." My hope for anyone facing this is to be able to find a doctor as wonderful as ours. Support means so much. There are a lot of doctors out there who are less than great at dealing with this illness. And do not blame yourself. I wish that I could offer my contact info, but as I said, I am so careful about protecting my family member's privacy. please do not list my name. While I am not ashamed of my family member with schizophrenia, I do feel compelled to protect his privacy, because of the overwhelming stigma attached to this disease. I would like to plead with all of you who use the term "schizophrenic" to describe anything–anything at all– that does not go smoothly or according to plan, to refrain from using this term. Every time I hear it, it is like a knife to my heart. I am reminded that even well meaning people and good friends of mine do not fully understand this very painful condition. Painful both for those who develop it as well as those who love them. I so love my family member and I am so grateful to have him in my life. It's not that I would wish for a different person, but am very sad that life is so difficult for him. I should say that he was diagnosed with schizophrenia more than 20 years ago, and while those early years were torture, every day now is a gift, with some extra challenges. For those facing early schizophrenia in a family member– my wish for you is strength. It is so painful when the anger and acute paranoia are present. I do believe there are more resources now than there were even 10 years ago. When we were facing it, we didn't know where to turn. In addition, many physicians will not provide support or treatment if the person is unwilling to take medication! This was unbelievable to me, since I know that often people with schizophrenia are paranoid, even to the point of never eating a meal with anyone. Of course I am old enough to remember the days when mothers were held responsible for their children's schizophrenia, being called "schizophrenogenic." My hope for anyone facing this is to be able to find a doctor as wonderful as ours. Support means so much. There are a lot of doctors out there who are less than great at dealing with this illness. And do not blame yourself. I wish that I could offer my contact info, but as I said, I am so careful about protecting my family member's privacy.

]]> http://whyy.org/cms/news/health-science/behavioral-health-health-science/2009/04/24/hollywood-looks-at-mental-illness/7117/comment-page-1#comment-194 loretta Ferry Fri, 24 Apr 2009 12:35:05 +0000 http://whyy.org/cms/news/?p=7117#comment-194 Thank you for the opportunity to express my thoughts, I think you did an excellent job....there is just so much more to this illness, it would take a book to cover. Thank you for the opportunity to express my thoughts, I think you did an excellent job….there is just so much more to this illness, it would take a book to cover.

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