About Schizophrenia

As a preteen, I was busy doing preteen things. I was getting a slice of pizza.

Someone my age approached me. She said she was having a really bad week, and I patiently waited without speaking. She mentioned that this was a bad week because her mom just got diagnosed with schizophrenia. We didn’t know each other that well, and I felt responsible for the trust she placed in me. I will never forget that feeling. I will also never forget her sadness, nor the candid processing of the diagnosis. I didn't tell anyone; it was her story to share.

Many years later, on the bus with freshman college friends, some strangers came over to sit and chat with me. My friend remarked that strangers, including those with mental health needs, always appear out of nowhere and find me to talk to. She mentioned that I must have the look of someone easy to talk to, and another friend remarked that it's because I listen.

Maybe, I thought to myself, it is because I'm trusted.

Schizophrenia is a serious issue, and psychosis is alarming for everyone involved. I always thought compassion was just part of our social deal. It was enlightening, therefore, to observe the 2013 empty void where compassion should’ve flowed. I’ve held many things in since that year. Here’s a big one:

One of the most concerning parts of the Chicago Mock was the lack of consideration for true psychosis. Either some in Illinois wanted to induce paranoia-like psychosis, or they were apathetic to actual psychosis. Like it or not, in making an intentional mockery, they made a true mockery of compassion for mental health.

I’ve never experienced psychosis. At an age where diagnosis is expected, my twenties, I experienced the effects of corporate greed and investigation desperation.

When a healthcare company recruits their HR person to inform a harassed employee to be watchful of the local newspapers, that healthcare company does not care about actual psychosis. When local newspapers allow their headlines to be deliberately spun using the employee’s personal communications, those newspapers reflect a lack of heart for people with schizophrenia and paranoia. When law and justice participate, law and justice demonstrate callousness for those with psychosis. When politicians allow this, something that anyone would find distressing, politicians display cruelty to those with psychosis. And when a boss informs the employee that the team was just doing what administration told them to do, the team is personally responsible for viciousness that disregards psychosis.

Continuing the charade to this day reflects how everyone involved cares about schizophrenia, psychosis, and loved ones of those affected. It also reflects how opposite they are to me when it comes to valuing trust.

Corrupt companies and analysts may hide cruelty and selfishness. They may be able to hide criminal actions. They may not even care about swimmers' ears. They do care about image, however, and that image now includes groupthink callousness toward psychosis.

I'm not going to comply with the charade. Let's focus on what's real:

• One in 222 adults has schizophrenia. Once someone has schizophrenia, they will have it for the rest of their life.
• Psychosis is a symptom of schizophrenia. It is also an issue for people who do not have schizophrenia. Worldwide, more than 66% of people with psychosis don’t receive care for it. The average age of onset is around 24, and 3.5% of people experience it.
• Signs of psychosis (delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, disorganized behavior) are also criteria used to diagnose schizophrenia - and not all criteria are needed for the diagnosis.
• People with schizophrenia die much more often by suicide. In the US it’s about 4.5% of people with the diagnosis.
• People with schizophrenia die prematurely from many causes; I believe some stats mention 20-30 years less of life.
• Most people with schizophrenia don’t have many socioeconomic resources. It may be difficult to have a strong source of income.
• The medicines for schizophrenia are not optimal and there is no cure.
• The diagnosis is distressing for everyone involved. Psychosis episodes are also distressing.
• Caregivers will need extra support as well, and likely won’t receive it. Those who care have to hold conversations about what is real and what isn’t real.

I’ve never experienced psychosis, nor has my immediate family. I’ve been cared for, and by, people who have experienced psychosis.

I’ve been trusted by people who experienced schizophrenia.

Even my Swimmer’s Ear healed better at the hands of someone affected.

I'm setting expectations for a better world because I remember the trust placed in me. Not everyone can take it; I can.

• I expect laws and policies to reflect greater consideration for those with psychosis.
• I expect research to prioritize treatments for those with schizophrenia.
• I expect healthcare to improve the lives of those with schizophrenia. No excuses.
• I expect communities to show compassion for those with psychosis and schizophrenia. This includes justice, courts, housing and transportation.
• I expect those who are unapologetically uncompassionate and cruel about psychosis to have a non-violent really bad week.

If you’ve placed trust in me, thank you. I cherish it for real.

Go team.