A Collection Just For Us

My name is Megan. I’m 21 years old, a full time writer and worker at an antique store. I’ve been published in several magazines and newspapers, and was running my own online literary magazine before my symptoms prevented me from continuing that responsibility. I was diagnosed with schizophrenia when I was twenty years old, though I have been suffering from it much earlier than that, well into my early childhood.

Okay, all that aside, I have to ask: when you were first diagnosed, did you feel like there was a serious lack of support and information out in the world? Obviously quite a few people suffer from schizophrenia, but the community out there seems so small! All the information available seems to either be hyper clinical or misconstrued. I tried to do a lot of research on early childhood schizophrenia, and the results were shocking. I can’t believe how some of these kids are treated, perceived as monsters instead of children. When I tried to find literature on the subject, again, it was all hyper clinical. There are very few selections out there for any of us who are looking for support.

So I was wondering; would a collection of stories from people sharing their experiences, good and bad, about schizophrenia help any of you, or would have? Stories to let you know that there are other people out there who feel similar, or who feel worse, or better, that have experienced all sorts of strange and wonderful and crippling things like yourself? Something to let you know that you’re not alone, and that it’s okay to seek help, and to not feel like a monster?

And if anyone was diagnosed with childhood schizophrenia, do you think more kids lit with schizophrenic protagonists would have helped you cope a little better?

As someone who has always turned to books for solace, I was just so shocked at the lack of literature on the subject. I have to think I’m not the only one who feels like this,

MTV has a good documentary on schizophrenia called “True Life I have schizophrenia.” It features three people who are living with the illness. I think it shows a realistic side to people’s experience with the illness. I was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder when I was 13 and diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia when I was 26. When I was first diagnosed I was so psychotic I didn’t do any research on it. Now in recent years I’ve done some research and find a lot on schizophrenia but not schizoaffective disorder. I am interested in other people’s stories that’s one of the reasons I joined this site. Also too to not feel so alone. It’s a good support network. Good luck to you.

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