How do you deal with the stigma of schizophrenia?

DX'd - Sz/SzA
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How do you deal with the stigma of schizophrenia?

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Usually I shuffle a bit, then hold cards in left hand and throw with the right.

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a lot of people stimaie s/sza

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what does this mean?

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look down on one

stigmatize

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I don’t tell people I have it. At worst, I mention Bipolar.

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But I have SZA not SZ.

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Loose lips sink ships. I keep ‘em zipped tight.

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I don’t really deal with the stigma….

I don’t know.

Basically everyone close to me knows I have it…

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because the public don’t fully know about sz/sza tey jude too much

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Ah… I guess to answer your question, I generally don’t care that much what some random person on the street thinks of me. I care what friends and family think.

And I also can care if it affects certain things like medical treatment by a doctor. For example, if I believe that they think I dont need a test becausee I’m schizophrenic and imagining it or something.

I care about freinds and family and real world effects. Couldnt care less what the guy on the corner thinks.

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The only time I’ve felt stigmatized/looked down upon due to sz is from dating sites. Other than that, and maybe I’m naive and oblivious, I’ve never felt stigmatized in the work place or elsewhere due to it.

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Honestly, feels like purging a lie they sold me out. I’m on a lot less meds than I used to be. And it just feels sooooo… Cold. Like any of these meds is just not helpful.

I wish I was wrong. I wish it was as simple as take a pill they manufactured, just never seems that simple I guess. Cus at the end of the day you sit on less than you were on before and realize even that is just too much to be who you really are.

I hate stigma too. But the fact is I feel like I/we live in an age of deception. Be true/be genuine but don’t let anyone try and put you in a box and tell you that you can’t be who you really are I guess.

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Eleanor Roosevelt said: Nobody can make you feel inferior without your consent.

Negative stereotypes of sz/sza come from ignorance, lack of knowledge. And you are not sz/sza:You are a person with sz/sza.

If you haven’t already, educate yourself about sz/sza. Then you can compare facts with the stereotypes. Also, take an active role in your treatment of sz/sza. See a doctor, take medication, don’t isolate, join a support group if you want. All of these actions will empower you. Your self-esteem will increase, and the stigma will have less of an impact on your life.

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Extended family stay away from me and my family. Immediate family all know i have sz. And most of my schoolmates will definitely know as well. But again, they stay away.

In terms of dealing with the stigma, theres not much i can do. People tend to treat you like you are subhuman, things like ignoring you or bringing their own sense of shame out when youre about.

Idk how to explain it. Im just very humble of my expectations of people. The world is fickle and i just avoid people

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ive never really dealt with it. i guess except maybe physical health doctors thinking im crazy and not taking me seriously for physical complaints. but other than that i dont really know people. so its not like i tell people. and ive only mentioned it to a few people online. its been fine tho. they dont bother me about it or bring it up.

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I just say I’m on a certain drug now for psychiatric reasons. That seems like enough disclosure. Rather than saying I hear voices…
I don’t know how to really answer your question without pointing out that you will be judged if you explain campus police had to hogtie you while you were on mushrooms or whatever. (Not my story) but you get the gist

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I cope with it by being successful.

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I tell most people that I have bipolar

It’s not lying as I have both schizophrenia and bipolar/ SZA

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By not telling anybody i have it

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