I think I read on wikipedia years ago there was something called ‘‘Mad pride’’ I haven’t seen much about it other than there.
slogan…Mending The Split
Huh. Made me think.
Interesting article @everhopeful 
Most pride movements are of oppressed minorities who have something to provide and benefit the society
Vast majority of sz dont have anything to provide for society
If this mad pride really exist trust me it will make us more oppressed and attract more enemies
I dont recommend joining such movements
I’m generally a pretty vocal supporter of the gay movement, but the pride events are a massive turnoff for me. The last one I was at had floats of nearly naked people whipping each other, etc., and it was a family event. The people you least want representing your movement will be the first ones to show up and they’ll be front and centre. It has happened to them and it will happen to us if we organize.
I mean, frig, we saw how many times the memes thread went sideways because there are a small number of users with boundary issues. Can you imagine them at a public event in front of TV cameras making people think that the majority of us are like them?
[ SHUDDERS ]
No. Thank. You.
I agree with the thread. The whole “neurotypical” crowd get so much representation and time in the press. Never hear anything about people with psychotic disorders or SZ/SZA.
Polite disagreement. I feel the vast majority are capable of more than they think they are, but they’ve been convinced otherwise. “Don’t try that.” “Don’t stress yourself.” “You’ll make yourself ill if you try that.” “You need to lower your expectations.” Etcetera, etcetera.
Even if that is true, it doesnt mean we should just be left to rot or be killed off (like in Canada). We still have rights and needs and there should be more done to educate the public of our struggles. Instead you say “Im schizophrenic” and people act like you belong in an insane asylum.
I literally dont tell people my diagnosis because I know they will react badly.
Some people even say “oh you don’t seem crazy” etc. Like they mean it in a nice way, but they still have no idea what my illness is even when I give them the name etc.
I personally take offense when professionals tell me I can’t do fill in the blank because of my mental illness. I’m too busy living my life and doing what I want to care about what they say.
Ditto to all of that.
Also, it bears mentioning that there’s a massive case of apples vs oranges here. LGBT isn’t a disease. SZ is a disease.
I think mad pride is actually about seeing schizophrenia as more of a divergence than a disease. I think it could help people be more willing to talk about it. Just like you treat symptoms of autism with therapy CBT and medication, diabetes with insulin but you are not the thing causing your insulin issues, its something we are born with or breaks through from trauma and a more tolerant environment does make a huge impact on your life.
People being more knowledgeable wont reduce stigma for this illness. Because the illness itself is stigmatizing. I mean, most people with schizophrenia live off of state taxes. Also, due to our flat affect, no one values our opinion on anything. We are at the very bottom of the social structure. No one cares about us. No amount of activism is gonna change people’s minds about us. The only thing that will bring about a change in the way people think of us is if there is ever to be a cure.
We have a mad pride in Belgium. Never been to one.
(edit) This is a new time. I’m attempting to adapt. (/Edit)
IDK, maybe take pride in surviving such a disabling disease, hopefully with at least all the dignity you can muster. And we obviously have some things to offer society: @anon82948922 is a prime example of that with his photography and radio work etc. And many other people with schizophrenia have talents and skills that are useful. Hell, I don’t like volunteer jobs, the ones I had were more like slave labor but I often give to different charities including kids and animal charities. So I have a direct impact on society. I pay my taxes and take care of myself and I don’t cause any trouble. That’s something to be proud of.
Like I’m out there with most people I know but they don’t really know what I deal with. They are mostly understanding people but I’m not really totally out there publicly like on facebook or other social media when it comes to sz.
I’m all for the Pride movement. Get onboard. I just don’t want my disorder plastered all over the news and with me associated with it. I just think it’s too complicated for most and I’m at a worse spot if people everywhere knew. I’d rather the opportunity to make friends and new relationships without that label hanging over my head.
So. I understand how frigging hard it is for people dealing with things like sexuality. Add sz to that and it’s even more so. I honestly think we have enough to deal with publicly and not sure there’s an easy solution to stigma no matter how forthright and open we are in our personal lives…I just reserve myself some peace by making disclosure my choice as things like sexuality are too.
There was a Mad Pride parade in Cork city in Ireland about 10 years ago that a lot of local mentally ill people took part in. Personally I was never proud of my illness and my feelings towards my Sz are nearly all totally neutral. It’s just there and it exists, and just like the sun, the moon and the stars I have no strong feelings towards it at all. I’ve made a reasonable recovery though and am not suffering, at least subjectively (the house needs a cleaning though, so there’s that…)
Most people with sz/sza are good people
It’s just the bad ones give us all a bad name
which is wrong
I still understand still too