Is it me or do even the campaigners for mental health issues avoid Schizophrenics? It seems they only ever reference things like depression and anxiety, and ignore people who have bi-polar or sz.
Pretty frustrating. We need a voice too.
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You’re right. They don’t talk about severe mental illness, specially schizophrenia. And I don’t know why. I think it’s like a stigma between different mental illnesses.
Well if you notice they make a lot of aps that are dual for sz and bipolar like vraylar. But they will only advertise it for bi polar. Sz is still very taboo
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There seems to be plenty of funding given for Adolelesent Mental Health in the uk and on the news. But you hear naff all about treatment and support for Adult Schizophrenics. Its an uphill battle for me with the CMHT sometimes to get them to recognise my difficultys without them palming me off with a quick chat on the phone - and expecting me to be contented with that.
The CMHT’s can be difficult to deal with. I had Akasthsia and the case manager refused to give me a doctors appointment as she thought I should just ‘deal with it’. I think she got into trouble in the end as a pdoc I knew from years ago stepped in and helped me.
My gripes about such campaigns (1) They promote the media/society friendly types of people with mental health problems, to the relative exclusion of others who aren’t media/society friendly (2) The main focus in on the young followed by the elderly with little on the middle aged, especially chronic, mental illness sufferers.
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All popular campaigns for all types of illness likes to ignore the worse off or chronic illness that won’t get better or can’t be cured with a self help book.
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I’m a little bitter towards such campaigns as well.
It seems here in America they never talk about schizophrenics, but they are quick to raise awareness for people with the mental illnesses you mentioned.
You would have thought there would be an appetite to try and sort out one of the most stigmatising illnesses you can have.
It’s disappointing to say the least. I have even met health professionals who put me down and said there was no hope. If I can prove them wrong I know there are others who can too. I speak with them on this site all the time.
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This was the attitude when I was first diagnosed with schizophrenia in the mid 70s. With everything geared to the lowest common denominator . It took meeting my wife in hospital and her believing in me and helping me to get to the level I’m at now. It might not be the level of a person without severe mental illness’ but it’s markedly higher than what was being projected for me in 1981-1982.
Unfortunately nothing has changed. I had been a student during quieter times, and I had saved all my loans and grants as I was still working. I had advice from a senior nurse to pay back all that money to the government so I could claim housing benefits as I would never have a chance without it.
It took me 6 months to get my money back and I had to get my local MP to help. Safe to say that senior nurse was wrong as my family helped me with a job.
Your wife seems like she was an important part of your recovery. I am glad you found someone in your time of need.
That’s something that’s not available to most people with severe mental illness
She made a big difference.
I was very lucky and still am. My aunt will retire soon though, and the owner who gave me a job sold the company. I am not sure how much longer I can survive at the job now.
Here’s hoping you can.
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I think they should teach about MI especially severe MI in schools.
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Yeah @anon60523054 I think this should be covered in early highschool like sex education.
Tell people it’s not normal to hear voices etc so kids could get better help sooner.
These days sex, drugs and rock and roll are available but simple,clear and concise information about schizophrenia is sadly lacking. All I knew was that you heard voices and it was like multiple personalities. I was clueless as to the realities of it all and I could have gotten some help sooner!
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This is an interesting point.
I was in a lot of danger when I first became psychotic as I had no idea something was wrong and I went missing.
Perhaps if schools taught you about it, it would help people a lot.
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