Schizophrenia, Support, Treatment and Stigma of Mental Illness

Here's what's happening on the HealthyPlace site this week:

• Schizophrenia, Support, Treatment and Stigma of Mental Illness
• Share Your Mental Health Experiences
• "Living with Schizophrenia" On HealthyPlace TV
• From HealthyPlace Mental Health Blogs

Schizophrenia, Support, Treatment and Stigma of Mental Illness

A few of us were watching the live HealthyPlace Mental Health TV Show interview with our guest Kristin Bell. She was discussing the ins-and-outs of her life with Schizophrenia. As we sat there staring at the screen, Gary, the host of the show, made a comment that was on all our minds -- the juxtaposition of someone sitting there, appearing to be of sound mind vs. how many of us picture someone with schizophrenia, one of the most devastating mental illnesses marked by delusions and hallucinations.

It was mind-boggling. Why? Because even though we work for a mental health website, most of us don't have direct experience with someone who has Schizophrenia. Sure, we read articles, but the images in our minds of someone living with Schizophrenia are gleaned from tv news stories, documentaries and shows; which usually portray people with untreated Schizophrenia. And that is a large part of what stigma of mental illness is based on -- second-hand experiences and selected images presented as accurate and sole portrayals of mental illness.

After viewing Kristin Bell, my opinions have changed. Her explanation for the way she appears today: "My life has been utterly transformed and changed for the better because of modern medicine, my fabulous doctor, a great therapist and my terrific, loving, supportive family."

We're grateful for having Kristin on the show. She's a shining example of what can happen when a person with a mental illness (just like any serious physical illness) receives good treatment and support and is motivated to stay the course. The public needs to see more people like her to remove the stigma surrounding mental illness.

Share Your Mental Health Experiences

Share your thoughts on "stigma of mental illness" or any mental health subject, or respond to other people's audio posts, by calling our toll-free number (1-888-883-8045).

You can listen to what other people are saying by clicking on the gray title bars inside the widgets located on the "Sharing Your Mental Health Experiences" homepage, the HealthyPlace homepage, and the HealthyPlace Support Network homepage.

If you have any questions, write us at: info AT healthyplace.com

"Living with Schizophrenia" On HealthyPlace TV

What is it like living with schizophrenia? Kristin Bell shares her story and how antipsychotic medications and therapy have transformed her life on this week's HealthyPlace Mental Health TV Show.

Watch the interview on the HealthyPlace Mental Health TV Show website. On-demand after next Tuesday.

• Living with Schizophrenia (tv show blog, guest post which includes audio)

Coming in April on the HealthyPlace Mental Health TV Show

• Sex After Sexual Abuse
• How to Talk to a Child About Suicide

If you would like to be a guest on the show or share your personal story in writing or via video, please write us at: producer AT healthyplace.com

Click here for a list of previous HealthyPlace Mental Health TV Shows.

From HealthyPlace Mental Health Blogs

• Positive Thinking Keeps Your Bipolar at Bay (Bipolar Vida blog)
• Hyper Motivated to Succeed (ADDaboy! adult ADHD blog)
• Disordered Eating and Eating Disorder: What's the Difference? (Eating Disorder Recovery: The Power of Parents blog)
• Why Do We Shut People Out When We Need Them the Most? (Nitty Gritty of Anxiety blog)

On the adult ADHD blog, ADDaboy!, author Douglas Cootey is working on a series of articles about distraction, procrastination and boredom and how best to cope with these troubling symptoms of adult ADHD.

• ADHD and the Allure of NEW
• Your Mind Is an ADHD Comet. Take It For a Ride.
• How to Work With Your ADHD On Projects
• Hyper Motivated to Succeed
• ADHD Tricks to Tame Your Pony (coming)

Feel free to share your thoughts and comments at the bottom of any blog post. And visit the mental health blogs homepage for the latest posts.

back to: HealthyPlace.com Mental-Health Newsletter Index