Posted by SLS on February 4, 2015, at 9:00:53
In reply to schizophrenic is my new role in the community, posted by Christ_empowered on February 3, 2015, at 20:49:46
> My official diagnosis is Bipolar I w/psychotic features. In all likelihood, if my people hadn't moved up in the world and thrown their support behind me, I'd be diagnosed with schizophrenia, on a court order, and chillin' in a group home.
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> The community has voted me schizophrenic...largely because of "poor life choices." Being schizophrenic isn't really about a disease state, its a social role.
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> Undoubtedly, I have mental problems. What's odd is that I'm actually, officially, "in recovery," and doing surprisingly well. The community has voted me "schizophrenic," so with that comes some more leeway and space, but also invalidation.
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> Just thought I'd throw this out there.Words are critical.
You are not "a schizophrenic". You are a human being who may have contracted an illness known as schizophrenia. Is someone with a malignant melanoma called "a cancerenic"? Unfortunately, there other examples of the personification of illness. Aren't people who have contracted leprosy called lepers? You will need to either passively allow someone to call you a schizophrenic or you can correct them to help reduce stigma. I usually choose the latter.
Google schizophrenia symptoms and diagnosis. You will need to diffentiate it from schizoaffective disorder and bipolar disorder. Let me know what you come up with.
You are a real nice guy. I'm sorry to see you have so many things to deal with at the same time.
- ScottSome see things as they are and ask why.
I dream of things that never were and ask why not.- George Bernard Shaw
poster:SLS
thread:1075964
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20141123/msgs/1075978.html