Schizophrenia

May 23, 2008

Amber Main, 19, of NAMI Virginia (Hampton-Newport News) recently was featured in "True Life: I Have Schizophrenia," part of the award-winning MTV documentary series that explores issues affecting young people.

The episode follows Amber’s return to college one year after receiving her schizophrenia diagnosis. Two other young adults, Josh and Ben, are profiled, focusing on Josh's habit of self-medicating with marijuana and Ben's fears of relapse during a difficult time in his family.

NAMI's medical director, Ken Duckworth, M.D., answers questions on the show's internet blog. The blog also includes a bonus story profiling Sarah, a young woman returning from a psychiatric hospital and struggling to regulate her medications at home.

Additional Resources:

Watch True Life: I Have Schizophrenia

True Life Production Blog

Q&A with Dr. Ken Duckworth

Schizophrenia Fact Sheet

 

Schizophrenia does not make me any less of a person than anyone else. It does not mean my life is over.

I think the most important thing is to accept the disorder like any other medical disorder; that treatment works and that recovery is not only possible, but probable as well.

I think the most important thing is that family, friends, and the public should have awareness and understanding of schizophrenia.

It is a disease that can destroy your life. Families can and do turn their backs on you. The public doesn't care. Your government doesn't care. No one cares. If there is a hell, having this illness has got to be the greater part of hell's acreage.

I want people to know that I am just as intelligent and compassionate as any other person and that I am not a danger to them.

My health insurance has a co-pay of 50% for mental health services but only $10 for physical health services. I can't move out of my parent's house because it costs me $350 a month just for therapy, the psychiatrist, and medication.

It is biological and could happen to anyone. As a caregiver, you need to gather your strength from the love you have for the person you are caring for. .

Prepare to be challenged by the disease, the person, and the system.

It is easy to burn out when there is no support, understanding for yourself or your child. Compassion is essential for what they are going through. Knowledge about the illness and the medications are the only thing that helps cope with symptoms.

Caring for a family member is a life-changing and never-ending process. You must remain ever vigilant and expect difficulties in accessing necessary and appropriate services. You must also take care of yourself.

The public needs to fully understand schizophrenia first before people can begin to grasp the toll this illness takes on the individual affected by this disease and the physical and mental strain experienced by family members...