Welcome to #SchizoChat, a two-hour forum where we discuss some topic related to schizo-type illnesses! Today we are talking about stigma! #EndTheStigma
So throughout the next two hours I will be adding fun(?) facts about stigma into this thread, asking questions, running polls, and answering your questions/comments! Please share your experiences and knowledge! #SchizoChat
Usual disclaimer: I am not an expert by any means, I am merely an individual with schizoaffective disorder. Please call me out when you see me making errors and add your perspectives too! #SchizoChat
I missed a dose of my antipsychotics this week so I’m struggling a bit more than usual, so please bear with me! I already have a lot of typos (cognitive dysfunction whoop) but it could be way worse this week #SchizoChat
This is currently a weekly chat (I’ll be switching it to every other week soon because this takes a lot of spoons to run)—if you missed our previous #SchizoChat-s please check out my pinned tweet, they’re all stored there.
Remember that everyone’s perspective is valid! Please respect each other, folks! #SchizoChat
What is stigma? The dictionary definition is simply “a mark of disgrace associated with a particular circumstance, quality, or person.” #SchizoChat
In practice, we think of stigma as a negative perspective based on a given characteristic; in this case, the negative ways people view individuals with mental illness. This can be due to bad incorrect stereotypes, but also the reality of mental illness. #SchizoChat
What does "stigma" mean to you?
Why use the term “mental illness”? Folks have rightly pointed out this evening that calling these disorders an illness can further their stigmatization. #SchizoChat
It comes down to personal preference. If you don’t like to identify with the term you don’t have to! I do identify with it because I lean towards preferring clinical diagnostic terminology #SchizoChat
I believe that it is fine to acknowledge that these are illnesses, it isn’t fine to stigmatize an illness. While stigma exists for other illnesses (flu, cancer, etc.) I’d argue that it’s often different with mental illnesses #SchizoChat
Maybe it is the “mental” part of “mental illness” that leads to stigmatization, not the “illness” bit. #SchizoChat
Plus, remember, I’m coming at this from the schizo-end of the mental illness spectrum. My schizoaffective symptoms are, in my opinion, definitely an illness and they definitely impact my quality of life, so “mental illness” seems fine for me #SchizoChat
What are your thoughts on the term mental illness?
Comment here or join this chat:
Comment here or join this chat:
Another participant this evening has pointed out that we might as well use the term “discrimination.” I totally agree! I get to that more later tonight. #SchizoChat
Why discrimination? Well, many many folks have experienced negative side effects due to stigma. We'll dive into this a little bit more later, but check out these numbers:
What does stigma of mental illness (especially schizo-type illnesses, this is #SchizoChat after all) look like, and why are they a major problem?
Many folks experience a variety of comments that are all problematic in different ways (more on this later on). What about you?
People with schizo-type illnesses (especially #schizophrenia) are often faced with what has been called (by Dr. E Fuller Torrey, author of Surviving Schizophrenia) an “extraordinary amount of stigma.”
He calls #schizophrenia the “modern-day equivalent of leprosy” in that schizophrenics are understood and cast out from society. #SchizoChat
In general, stigma often results from people’s incorrect knowledge of and assumptions about mental illness. What are some common misconceptions about schizophrenia and other schizotypal (schizo-type) illnesses? #SchizoChat
Many individuals incorrectly conflate Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID, formerly called multiple personality disorder) with schizophrenia. Look up “schizophrenia” on Etsy or RedBubble, you’ll see this incorrect assumption all over the place #SchizoChat
I know this because I am constantly on the lookout for cool schizo merch to help #EndTheStigma #SchizoChat
I'm trying to see if folks on the internet believe this too. Now that you know the answer please don't participate in the poll!
The closest I get to multiple personalities is during my worst manic and depressive swings. Depressed me talks slowly, is calmer, slumps more. Manic me talks quickly, is excitable, and holds themselves differently. Not multiple personalities, multiple behaviors #SchizoChat
Oh no, I forgot to link this tweet too: what is the first thing you think of when you hear "schizophrenia?" No wrong answers, no judgment, I'm just curious.
Many people find ways to blame the ill person for their illness. They’re lazy, they’re morally corrupt, they’re sinful, etc. etc. As we all know, mental illnesses are brain disorders, not a failure of our motivation or morality. #SchizoChat
This is especially prevalent when folks are experiencing some form of executive dysfunction. There are times that it is near impossible for me to do, well, anything. I can’t cook, clean, shower, get out of bed. #SchizoChat
As you can imagine, to people not experiencing the weird numbness of executive dysfunction this could look like I am simply lazy. But it is a whole different ballgame. #SchizoChat
What does executive dysfunction feel like? Check out some of these answers and add your own!
Executive dysfunction for me is a weird combination of numbness and terror. I *know* I should be doing these things (showering, eating) but for the life of me I can’t make my body do it. I’m trapped and it feels terrible. The stigma makes it worse. #SchizoChat
Many studies show that folks assume schizophrenia and other severe mental disorders are caused by sin or weakness of character. #SchizoChat
The good news(?) is that the majority of Americans “now accept the fact that schizophrenia is a brain disease, not God’s punishment.” The bad news is that “majority” only means >50%. #SchizoChat
In his book Surviving Schizophrenia Dr. Fuller Torrey notes that “one would have predicted that such increased understanding would significantly decrease stigma against those with the disease.” But actually, the stigma has gotten worse. #SchizoChat
Side note: writing a book about the stigma associated with schizophrenia and calling it “Surviving Schizophrenia” seems a bit ironic. #SchizoChat
Schizophrenia was often blamed on patients’ families—we used to describe the mothers of schizophrenic patients as “schizophrogenic” literally, schizo-causing! #SchizoChat
As we of course know, schizophrenia is likely caused by a combination of genes and developmental environment (epigenetics), not bad parenting! #SchizoChat
There are lots of ways in which patients are blamed for mental illness (either intentionally or unintentionally). #SchizoChat
Exercising may help folks work through depression but some depressed folks may not benefit. So telling us “just exercise!” unintentionally seems as though you are blaming us for our illness simply because we don't run sometimes. #SchizoChat
I’m constantly told “get outside in nature, it’ll help your mental illness.” I’m a biologist. I work with wild animals. In nature. I’m probably out in nature way more than most of y’all. Yet, I am still psychotic. #SchizoChat
Many of us are told that drug use causes mental illness. After all, drugs damage brains, and many drugs can cause neurotypic patients to experience psychosis-like symptoms. #SchizoChat
This is especially prevalent in discussions of schizophrenia—just yesterday I read a scientific paper that showed that people who used marijuana and nicotine products were more likely to have the genes that increase the likelihood of schizophrenia. #SchizoChat
Their conclusion? Drug use and schizophrenia are linked. Not technically false, but I'll discuss that a bit more later. But the headline? "Schizophrenia tied to drug use." Different connotation. Stigma and bad #SciComm all in one. #SchizoChat
I have heard multiple times that this sort of assumption pops up in psychiatric/psychology textbooks too. Even our trained medical professionals may believe this! I’m asked about my “drug abuse” all the time. #SchizoChat
The problem with these drug-schizophrenia studies is that CORRELATION DOES NOT EQUAL CAUSATION! In other words, just because you see a pattern between two things, it doesn’t mean that one is causing the other. #SchizoChat
Because schizo-type illnesses pop up in the mid-20s and drug use often begins in the late teens, many patients tried drugs before their schizophrenia appeared. That doesn’t mean the drug caused the schizophrenia! #SchizoChat
Plus, as I’ve mentioned before, some evidence suggests that common drugs may help alleviate the symptoms of schizo-type illnesses. Patients may be using drugs because of the schizo, not the other way around. #SchizoChat
Of course, drugs do cause damage to brains. We don’t understand yet what really “causes” schizophrenia (see our first schizo-chat!) so maybe the same brain areas are impacted by drugs. #SchizoChat
But just because drugs may cause brain damage doesn’t mean that we can assume that every schizo patient (or mentally ill patient) in general caused their illness through drug use! #SchizoChat
Let's see if mental health twitter makes the same assumptions:
A HUGE stereotype about schizophrenic patients is that we are violent. Lots of folks think so (even if this poll on mental health twitter doesn’t back it up, we aren’t really representative of the typical public):
A 1996 survey showed that the public in 1996 was more likely to view schizophrenic patients as dangerous compared to the public in 1950. And not by a small margin—250%! #SchizoChat
The 1996 United States Surgeon General stated “Why is stigma so strong?...people with mental illness, especially those with psychosis, are perceived to be more violent than in the past.” #SchizoChat
Another studied showed that reading a newspaper article that reported a violent crime committed by a mentally ill person led to increased “negative attitudes toward people with mental illness.” #SchizoChat
Studies in the US and Europe show that “episodes of violence are the largest single cause of stigma against individuals with mental illness.” #SchizoChat
It doesn’t help that major political parties go out of their way to associate violence with mental illness, rather than other possible causes like misogyny and racism #SchizoChat
This problematic stereotype, like many stereotypes, is indeed rooted in some fact. Schizophrenic patients have been shown to be more violent, on average, than non-schizophrenic patients (more info here: treatmentadvocacycenter.org/fixing-the-sys….) #SchizoChat
I’ll do a whole #SchizoChat about schizo and violence at some point, because this is all super complicated. Too complicated for a brief mention in a single chat.
But just because a few patients are violent does NOT mean that we all are! Assuming that psychotic people are violent can lead to some pretty major consequences. #SchizoChat
That 1996 study said that there was a relationship “between the belief that a person is likely to be violent and the desire to maintain social distance from that person.” So we are being driven from society based on this stigma #SchizoChat
I’ve had people literally lean away from me and assume a protective stance (unknowingly, by crossing their arms and, if sitting, legs) or look to the exits when I tell them I have schizo. Even trained psychiatrists. #SchizoChat
So how do you decrease stigma? Dr. Fuller Torrey says that we need to support attempts to decrease violence in general. Treat people with mental illness (duh), make it less likely for folks in general to commit violent acts (gun control, etc.) #SchizoChat
If mental illness, especially #schizophrenia, is so associated with violence, could we #EndTheStigma by simply calling it something else? Evidence points to yes! #SchizoChat
The Japanese Society of Psychiatry and Neurology officially changed the term for schizophrenia from Seishin-Bunretsu-Byo (“mind-split-disease”) to Togo-Shitcho-Sho (“integration disorder”) in the 2000s. #SchizoChat
immature remark: Shitcho looks like shitshow and that's a pretty accurate description of my schizo self haha
Changing the name of schizophrenia significantly reduced the likelihood that folks associated it with criminality! #SchizoChat
There’s been a movement in the United States to do the same—to change #schizophrenia to a term like Haslam’s disease or Pinel’s disease after two men who formally described schizophrenia. #SchizoChat
So why do I still use these terms? Other than the obvious (in general we still use these terms, I’ve been diagnosed with these terms) I want to lessen the stigma of the terms themselves. Show everyone the reality of schizo, reclaim it for good #SchizoChat
Schizophrenia and other schizo-type illnesses are major disorders (for more info see our first #SchizoChat here:)
Because schizo-type disorders can impair folks’ ability to function in society, many of the negative stigma about the illness makes assumptions about patients’ abilities to cope, leading to pity (at best) and discrimination (at worst) #SchizoChat
Try googling “can schizophrenic people…” and see what the recommended searches are. They are often things like “be in a relationship,” “have a job,” “live on their own.” #SchizoChat
The truth of the matter is that many schizo patients cannot. And that is totally okay. Assuming this of all patients, however, can further the stigma. #SchizoChat
It can make employers less likely to hire schizophrenic people, psychologists less likely to even try to help patients, potential dates unwilling to date you once they know you are schizo, etc. #SchizoChat
And honestly, it’s not really hard to see why it’s hard for schizo patients to date. I wouldn’t really want to swipe left (right? Whichever one means no, I’m not on Tinder) on someone who says “I’m psychotic” in their bio. Yet schizo-type patients are psychotic. #SchizoChat
Would you date someone you knew was schizophrenic? Be honest, you aren't hurting my feelings. I *have* schizo and if I saw a dating profile saying "oh and I'm psychotic" I would definitely say NOPE
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Shout-out to my fiancé here, as he knew all about my illness before we started dating and yet dated me anyway. It’s super nice to have someone who understands what is going on and is willing to help you through all the crazy shit. #SchizoChat
Assuming schizo patients can’t do things or that we are beyond help is a HUGE PROBLEM. We are less likely to get jobs, more likely to need federal assistance, less likely to have homes, more likely to be incarcerated. #SchizoChat
The cycle perpetuates itself. We start to feel like we are broken because society tells us we are, we are more likely to get depressed, our executive function slips, we are more likely to appear broken… #SchizoChat
One man in Dr. Fuller Torrey’s Surviving Schizophrenia book states “I just can’t make it out there… I’m just like a leper in their eyes…They are either afraid or they hate us…I don’t belong. They know it and I know it.” #SchizoChat
This has definitely been the case for me. The executive dysfunction sets in, I start getting more withdrawn, I go out less, I get more nervous around people, I feel like more of an outsider, I get more depressed, the dysfunction gets worse… #SchizoChat
As you can imagine, this impact of stigma is a bad thing. And, not to toot my own horn, but I’m a scientist with one of the most prestigious scientific fellowships in the world. I live on my own, I’m engaged. I shouldn’t be made to feel broken. #SchizoChat
There are definitely some “good” stereotypes too—assumptions people make about schizo folks that aren’t all bad. I often hear that we are more creative! #SchizoChat
While neurodiversity can definitely contribute to neat perspectives that translate into creative art, it’s important to remember that that isn’t always the case. In my case, schizo took away my ability to do art—I just don’t have the energy now #SchizoChat
Does your mental illness make *you* more creative? Let me know! I'm curious to see if people's perceptions (from above poll) match folks' lived realities. #SchizoChat
Plus assuming mental illness makes us creative starts to lead to the odd situation where we will encourage folks not to medicate so that we don’t “lose our creativity.” My mom tells me this constantly. #SchizoChat
Again, it isn’t the meds that made me lose my creativity—the psychosis and executive dysfunction is absolutely exhausting. #SchizoChat
Mentally ill people (or anyone) shouldn’t be made to suffer so that they can create art for you to enjoy! #SchizoChat
I'm intrigued to see if people associate schizophrenia with creativity as often as they associate mental illness with creativity in general:
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So, who believes all these stereotypes about schizo and other mental illnesses. If it is just some rando online, does the stigma even matter? #SchizoChat
The problem is that it is, well, a lot of people. Friends and family may perpetuate the stigma, inadvertently providing poor care or even abusing the mentally ill. This can really suck (check out this poll): #SchizoChat
Employers may fire people who are mentally ill (even though they shouldn’t be able to fire on basis of a disability, by law!). Tenants may refuse rent. #SchizoChat
One of the most problematic, in my opinion, is that health providers often perpetuate the stigma. #SchizoChat
Studies have shown that schizophrenic patients are less likely to receive health care—not mental health care alone but also physical health care! #SchizoChat
Medical malpractice is a leading cause of death for schizophrenic patients because health care providers often assume our symptoms are the result of our mental illness, not a physical problem like a heart attack! #SchizoChat
This has happened to me. I was very ill, but when the doctor saw on my chart that I had schizo she instead tried to act as though my symptoms were from schizo (and told me to stop eating gluten?) #SchizoChat
I had to stop her and demand blood work. And, it turns out, I was having an autoimmune reaction—my immune system was attacking my organs. If I hadn’t demanded work she wouldn’t have even bothered to treat me. #SchizoChat
I can demand blood work because I am white, middle class, educated, and confident. What would have happened to a schizo patient who wasn’t those things? #SchizoChat
Plus, remember that schizo is associated with violence. What if the doctor had decided that I was being too violent in asserting I needed bloodwork? Would she have called the police? #SchizoChat
You may say “well a medical doctor probably doesn’t understand schizophrenia, we should just train them better about mental health disorders!” yet trained mental health professionals often perpetuate the stigma as well. #SchizoChat
I’ve been told repeatedly that I am “above the paygrade” of mental health professionals. That I am “untreatable.” That I should “check into an institution if I want help.” It took me four months to find a psychologist when I moved. #SchizoChat
I went to university counseling for depression when I was in a bad spiral. I just wanted help for depression, my psychosis is under control (relatively). They said they couldn’t treat me but would try until I found an (expensive) professional. #SchizoChat
Yet even then their “treatment” has been super shitty (as I frequently complain about on this site). They constantly ask me if I’m feeling violent, even though I have never once mentioned that. I’m not a violent person. #SchizoChat
They constantly ask me why I haven’t dropped out of school. Again, I am here on the most prestigious fellowship my university offers. I have a lifetime 4.0 GPA. I bring in tons of grant money. Why would they ask me why I hadn’t dropped out? #SchizoChat
I was sad my pet has cancer. They asked me if I could find someone to give my pets to because “someone with my condition can’t take care of pets.” It SUCKS to hear that from people who are supposed to be helping you. #SchizoChat
Side note: pets have been SUPER helpful for me as I deal with my schizo, especially the depression end. I’m getting more pets. #SchizoChat
And GODS FORBID I mention I would like to be a parent. I’m immediately bombarded with “well, not everyone can be parents,” “what if you pass it on?,” “you couldn’t take care of a kid” etc. etc. By professional mental health providers. #SchizoChat
They aren't alone in sharing this opinion about parenthood (although thank you "yes"s, you give me hope)!
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These responses are not an experience unique to me. Lots of schizo folks experience stigma from mental health providers. It is a BIG DEAL #EndTheStigma #SchizoChat
What is the shittiest thing a mental health care provider has ever said to you? Let me know!
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So, stigma against mental illness, especially schizo-type illnesses, is bad. It has a major impact, we know this. How do we stop it? Join the conversation!
#EndTheStigma #SchizoChat
#EndTheStigma #SchizoChat
I’m basically out of time (I’ll do another #SchizoChat on this topic later) but I’ll leave you with a few thoughts:
To #EndTheStigma we need to educate people. Teach them about the realities of mental illness, especially #schizophrenia and other schizo-type illnesses. And not just the public—doctors and researchers as well! #SchizoChat
To #EndTheStigma we need to change the way we talk about mental illness—with each other, on social media, in public media, in newspapers, in response to tragedies, etc. #SchizoChat
To #EndTheStigma we need to provide better care for the mentally ill. We need to give them they resources that they need to live their best possible lives. #SchizoChat
To #EndTheStigma we need to provide a better community for the mentally ill. We need to be able to see each other, to know we aren’t alone, to cheer each other’s successes and prop each other up when we struggle. #SchizoChat
I know that calling for a visible community of the mentally ill from an anonymous twitter account is ironic, by the way, but that stigma is intense and I really like my job. #SchizoChat
If you are curious, though, I study bird development. Good luck! #SchizoChat
I am trying to find ways to provide a more visible community to patients suffering from schizo-type illnesses (#schizophrenia, #schizoaffective disorder, etc.). If you consider yourself part of this community what would you find helpful? #SchizoChat
I’m planning a resources website with links to helpful folks/other websites, a running blog (it will literally just be my #SchizoChats in blog form because I have no spare time), and links to cool merch to #EndTheStigma
I’m also looking out for other outlets where I can share my experiences, such as other social media accounts, video, journalists, etc. Know someone who can do a better job spreading my story? Please let me know how to contact them! #SchizoChat
And in the meantime, I will keep #SchizoChat-ting. I’m trying to reach as large an audience as I possibly can, so please share the fun facts you have learned, the tweets I send, these threads, etc.
I’ve had some great suggestions for future #SchizoChat-s. Let me know what topics you would like to see (and if you notice I’m not addressing yours check back in with me, my short-term memory is shot and I forgot to write some down I know).
Sorry that I haven’t been doing a good job keeping up with notifications! I’m behind today so I’m typing these all as I go. Whoopsies. #SchizoChat
That ends our #SchizoChat! I’ll see you next week same time same place if I have the energy, if not it’ll be the week after. I’ll let you know either way!
Hey @threadreaderapp could you unroll this thread please?
@threadreaderapp Here it is as a shareable HTML: threadreaderapp.com/thread/1192230…
