Voices: Living with Schizophrenia | WebMD

Summary

In this video, Michelle Hammer, who has schizophrenia, shares her journey with the mental illness, explaining its symptoms and effects. She breaks down schizophrenia into positive, negative, and cognitive categories, highlighting her experiences with hallucinations, delusions, and paranoia. Despite the challenges, medication and therapy help her manage the condition. Michelle emphasizes the stigma around mental health, advocating for open conversations. She founded Schizophrenic NYC to raise awareness and reduce the stigma, encouraging others to seek help, stay consistent with treatment, and embrace their mental health journey.

Takeaways

• 🧠 Schizophrenia is a mental illness that affects thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, with symptoms categorized into positive, negative, and cognitive types.
• 🔍 Positive symptoms include hallucinations, delusions, and hearing voices, which add to a person's behavior.
• 😔 Negative symptoms involve a loss of normal functioning, such as reduced emotional expression and social withdrawal.
• 📚 Cognitive symptoms make it difficult to concentrate, focus, and process information.
• 💊 Medication and proper diagnosis are essential for managing schizophrenia, and finding the right treatment can take years.
• 👩‍⚕️ Support from friends, family, and mental health professionals is crucial in managing symptoms and preventing isolation.
• 🚶‍♀️ Living with schizophrenia in a city can be challenging due to the voices and paranoia, but medication helps in maintaining a balanced perspective.
• 👕 Michelle Hammer created a clothing line to raise awareness about schizophrenia and reduce the stigma around mental illness.
• 💬 Open discussions about mental health, sharing experiences, and educating others can help reduce the stigma surrounding conditions like schizophrenia.
• ❤️ People with schizophrenia can live fulfilling lives and contribute positively to society with the right support and understanding.

Q & A

What is schizophrenia, according to Michelle Hammer?

Schizophrenia is a mental illness that changes the way you think, feel, and act. It is divided into three categories: positive symptoms (e.g., hallucinations and delusions), negative symptoms (e.g., lack of emotion), and cognitive symptoms (e.g., difficulty focusing).

What are some examples of positive symptoms in schizophrenia?

Positive symptoms include hallucinations, delusions, and hearing voices, which are additions to normal behavior rather than 'good' symptoms.

How did Michelle Hammer's schizophrenia first manifest?

Her first symptom was zoning out and thinking she was in a different place. Later, she experienced voices in her head and paranoia, such as thinking her mother was trying to hurt her.

How does Michelle Hammer manage her schizophrenia?

Michelle takes seven daily medications: six in the morning to help her focus and one at night to help her sleep. She also sees a psychiatrist every other week to discuss her mood.

What did Michelle realize after attending college?

In college, Michelle initially thought she was free from her mother’s perceived threat but later developed the same paranoid thoughts about her best friend. This helped her realize that she had a problem.

How was Michelle's diagnosis of schizophrenia confirmed?

Michelle was first diagnosed as bipolar at 18, but at 22, she spoke to a new doctor, was more honest, and was finally diagnosed with schizophrenia.

What is Michelle Hammer's view on the stigma surrounding mental illness?

Michelle believes that if more people openly discussed their mental illnesses, the stigma would decrease. She emphasizes that mental illness is very common, and there shouldn't be so much stigma around it.

What motivated Michelle Hammer to start her clothing line?

Michelle started her clothing line after seeing a homeless schizophrenic person who behaved like her. She realized that without the support of her friends, family, and doctors, she could be in his position. Her business aims to raise awareness about mental illness and reduce stigma.

What advice does Michelle Hammer give for handling someone in a mental health crisis?

Michelle advises never to tell the person they are wrong or dismiss their feelings. Instead, be sympathetic and encourage them to seek professional help.

What is Michelle's message to those with schizophrenia who struggle with medication?

Michelle stresses the importance of continuing to take medication even after feeling better. She had to accept that she needs medication to manage her condition and advises others not to stop their medication prematurely.