Hi Ben Peterson---Yup, my mom was a Paranoid Schizophrenic. I loved her with all my heart; but I know she was not a good influence.

I actually used to get inside her mind as a small child--so confusing in there.

Then all the fears in my 20's 30's and 40's that i was going to be like her.

I am not. 40 years of therapy, CBT, alot of research and alot of abusive relationships/
later, I am reasonably certain that I will be okay-----so will you!!--keep up the therapy, and eventually you'll find, the stigma will be okay with you---hugs--theo