me again.

In my situation, I don't want to fall into the trap of "oh, but its "really" Bipolar!," thus reinforcing the idea that those labeled with 'Schizophrenia' are somehow a subhuman species.

At the same time, Schizophrenia isn't just a label, a diagnosis. To be Schizophrenic in the age of de-institutionalization is a social role, one usually involving poverty and lack of control over one's life.

I have more control over my life than a lot of "mental patients" because of my people. They worked really, really hard, and now they're not rich, but they're not middle class, either.

I'm not trying to brag or turn all Marxist and super class-conscious or anything, I'm just saying that because I'm considered "uppity" simply by living the way I'm living. I'm not living large by any means, but I have freedom and free time and, basically, I live in a way that is conducive to recovery from --severe-- psychosis.

So, yeah. Labels. Power. Stigma. Invalidation of entire groups of human beings by the "helping professions." Fun times.