Well I just thought i would write this up here because it really annoys me. My friends were having a conversation about psychology and schizophrenia soon came up. They sort of know my worries about schizophrenia/psychosis but obviously don't understand. They don't know much about it.
One of them, lets just call her R, said about her sister who was apparently "hunted down" by a "schizophrenic friend" who was trying to kill her. I don't know if this is true or if she was schizophrenic, but i asked R why, and she said, "because she is schizophrenic". I told her that schizophrenics are no more violent than the average person, but none of them believed me. Then L said "only when they listen to the voices". At this point I could've face-palmed. Not all schizophrenics here voices! Not all voices are bad! Not everyone acts out on the voices...!
But they just don't get it. I hate this. This is why stigma is still alive.
When i broke down and told people about my worries (i couldn't stand keeping it in) they acted like they cared. But now they just act like i'm going to flip out or something...or call me psycho (they don't even know what psychotic means). i'm more likely going to kill myself than anyone else. It feels like they don't trust me anymore.

Meh, sorry about that. Just had to get it out.

I agree that there is stigma surrounding schizophrenia regarding violence. However, there are some cases where there is violence as a result of this illness (likewise with other illnesses I'm sure). I met and became friends with a girl in the psych hospital who had schizophrenia, and had tried to kill her brother as a direct result of the illness.

So while I agree that it's wrong to generalize and stigmatize an illness, we do also have to acknowledge the possible dangers of schizophrenia and other mental illnesses too. I personally think that those of us with mental illness are more likely to be a danger to ourselves though, not others. This is why treatment is so important!

**Just wanted to add too, in response to brookwest's post, that I agree there is definitely a difference between a violent crime committed by someone who is mentally ill (schizophrenia or something else), and someone who is "mentally stable" and commits a violent crime.**

I've never believed that there are "sane" perpetrators of violence. I mean, modern gangster rapers use violence in their raps, and no-one is accusing them of being dangerous. They are celebrated as heros. Some poor broken hearted chump loses his or her grip on reality, and,wow, they are the ultimate bad guy. They can't fight back, and they can't explain why they did something mean. One person who has a diagnosis of schizophrenia commits to a crime, all schizophrenics are dangerous. Well, that sounds familiar. Like all african americans need to be "civilized by us superior europeans." Racism and sexism and elitism they all justify looking down on groups of people who can't fight back. They are bullies. Nothing more or less.

I agree, it just annoys me when people think they know everything but they have no idea. After all, it's easier to regard something as "crazy" or "violent" instead of putting yourself in their shoes :/ apparently

[*freak*]

Originally Posted by WelcomeToTheJungle

After all, it's easier to regard something as "crazy" or "violent" instead of putting yourself in their shoes :/ apparently

It's not just that, it's simply that most people are ignorant. They don't think for themselves and they don't bother to research things. TV portrays schizophrenics as violent? ---> Schizophrenics are violent. The media say muslims are an uncivilised mess of barbaric arabs whose sole purpose in life is to destroy the USA? ---> Muslims are dangerous. In action movies you see the hero running out of a building with a fireball chasing him and exploding as soon as he's 2 meters away from the entrance? Well, I'll bet money if you ask the average person about it, they'd tell you that why, of course you can run faster than a developing explosion

It sucks, but most people are prejudiced against not just schizophrenia but mental illness in general. And not just that. In a way I envy them. Their world and their lives must be so simple, devoid of the ruinous effort of thinking too hard

I'm sorry you were treated this way by your friends I know the feeling. What I do when a conversation like that starts, is I up and leave. Why bother.

[Sapphire2012]

Sorry to hear you had to go through this experience. There are people out there who can look past the label and she the person.

[faerie_moon_x]

Like others have said, the stigma is there because when do you ever hear about schizophrenic people? When one of them has done something violent.

My cousin has schizophrenia and sadly he does have the violent streak. As long as he's medicated he is okay, but he was never able to work due to issues with people having authority. He is now in his 60s and hasn't had any trouble since being diagnosed and medicated, and is a great person.

It is the same with all mental illness. If you're "bipolar" you're making an excuse because everyone can be happy one day then sad the next. Or if you're depressed you just need to "suck it up." And of course ADD is obviously an excuse for letting your kids run wild... It is unfortunate but we all suffer under the stigmas of society.

[Harley47]

I knew a Cadet who was listed as schizophrenic in his files, and he was without question the brightest, most dedicated LET 1 (entry level) Cadet under my command. He was an eye opener for me.

Unfortunately, as said, the only time most people ever hear about schizophrenia is when it's reported over the news or featured in some movie. Ignorance fosters ignorance.

Don't let them get you down. Next time they bring it up, point out the schizophrenic in your group of friends is the only one smart enough to not speak about what isn't understood.

My brother has it and has done since the age of 18 (now 46) He can be violent with it but is a very clever person, He gets very aggressive but can be very loving too, These people who don't understand the illness aren't worth it and let's hope they don't have to face it in their life time.