One of the often-quoted symptoms of paranoid schizophrenia is a loss of touch with reality. However, it is important to stress that the person living with schizophrenia and currently struggling with its symptoms still perceives the world in a way that is convincing to them and can even make sense to them. The LEAP Method … Read more

There are various ways that stigma against someone living with paranoid schizophrenia can arise. Many people are scared of the diagnosis itself. The words “paranoid schizophrenia” evoke fear in a person who often does not even know what they mean. They may think they know, due perhaps to watching movies, TV Shows, and reading novels … Read more

A common symptom of schizophrenia is auditory hallucinations. Auditory hallucinations happen when you hear voices or noises that aren’t there. The sounds you hear may seem real, but they’re not. It’s essential to include noises that are not imitating human speech. In other words, “hearing voices” is too restrictive, albeit accurate in describing some auditory … Read more

A common symptom of schizophrenia is visual hallucinations. Visual hallucinations happen when you see people or objects that aren’t there or when your visual perception of people and things that are real is distorted or warped, hence the image above. The visual sensations you experience may seem real, but they’re not. It’s essential to include … Read more

Ageism, or agism, is discrimination against individuals or groups based on age. The term was coined in 1969 by Robert Neil Butler to describe discrimination against seniors. Butler defined “ageism” as a combination of three connected elements. Initially, it was identified chiefly towards older people, old age, and the aging process; discriminatory practices against older … Read more

In the first post for this blog, I encouraged mental health consumers to write about their psychological and psychiatric experiences. One application of this habit is to help you to recognize the repetition of symptoms that, in the past, have led to a relapse. In the case of the paranoid schizophrenia I live with, I … Read more

I keep a mental health diary to help me navigate the symptoms of living with paranoid schizophrenia and as a tool to prevent me from repeating mistakes in my approach to periods of challenging mental health. I also maintain several diaries keeping track of those aspects of my life that have nothing to do with … Read more

In this blog post, I will briefly discuss my approach to writing about schizophrenia and psychosis, mental health, and family and relationships that culminated in my novel “The Overlife, A Tale Of Schizophrenia.” As I mentioned in another blog post, I have kept a mental health diary for a long time. The diary grew out … Read more

The image is a free download by geralt on Pixabay; see this link. Today, October 10, 2023, is World Mental Health Day. World Mental Health Day takes place every year on October 10. This year’s theme is “Mental Health Is A Universal Human Right.” This concept emphasizes the necessity of assuring that everyone, regardless of … Read more

If you are listening to my Podcast: “Schizophrenia As I Live It, Part 1,”  which accompanies my novel “The Overlife, A Tale Of Schizophrenia,” then I have some news for you! First of all, my novel is published. For example, my book’s Kindle and Paperback format is now available on amazon.com. More information is on … Read more