There are many quotes and sayings about schizophrenia. Some are philosophical, while some attempt to throw some light on the different facets of this much misunderstood and often stigmatized mental illness. Like Emilie Autumn said, “Oh, and I certainly don’t suffer from schizophrenia. I quite enjoy it. And so do I.” – there is a lot more than the looks of the eye to this illness.
Contrary to common belief, not everyone who suffers from schizophrenia is a homicidal maniac (thanks to Hollywood movies) or a suicidal pathetic person who cannot stop self-pitying himself. On the contrary, the majority of the people who suffer from schizophrenia are quite little incapacitated by it – provided they take their medicines properly and timely. In fact, very often this illness makes them more sensitive to other people’s pain and concerns.
What Is Schizophrenia?
Most people are scared of this disease because they feel that this type of mental illness comes with great personal stigma, and an acute inability to cope with life. Just as Etienne de L’Amour put it, “He had been diagnosed as suffering from atypical schizophrenia. Lord, how he hated that awful-sounding label. It conjured up visions of some deranged maniac escaped from a secure mental hospital.” – people tend to believe that the nature of the schizophrenic is to generally kill, destroy plunder etc. There is nothing further from truth – in fact, many who live and take care of a schizophrenic find that the person is much kinder, the mind more alert (when taking regular medication) and more caring in nature.
Another facet of the mental illness that is common to all types of schizophrenia is hallucination. As Thomas Szasz put it, “If you talk to God, you are praying; If God talks to you, you have schizophrenia”. This quote points to the fact that most schizophrenics tend to hallucinate – especially about hearing voices.
Hearing and seeing something that is not true or does not exist, is possible. It is also treatable. You need to first accept that you have a problem and then work towards eliminate it totally – which most schizophrenics do with great success.
