And this is a very valid strategy. I am far from suggesting that everyone be open about their mental illness. I wish for those that can safely talk about it do, but also keeping parts of it from people for any reason, safety or otherwise, is valid as well. And if its easier, that’s valid too. Hang in there, you’re not alone in this (and this comment has a few likes so you’re DEFINITELY not the only one!)
The media has a lot of responsibility for causing much of the stigma. Thank you for showing everyone how people with serious mental disorders can have a good life.
It’s so good to see that there are people out there who do not have to live a double life. My parents and my sister know that I’m sick and that’s it. I can’t tell anyone because I’m too scared of the stigma. I lost so many people because of my disease and the pain is just too much for me.
And I’m in no way advocating for outing yourself (or anyone else here) to everyone. Believe me, there are people in my own life that I keep the vast majority of this illness from. I wouldn’t mind if they found the channel, it is public of course, but not everyone in my life knows I’m schizo, and that’s okay. I don’t say it all because its easier, or it;s for my own safety. Keeping it to yourself for any reason is totally valid. Stay strong, and even if you’re secretive about it, there are a bunch of us cheering you on from the sidelines, some of them hiding as well
I also suffer with schizoaffective disorder,bioploar 1.I have been on medication for in 24 years.I got unwell at 19 years old,42 years old now.Loving your video's great video content.very informative.love ya Tasha.❤❤❤🎉🎉🎉🎉❤❤❤🎉
I’m a disabled person I’m so glad that you make these videos. My heart goes out to people as you because you go to a struggle each day but you look for the good and that is great. I’m a big fan. Take care. Thank you again for your videos.
I must say thank you. I think making that stigma known is the best way to lessen it and help others get help. Thank you for standing out. Peace and Unity!
OCD, MDD, ADHD, CPTSD, and everyone's favorite - ASPD here. I am open about everything in person other than ASPD. By being open about mental illness, I make it easier for those who are not able to express it. Keep being you, your channel is needed. My OCD vacillates. Sometimes it is debilitating, usually it is not. My MDD is relentless. I go from seriously depressed to horrifically depressed, even with treatment. I am going to be trying ketamine treatment. ~fingers crossed~ My ADHD was not diagnosed until late in life, and that sucks. The earlier you find treatment for ADHD, the better. CPTSD, unlike the above described acronyms, is a "gifted" diagnosis. It severely effects me on a daily basis. My ASPD is of the sociopathic type. It is also a "gifted" diagnosis. Knowing I have ASPD gives me the tools I need to minimize it's effect. I'm tired.
I sympathize with your symptoms, since I had MDD and agoraphobia / sociophobia, lack of motivation. I know it's something very hard to get rid of. If you get rid of it, then you might have some kind of stigma, depending on your circumstances and ppl around you. The stigma is very bad and unintelligent, as if people madeup their mind with you and want you to go back to that state. You are put into a box in their minds. You have to be strong to defeat the stigma as well. So first defeat the mental illness, then the stigma. The lack of motivation (apathy) is coming back a bit for me, I think from my brain's memories. Maybe I'm just lazy or getting mature (old), and nothing significant or drastically new is happening to me. But I'm nowhere near depression or agoraphobia, those are gone. I don't feel sad at all, I just feel a bit empty and as a nobody. Nobody gives a f**k about me, honestly. Which is deserved, because I didn't give a f**k about ppl. Yesterday I searched for a spiritual counselor, because of my apathy. I found one close to me, and I will call her on Monday. I don't think talking to a priest is good for me, because they would just inject me with going to church and Jesus and blablabla, your sins are forgiven by God. Okay they are free, but they don't get to know you or even care honestly. Useless going to a priest for a mentally ill. Talking to a friend is not good, because you risk of him/her telling everybody, therefore damaging your social life. Going to a doctor is also not good, because they try to help you in a scientific way. Also they might tell you, that your illness is incurable, which rather damages the patients self-esteem, the patient will believe it, therefore will not be healed. There are some good doctors though, but most doctors approaches your problems as a scientist. They give you drugs and brain scan and nasty sounding diagnoses. I don't think science has figured out the mind yet, most likely they never will. But with a good spiritual counselor, I can talk freely about my years of depression and psychotic episode, and even about my new soul that entered me or my previous soul who had terrible feelings. I can talk about it (like here in the youtube forum), the way I see it, not the priest, not the doctor, not the friend. I don't think the spiritual counselor will laugh at me, but maybe she will have something to say. Since she's spiritual, I don't have issues talking about such stuff. You cannot tell this to a priest, because he does not believe in it, not to the doctor, he would just give me more drugs. So I think a good spiritual counselor can help the best. Or your mom, but your mom will stay with you, cannot be 100% open. In your place, if you only believe in drug treatment, instead of ketamine treatment, I would rather try magic mushrooms. But only if you really think only some type of drug can help you. Nature is always better than man-made atrificial chemical, because you are playing with your brain, which is very-very complex. I have heard magic mushrooms, if taken with responsibility and in an intelligent way, can have mind-blowing healing capabilities. I wish you the best, even if I don't know you. To SchizoKitzo: If you couldn't be a plastic surgeon, why not just be a spiritual counselor, it would fit you perfectly.
@@horizonblack I have found one in my area, who I like, but if we do not have good chemistry, I have found another one, who I also like and looks very understanding and spiritual. But I think the first one will be good, who knows. Both are women, mothers, middle aged and look very spiritual and understanding on their homepages. People to whom I am most likely to open my heart and speak. Well, if I do not forget, I will share my experiences here. I just want tell my past and present problems to someone who can view me in a spiritual sense, open minded, maybe give a good advise or support, maybe some magic even, and does not view me as a scientist (doctor) or religiously (priest), the latter have tunnel vision I believe. The doctor only believes his scientific books and CT scan, for the priest the Bible is holy. Neither of them can heal. But if you decide to do drugs, then magic mushrooms, dont do ketamine. But first maybe try a spiritual advisor. I will do. I just have apathy thats all. I think the maker of this video could be a good spiritual counselor. P.S.: Apart from my mild apathy and mild disinterest in my life and my people, my problem is that I am too much into researching psychosis and schizophrenia. I am too much interested, I spend so much of my free time, reading books about past lives, going mad, catatonia, shadow people, various treatments...etc. I have experienced it, and it was the most horrifying "adventure" of my life, maybe that's why, I want to understand it completely, get to the roots of it. But why am I less interested in cars, money, parties, women? That's also a problem, my thoughts revolve too much about this topic, which is interesting, how to cure mental illness, but still I wish my thoughts were more about my current situation and current stuff, not this hocus-pocus. Maybe if I can tell the spiritual advisor (who is probably already immune to this, won't upset her)all my shit, then it comes out of me and it will be released, so much less interest I will have in this I hope.
Heyyy, Kit! I'm 34 and I have bipolar type 1. I live a fulfilling life for 6 years now (the years before are another story..) Stay strong ❤ PS you are beaaautifuuuuuul 😍😍
This is such an important video and I'm glad you made it. Stigma is such a terrible and powerful thing (something I'm unfortunately all too familiar with due to the stigma that exists around the trans community). So it was great to see you break down the misconceptions that feed the stigma around mental illness. In particular, it was really great to hear you talk about how people aren't always having episodes or experiencing the acute phase of their mental illness 24/7, because so many people seem to have that mistaken impression. Education is such an important way to eliminate existing stigma and prevent future stigma from developing. So thank you for educating us (not just in this video, but with your whole channel.) Especially since many schools don't do a proper job of it. What you're doing here helps so much. I also love that you talked about how our understanding of mental illness has evolved over time - and how far we've come at not only understanding it, but also helping people manage/treat it. It's really easy to focus on how far we still have to go - and clearly, with all the stigma still out there, we do have a long road ahead - but I don't think enough people stop to celebrate the wins of how far we've come. So thank you for doing that. It was awesome to hear how your own life with schizoaffective disorder is a fulfilling one, and the advice you gave to others with serious mental illness was really encouraging. Thank you so much for making and sharing this. :) (Also I love how Beesling got super excited about everything you were saying & went "I MUST HELP" XD that was great)
Beesling was there for the content haha. She and I TOTALLY planned that… yeah…. *sweats* Thanks for all the feedback GC! It was a hard video to tackle, and I waffled with wording for so long, but it seems I got my point across! I hate that you have to deal with stigma in the trans community…. It’s everywhere and I hate it :( I hope to keep helping for many more years, rock on!
You are so beautiful and lovely to watch.I love your outfit and cozy environment with 🐝 and candles.I’m happy your happy.it brought tears to my eyes watching this.I have schizophrenia anc had voices 24/7 for eight years.then better a while then delusional.better again now thankfully.thank you for your videos.💕
As someone else who struggles with schizoaffective disorder my disorganized thought patterns make articulation difficult when trying to explain a complex idea and my moods make me want to isolate, but I try, as a Buddhist, to take the suffering of those who are more deeply suffering with their own suffering, and I am sorry to say that they are out there and cannot function well enough to take a greater role in society. I am fortunate to see the potential in any adverse condition, as a Buddhist, in a difficult world. It’s the refuge of my faith . It is difficult for me to see others unfairly stigmatized others who suffer and need others to be more compassionate towards their conditions. I am the offspring of a previous generation that left unresolved issues around mental health issues. It saddens me to know that for some their issues will never be resolved simply for the fact they don’t, because of the possible backlash of stigma and or society‘s inability to acknowledge the elephant in the room, recognize the issues before them.
I love how much Buddhism has helped you with your condition! I have sought out my own spirituality that works and it makes a huge difference. Society can be horrible. Thanks for sharing this, Mark!
I remember that when I was 15, I had my first hallucinations. I was talking to my girlfriend at the time and suddenly I felt very anxious and started hearing footsteps in my room. I told my girlfriend about this and she wrote back, “I don't understand what you're talking about. You're really scaring me." and she left the conversation. It was very painful. She really had no idea about mental illness and that hurt.
That old definition of mental disorders as reactions is actually very applicable in my case as all of my mood episodes happened as a reaction to various stresses I've experienced. My first manic episode happened to me as a reaction to not being able to compete in a highly competitive and difficult college. Long story short, my English was not good enough for social studies and my IQ was not high enough for natural sciences, so that ended in me crashing into depression and leaving the college. I wish I was honest when it comes to my scholastic aptitude when I was applying to the school, but that's another long story. As far as stigma goes, I take my meds, I'm extremely fat, slow, quiet, and I find that people are fine with that. When I was manic it was a different story. I guess people like peace and not stress that drama brings, and as long as you're "cool" you're fine. That's just some of my thoughts on this, thanks Kit and Beesling and Madame Bee
Just an apology, that statement about me not having good English for social studies and high enough IQ for natural sciences was really dumb and not well thought through, one needs both for either cases, so sorry if I offended anyone.
Awww the bees and I say thank you back! I’m glad you were able to share some of your story here, its so important! Peace is something I hope to achieve more of as I continue to live (stubbornly at that some days). Hang in there!
I dont have it that serious, just good ol BD II and BPD, and still i cant have any hope for my future. Yes it could be worse but still it is already terrible, every day is affected by it and i cant ever be a whole day in a good/okay mood, most of my days are spent in misery. I hope kit is right, i hope it really is worth it to keep going
Thank you for this channel, I am bipolar II and thanks to you and your videos, I feel so understood. Usually when I say I'm bipolar, I hear silence, pleople don't know what to say. Media created bipolar crazy-it's far from the truth..
You are amazing! Thank you for this video! I am grateful to follow you and that you share so openly about these things! You are valuable and loved! Lifestyle changes are underrated in their helpfulness…I recently got sober and have noted a significant decrease in psychosis symptoms and a better brain and body connection. I’m not saying that will help or work for everyone but it’s helpful for me.
Being sober worked wonders for me too! One of the best decisions I ever made. So same here, it might not work for everyone but it’s a good thing for me ^_^
I noticed that people generally have no clue what schizoaffective disorder is amd even tryeng to explain doesn‘t seem to work. I just tell them I‘m bipolar now leaving out the schizo part.
Yes, the stigma is very hard to get rid of, it takes time, sometimes years. If they see, that for a long time you are normal, they tend to forget it or at least give it a less significance. Act as average as you can. If you had some type of psychosis, don't wear black clothes like an emo, don't put on Iron Maiden T-Shirts or with death's head. Just wear the most average clothes, do the most average things (like hiking), live the most average life, nothing special, nothing outstanding, because ppl will then say, oh that's because of his mental illness. Don't post anything on social media in connection with violence or guns or paranormal stuff like shadow people or anything fishy. If you are 100% normal and 100% average and even a bit dull, people will just get bored of you and say, oh that's just another guy, like my neighbour, nothing special, there is nothing to fear. If they get bored of you, they talk less about you, therefore decreasing the stigma. I think time can take care of it. Just act normally for a long period (this may prove that you don't have mental issues), have a job (this may prove that you are intelligent enough to get and hold a job), travel like average people (this proves that you have the motivation to do things in your free time and you take care of your body's health at least on a basic level) and they will just regard you as healed. If you have a romantic relationship with a rather attractive partner or have a group of friends, that's a winner, because who would be attracted to an obviously mentally ill person. Most will regard you as 100% cured. Another thing is, don't bother what other people gossip about you, just enjoy yourself, if neccessary try to find new people and try to avoid speaking about your dark past. In your case though, it's different, because you make these videos, in my case, I try to sweep it under the rug as much as I can, that I had a psychotic break in 2017. Basically just don't do outrageous stuff, and live the most average, normal life and look like the the average Joe or average Jane, then the stigma of psychosis floats away into the abyss, we all know nothing lasts forever. Don't reinforce people in their belief, prove them wrong. Yes, I stepped into shit, this happened, it's in the past now for me, other ppl can have other problems as well. We are human. P.S.: Maybe if you regard yourself as still mentally ill, at least don't show it on social media, at least give a good impression to those people with whom you are not in personal contact anymore, ppl from your past. Therefore decreasing the stigma at least to those who you don't meet anymore. Maybe on facebook you have 500 "friends" but in reality you are in contact with like 10 ppl or in case of depression even less or even none. At least don't advertise it, because maybe one day you'll get over it, then you will profit from not advertising your illness. I wouldn't make videos like these, maybe if I was more attractive I could afford it :) Anyway I think I have made progress in decreasing the stigma of psychosis in this way.
I have your diagnosis and I have a substance abuse problem. I use sleep in place of drugs and my sleepiness is not caused by medication except in a mild way. I have been on heavily sedating meds before, most of my life, in fact and it nearly killed me because I couldn't get out of bed.
I live a lonely life I'll rather become a traveler in the desert at endless night this madness and so much suffering Death seems promising because why should I care to believe living until the moments end my last 7 seconds I'll be free. I am trying I do my treatment but I'm doing everything right but I am standing before a loneliness wondering why should I not turn off the game of life. I can say No as you said I can say No correct yes so I we can say No to this horrible existence. Or I can No to wanting to End this existence. Does anyone understand myself. I wish I at least had friends or someone all I have is Schizoaffective no one cares for me. Even my doctors
The life expectancy thing is something I try not to think about too much. For those with schizoaffective it’s 25 years. I’ll live as long as I can out of spite though
I stay armed because of the stigma, because where I live people believe if you hear voices, you must be demon posessed. I am terrified that I will have to protect myself, and I will. I struggle alot with psychosis, but I stay employed. I handle my shit. Just wish I had never gotten into hard drugs. I get alot of command hallucinations to hurt myself. But still fighting the good fight. There are actually people who want me dead, and it fuels my paranoia. Idk it's complicated...i am not sure but i am pretry sure these drug dealers that want me dead are invading my mind somehow...idk just can't keep my mouth shut when my friends start dying from the fetty they are putring in the drugs. Just pisses me off. This is my mind. They need to get out.
W/all due respect, Kit; please stop demeaning urself by saying that u r "mentally ill" or referring 2 bipolar disorder as a "mental illness" bc the "M.I." terms (i.e.: "mentally ill" & "mental illness(es)") r synonymous w/shame & stigma.. As some1 w/bipolar disorder, i deeply resent being called "mentally ill" & my condition as a "mental illness". BTW; r those whom r blind "visually I'll"? No. R those whom r deaf "hearing ill"? No. R those whom r paralyzed & confined 2 a wheelchair "physically ill"? No. Furthermore; those whom have Down's Syndrome r "developmentally disabled" (they were previously referred 2 as "mentally retarded" but that term was deemed "demeaning", "shameful", & "stigmatizing". Well; the "M.I." terms r also demeaning, shameful, & stigmatizing terminology). While I do accept my bipolar diagnosis; I'm NO MORE ILL than some1 who's blind (i.e.: "visually IMPAIRED"), deaf (i.e.: "hearing IMPAIRED", &/or paralyzed (i.e.: "physically IMPAIRED"). Furthermore; "treatment" (i.e.: psych meds) AGGRAVATED my condition. If u believe in the chemical imbalance philosophy, more power 2 u. I've been psych med-free since 1/1/2017 after 30+ different psych meds over 44 yrs (I'm 56; my DOB: 7/20/1967). The cumulative adverse effects from psych meds made me feel suicidal (not the condition itself). By going off psych meds, I ELIMINATED those suicidal feelings. W/that said; best 2 ya in whatever works 4 u.
I usually tell people that I have bipolar and leave the schizophrenia silent. It's better understood and less scary.
And this is a very valid strategy. I am far from suggesting that everyone be open about their mental illness. I wish for those that can safely talk about it do, but also keeping parts of it from people for any reason, safety or otherwise, is valid as well. And if its easier, that’s valid too. Hang in there, you’re not alone in this (and this comment has a few likes so you’re DEFINITELY not the only one!)
The media has a lot of responsibility for causing much of the stigma. Thank you for showing everyone how people with serious mental disorders can have a good life.
No problem Lisa!
It’s so good to see that there are people out there who do not have to live a double life. My parents and my sister know that I’m sick and that’s it. I can’t tell anyone because I’m too scared of the stigma. I lost so many people because of my disease and the pain is just too much for me.
And I’m in no way advocating for outing yourself (or anyone else here) to everyone. Believe me, there are people in my own life that I keep the vast majority of this illness from. I wouldn’t mind if they found the channel, it is public of course, but not everyone in my life knows I’m schizo, and that’s okay. I don’t say it all because its easier, or it;s for my own safety. Keeping it to yourself for any reason is totally valid. Stay strong, and even if you’re secretive about it, there are a bunch of us cheering you on from the sidelines, some of them hiding as well
@@SchizoKitzo ❤️❤️
The voice in my head tells me I’m in love.
I also have Skizoaffective disorder.
No meds baby !
21 years Alive.
I also suffer with schizoaffective disorder,bioploar 1.I have been on medication for in 24 years.I got unwell at 19 years old,42 years old now.Loving your video's great video content.very informative.love ya Tasha.❤❤❤🎉🎉🎉🎉❤❤❤🎉
I’m a disabled person I’m so glad that you make these videos. My heart goes out to people as you because you go to a struggle each day but you look for the good and that is great. I’m a big fan. Take care. Thank you again for your videos.
I must say thank you. I think making that stigma known is the best way to lessen it and help others get help. Thank you for standing out. Peace and Unity!
beesling loves you
SHE DOESSSSSSS
OCD, MDD, ADHD, CPTSD, and everyone's favorite - ASPD here. I am open about everything in person other than ASPD. By being open about mental illness, I make it easier for those who are not able to express it. Keep being you, your channel is needed.
My OCD vacillates. Sometimes it is debilitating, usually it is not.
My MDD is relentless. I go from seriously depressed to horrifically depressed, even with treatment. I am going to be trying ketamine treatment. ~fingers crossed~
My ADHD was not diagnosed until late in life, and that sucks. The earlier you find treatment for ADHD, the better.
CPTSD, unlike the above described acronyms, is a "gifted" diagnosis. It severely effects me on a daily basis.
My ASPD is of the sociopathic type. It is also a "gifted" diagnosis. Knowing I have ASPD gives me the tools I need to minimize it's effect.
I'm tired.
I sympathize with your symptoms, since I had MDD and agoraphobia / sociophobia, lack of motivation. I know it's something very hard to get rid of. If you get rid of it, then you might have some kind of stigma, depending on your circumstances and ppl around you. The stigma is very bad and unintelligent, as if people madeup their mind with you and want you to go back to that state. You are put into a box in their minds.
You have to be strong to defeat the stigma as well. So first defeat the mental illness, then the stigma.
The lack of motivation (apathy) is coming back a bit for me, I think from my brain's memories. Maybe I'm just lazy or getting mature (old), and nothing significant or drastically new is happening to me. But I'm nowhere near depression or agoraphobia, those are gone. I don't feel sad at all, I just feel a bit empty and as a nobody. Nobody gives a f**k about me, honestly.
Which is deserved, because I didn't give a f**k about ppl.
Yesterday I searched for a spiritual counselor, because of my apathy. I found one close to me, and I will call her on Monday.
I don't think talking to a priest is good for me, because they would just inject me with going to church and Jesus and blablabla, your sins are forgiven by God. Okay they are free, but they don't get to know you or even care honestly. Useless going to a priest for a mentally ill.
Talking to a friend is not good, because you risk of him/her telling everybody, therefore damaging your social life.
Going to a doctor is also not good, because they try to help you in a scientific way. Also they might tell you, that your illness is incurable, which rather damages the patients self-esteem, the patient will believe it, therefore will not be healed. There are some good doctors though, but most doctors approaches your problems as a scientist. They give you drugs and brain scan and nasty sounding diagnoses. I don't think science has figured out the mind yet, most likely they never will.
But with a good spiritual counselor, I can talk freely about my years of depression and psychotic episode, and even about my new soul that entered me or my previous soul who had terrible feelings. I can talk about it (like here in the youtube forum), the way I see it, not the priest, not the doctor, not the friend. I don't think the spiritual counselor will laugh at me, but maybe she will have something to say. Since she's spiritual, I don't have issues talking about such stuff. You cannot tell this to a priest, because he does not believe in it, not to the doctor, he would just give me more drugs.
So I think a good spiritual counselor can help the best. Or your mom, but your mom will stay with you, cannot be 100% open.
In your place, if you only believe in drug treatment, instead of ketamine treatment, I would rather try magic mushrooms. But only if you really think only some type of drug can help you.
Nature is always better than man-made atrificial chemical, because you are playing with your brain, which is very-very complex.
I have heard magic mushrooms, if taken with responsibility and in an intelligent way, can have mind-blowing healing capabilities.
I wish you the best, even if I don't know you.
To SchizoKitzo: If you couldn't be a plastic surgeon, why not just be a spiritual counselor, it would fit you perfectly.
@@gellande227 Good luck, I hope the spiritual advisor works well for you.
@@horizonblack
I have found one in my area, who I like, but if we do not have good chemistry, I have found another one, who I also like and looks very understanding and spiritual.
But I think the first one will be good, who knows.
Both are women, mothers, middle aged and look very spiritual and understanding on their homepages. People to whom I am most likely to open my heart and speak.
Well, if I do not forget, I will share my experiences here. I just want tell my past and present problems to someone who can view me in a spiritual sense, open minded, maybe give a good advise or support, maybe some magic even, and does not view me as a scientist (doctor) or religiously (priest), the latter have tunnel vision I believe. The doctor only believes his scientific books and CT scan, for the priest the Bible is holy. Neither of them can heal.
But if you decide to do drugs, then magic mushrooms, dont do ketamine. But first maybe try a spiritual advisor. I will do. I just have apathy thats all.
I think the maker of this video could be a good spiritual counselor.
P.S.: Apart from my mild apathy and mild disinterest in my life and my people, my problem is that I am too much into researching psychosis and schizophrenia. I am too much interested, I spend so much of my free time, reading books about past lives, going mad, catatonia, shadow people, various treatments...etc. I have experienced it, and it was the most horrifying "adventure" of my life, maybe that's why, I want to understand it completely, get to the roots of it. But why am I less interested in cars, money, parties, women? That's also a problem, my thoughts revolve too much about this topic, which is interesting, how to cure mental illness, but still I wish my thoughts were more about my current situation and current stuff, not this hocus-pocus.
Maybe if I can tell the spiritual advisor (who is probably already immune to this, won't upset her)all my shit, then it comes out of me and it will be released, so much less interest I will have in this I hope.
I’m tired too
This cuts so close to home, Kit. Thank you.
Glad to help, Roy!
Very needed video! ❤
Heck yeah, MJ, thanks!
Thank you for your videos! I have a very similar condition (bipolar with psychosis) and your positive way of thinking about life helps a lot!
I unable to work
What to do
Heyyy, Kit! I'm 34 and I have bipolar type 1. I live a fulfilling life for 6 years now (the years before are another story..)
Stay strong ❤
PS you are beaaautifuuuuuul 😍😍
This is such an important video and I'm glad you made it.
Stigma is such a terrible and powerful thing (something I'm unfortunately all too familiar with due to the stigma that exists around the trans community). So it was great to see you break down the misconceptions that feed the stigma around mental illness. In particular, it was really great to hear you talk about how people aren't always having episodes or experiencing the acute phase of their mental illness 24/7, because so many people seem to have that mistaken impression.
Education is such an important way to eliminate existing stigma and prevent future stigma from developing. So thank you for educating us (not just in this video, but with your whole channel.) Especially since many schools don't do a proper job of it. What you're doing here helps so much.
I also love that you talked about how our understanding of mental illness has evolved over time - and how far we've come at not only understanding it, but also helping people manage/treat it. It's really easy to focus on how far we still have to go - and clearly, with all the stigma still out there, we do have a long road ahead - but I don't think enough people stop to celebrate the wins of how far we've come. So thank you for doing that.
It was awesome to hear how your own life with schizoaffective disorder is a fulfilling one, and the advice you gave to others with serious mental illness was really encouraging. Thank you so much for making and sharing this. :)
(Also I love how Beesling got super excited about everything you were saying & went "I MUST HELP" XD that was great)
Beesling was there for the content haha. She and I TOTALLY planned that… yeah…. *sweats*
Thanks for all the feedback GC! It was a hard video to tackle, and I waffled with wording for so long, but it seems I got my point across! I hate that you have to deal with stigma in the trans community…. It’s everywhere and I hate it :(
I hope to keep helping for many more years, rock on!
thanks for the video
Thanks so much for saying so, Robert!
good video kitz!
Thanks, Robert!
You are so beautiful and lovely to watch.I love your outfit and cozy environment with 🐝 and candles.I’m happy your happy.it brought tears to my eyes watching this.I have schizophrenia anc had voices 24/7 for eight years.then better a while then delusional.better again now thankfully.thank you for your videos.💕
awww thank you so so so much! I appreciate this comment. Bees and fake candles together are my new obsession, so warm! Hang in there!
yes more videos like this please
Will do!
As someone else who struggles with schizoaffective disorder my disorganized thought patterns make articulation difficult when trying to explain a complex idea and my moods make me want to isolate, but I try, as a Buddhist, to take the suffering of those who are more deeply suffering with their own suffering, and I am sorry to say that they are out there and cannot function well enough to take a greater role in society. I am fortunate to see the potential in any adverse condition, as a Buddhist, in a difficult world. It’s the refuge of my faith . It is difficult for me to see others unfairly stigmatized others who suffer and need others to be more compassionate towards their conditions. I am the offspring of a previous generation that left unresolved issues around mental health issues. It saddens me to know that for some their issues will never be resolved simply for the fact they don’t, because of the possible backlash of stigma and or society‘s inability to acknowledge the elephant in the room, recognize the issues before them.
I love how much Buddhism has helped you with your condition! I have sought out my own spirituality that works and it makes a huge difference. Society can be horrible. Thanks for sharing this, Mark!
Details later. This show and your others helped get thru a short but rough stretch. Thank you Very Kindly.
I remember that when I was 15, I had my first hallucinations. I was talking to my girlfriend at the time and suddenly I felt very anxious and started hearing footsteps in my room. I told my girlfriend about this and she wrote back, “I don't understand what you're talking about. You're really scaring me." and she left the conversation. It was very painful. She really had no idea about mental illness and that hurt.
That old definition of mental disorders as reactions is actually very applicable in my case as all of my mood episodes happened as a reaction to various stresses I've experienced. My first manic episode happened to me as a reaction to not being able to compete in a highly competitive and difficult college. Long story short, my English was not good enough for social studies and my IQ was not high enough for natural sciences, so that ended in me crashing into depression and leaving the college. I wish I was honest when it comes to my scholastic aptitude when I was applying to the school, but that's another long story. As far as stigma goes, I take my meds, I'm extremely fat, slow, quiet, and I find that people are fine with that. When I was manic it was a different story. I guess people like peace and not stress that drama brings, and as long as you're "cool" you're fine. That's just some of my thoughts on this, thanks Kit and Beesling and Madame Bee
Just an apology, that statement about me not having good English for social studies and high enough IQ for natural sciences was really dumb and not well thought through, one needs both for either cases, so sorry if I offended anyone.
Awww the bees and I say thank you back! I’m glad you were able to share some of your story here, its so important! Peace is something I hope to achieve more of as I continue to live (stubbornly at that some days). Hang in there!
I love your videos..we aren't alone...
WE ARE NOT!
This is the best video of yours I've seen. Good job.
Thanks so much! Glad you liked it!
I dont have it that serious, just good ol BD II and BPD, and still i cant have any hope for my future.
Yes it could be worse but still it is already terrible, every day is affected by it and i cant ever be a whole day in a good/okay mood, most of my days are spent in misery. I hope kit is right, i hope it really is worth it to keep going
Thank you for this channel, I am bipolar II and thanks to you and your videos, I feel so understood. Usually when I say I'm bipolar, I hear silence, pleople don't know what to say. Media created bipolar crazy-it's far from the truth..
You’re far from alone, and you got this. Glad you found the channel!
Totally awesome!
Thank You so much
of course!
You are amazing! Thank you for this video! I am grateful to follow you and that you share so openly about these things! You are valuable and loved!
Lifestyle changes are underrated in their helpfulness…I recently got sober and have noted a significant decrease in psychosis symptoms and a better brain and body connection. I’m not saying that will help or work for everyone but it’s helpful for me.
Being sober worked wonders for me too! One of the best decisions I ever made. So same here, it might not work for everyone but it’s a good thing for me ^_^
I noticed that people generally have no clue what schizoaffective disorder is amd even tryeng to explain doesn‘t seem to work. I just tell them I‘m bipolar now leaving out the schizo part.
Yes, the stigma is very hard to get rid of, it takes time, sometimes years.
If they see, that for a long time you are normal, they tend to forget it or at least give it a less significance.
Act as average as you can. If you had some type of psychosis, don't wear black clothes like an emo, don't put on Iron Maiden T-Shirts or with death's head. Just wear the most average clothes, do the most average things (like hiking), live the most average life, nothing special, nothing outstanding, because ppl will then say, oh that's because of his mental illness. Don't post anything on social media in connection with violence or guns or paranormal stuff like shadow people or anything fishy. If you are 100% normal and 100% average and even a bit dull, people will just get bored of you and say, oh that's just another guy, like my neighbour, nothing special, there is nothing to fear. If they get bored of you, they talk less about you, therefore decreasing the stigma.
I think time can take care of it. Just act normally for a long period (this may prove that you don't have mental issues), have a job (this may prove that you are intelligent enough to get and hold a job), travel like average people (this proves that you have the motivation to do things in your free time and you take care of your body's health at least on a basic level) and they will just regard you as healed.
If you have a romantic relationship with a rather attractive partner or have a group of friends, that's a winner, because who would be attracted to an obviously mentally ill person. Most will regard you as 100% cured.
Another thing is, don't bother what other people gossip about you, just enjoy yourself, if neccessary try to find new people and try to avoid speaking about your dark past.
In your case though, it's different, because you make these videos, in my case, I try to sweep it under the rug as much as I can, that I had a psychotic break in 2017.
Basically just don't do outrageous stuff, and live the most average, normal life and look like the the average Joe or average Jane, then the stigma of psychosis floats away into the abyss, we all know nothing lasts forever.
Don't reinforce people in their belief, prove them wrong. Yes, I stepped into shit, this happened, it's in the past now for me, other ppl can have other problems as well. We are human.
P.S.: Maybe if you regard yourself as still mentally ill, at least don't show it on social media, at least give a good impression to those people with whom you are not in personal contact anymore, ppl from your past. Therefore decreasing the stigma at least to those who you don't meet anymore. Maybe on facebook you have 500 "friends" but in reality you are in contact with like 10 ppl or in case of depression even less or even none. At least don't advertise it, because maybe one day you'll get over it, then you will profit from not advertising your illness.
I wouldn't make videos like these, maybe if I was more attractive I could afford it :)
Anyway I think I have made progress in decreasing the stigma of psychosis in this way.
My mother had Schizotypical disorder, Autism and Borderline Personality Disorder.
👍🏼. Good pep talk for support. SAD is not a death sentence my dr. tells me. Not like you have been told you have terminal cancer.
It’s far from one, just gotta figure out what life is gonna look like with a few extra rules. Fulfillment is so so possible!
I have your diagnosis and I have a substance abuse problem. I use sleep in place of drugs and my sleepiness is not caused by medication except in a mild way. I have been on heavily sedating meds before, most of my life, in fact and it nearly killed me because I couldn't get out of bed.
I know I have been diagnosing misdiagnosed for years I have so many diagnosis
I live a lonely life I'll rather become a traveler in the desert at endless night this madness and so much suffering Death seems promising because why should I care to believe living until the moments end my last 7 seconds I'll be free. I am trying I do my treatment but I'm doing everything right but I am standing before a loneliness wondering why should I not turn off the game of life. I can say No as you said I can say No correct yes so I we can say No to this horrible existence. Or I can No to wanting to End this existence. Does anyone understand myself. I wish I at least had friends or someone all I have is Schizoaffective no one cares for me. Even my doctors
I get command halluncinations and I don't and would never act on them
Exactly this!!!!
Fulfilling Iives minus 10 years of Life Expectancy gone? Bipolar mostly. Thanks! Please let us know what you think.
The life expectancy thing is something I try not to think about too much. For those with schizoaffective it’s 25 years. I’ll live as long as I can out of spite though
@@SchizoKitzo Me to thanks for writing.
I stay armed because of the stigma, because where I live people believe if you hear voices, you must be demon posessed. I am terrified that I will have to protect myself, and I will. I struggle alot with psychosis, but I stay employed. I handle my shit. Just wish I had never gotten into hard drugs. I get alot of command hallucinations to hurt myself. But still fighting the good fight. There are actually people who want me dead, and it fuels my paranoia. Idk it's complicated...i am not sure but i am pretry sure these drug dealers that want me dead are invading my mind somehow...idk just can't keep my mouth shut when my friends start dying from the fetty they are putring in the drugs. Just pisses me off. This is my mind. They need to get out.
The voices threaten me alot...I just have to dare them to come get me
Cache and self Romantization travel with Stigma. I exist without all of these. French tragic?
W/all due respect, Kit; please stop demeaning urself by saying that u r "mentally ill" or referring 2 bipolar disorder as a "mental illness" bc the "M.I." terms (i.e.: "mentally ill" & "mental illness(es)") r synonymous w/shame & stigma.. As some1 w/bipolar disorder, i deeply resent being called "mentally ill" & my condition as a "mental illness". BTW; r those whom r blind "visually I'll"? No. R those whom r deaf "hearing ill"? No. R those whom r paralyzed & confined 2 a wheelchair "physically ill"? No. Furthermore; those whom have Down's Syndrome r "developmentally disabled" (they were previously referred 2 as "mentally retarded" but that term was deemed "demeaning", "shameful", & "stigmatizing". Well; the "M.I." terms r also demeaning, shameful, & stigmatizing terminology). While I do accept my bipolar diagnosis; I'm NO MORE ILL than some1 who's blind (i.e.: "visually IMPAIRED"), deaf (i.e.: "hearing IMPAIRED", &/or paralyzed (i.e.: "physically IMPAIRED"). Furthermore; "treatment" (i.e.: psych meds) AGGRAVATED my condition. If u believe in the chemical imbalance philosophy, more power 2 u. I've been psych med-free since 1/1/2017 after 30+ different psych meds over 44 yrs (I'm 56; my DOB: 7/20/1967). The cumulative adverse effects from psych meds made me feel suicidal (not the condition itself). By going off psych meds, I ELIMINATED those suicidal feelings. W/that said; best 2 ya in whatever works 4 u.
Lobotomy has gotten a really bad rap! Please discuss Thanks!