This is what schizophrenia looks like

During the pandemic, my youngest brother was diagnosed with schizophrenia. We first noticed something was wrong when he started behaving strangely. One thing we noticed is he would hide in his closet, staring at the wall, and not responding when we called him. I believe he was contemplating something, perhaps very dark thoughts. I know he was and still is in immense emotional pain, which only worsened once the diagnosis was added to his medical record. Schizophrenia often carries a heavy stigma, making it difficult for people to find social groups, employment or housing.
Despite these challenges, Andrew landed a job at a start-up that produced cannabis-infused water capsules. He quickly became the manager. I was there with him that day during his interview in the winter time downtown. I was sitting in the workspace with my laptop, and I like to think I was his good luck charm. Unfortunately, the company let him go soon after due to a lack of funding, and they failed to pay him for overtime during the Easter weekend. For some strange reason, he did not qualify for EI. They never knew about his diagnosis but they gave him a hard time when he asked for his recorded work hours. They apparently did not record any. Today, he mostly deals with depression, but otherwise shows no significant symptoms.
Schizophrenics are often extremely smart and gifted. Unfortunately, the world has not learned how to accept these gifts or where to place these types of people in society. It breaks my heart and walking into his room often brings me to tears because I remember the episodes.