Replies to '11/23 Schizophrenia'

Mary, Please, please, please see a priest! There are priests who are authorized by their local bishop to do exorcisms. You must see this kind of priest, not just any priest. I'm a convert from atheism. I never believed in the devil or demons or real evil. I thought people who believed in this stuff were wacky. My conversion to God is a long story... but today I know beyond a doubt that the devil, demons and evil are very present and active in the world. I trusted my doctor, my therapist, but they didn't believe in real evil either, so I suffered much longer that I should have with different issues. What you are describing sounds like demon possesion. Please, please, I'm begging you, don't wait one more day! May the angels of God, especially St. Michael, protect you... I am praying for you... Maddy

 My exwife has schizophrenia, and we divorced because of it.  She was convinced I murdered at least 6 people, and had numerous affairs over our 21 year marriage.  And of course I did not murder anyone, nor did I ever beat anyone up, nor was I ever unfaithful to her.  Of course my denials could not prove I was telling the truth, when she was so "convinced".  Our sons (college age) and I are very baffled by it all.

How did you decide to go back to your husband?  What convinced you he was not a threat to you?  What can get my wife to trust me again??  Now, she thinks I have been lying to her all these years and yet I do not know any time I ever lied to her about anything substantial affecting me and her or our marriage.

All the best,
Gene

I really admire you, Mary. You have done such a wonderful thing for others with this devastating disease. I just wanted to tell you that it is amazing that you can be a wife and mother and also hold a job while coping with this illness. My sister was married to a man with schizophrenia for awhile so I saw first hand how hard it was for him to try to live as normal a life as he could. You should get a very big pat on the back!!  

  

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!! 

Dear Mary, Your courage helped so many, I know you helped me. I lost my only child in 2002 to this tragic illness. You can view his website at www.crylo13.com John was bright, handsome, loving and unfortualtely emtionally wounded from a tragic molestation by his stepbrother when he was elelven years old and was living with his Dad and his montster stepmother. After that nightmare John slipped into a depression. At age 18 he was diagnosed with schizophrenia. He did not like the medication. Four years later his depression increased and suicide claimed his life. I praise your efforts in coming forth to help the popuation understand this illness. I wish that I understood more when John was still alive. Thank you very much, Elizabeth P.S. The young man who molested my child has been employed by the first Methodist Church in first shreveport, then Baton Rouge, Louisiana. I send countless emails to the church that employs him, warning them that he is a sxual predator. Last I heard, they continue to employ him. His name is Quinn.

 Mary, thank you from the bottom of my heart for doing this show. My son, Vinny, had his first full psychotic break at age 18, like you. He also self-medicated. He was not on any kind of medication when his schizophrenia started, either. Our culture treats people with schizophrenia abusively, mostly due to ignorance, and a LOT of education is needed. Thank you for helping educate the public on the nature of this disease. I will include you and your family in my prayers.

I wanted to extend a genuine heartfelt 'Thank You' for your willingness to share your own personal experience.

You are bravely, courageously and quite successfully dealing with a BEAR of a disorder! To be willing to speak so candidly about something as personal as Schizophrenia is inspiring! Your tenacity in sticking with the treatment necessary to manage this very difficult disorder is also inspiring.  

I heard you speak of the negative things the voices were telling you about you in doing the show. YOU WERE FABULOUS!!!!! 

 

I too am the daughter of a mother who has Schizophrenia and while neither I nor my identical twin have ever experienced the disorder, I can ASSURE you that I would not have handled MYSELF as well as you did on that stage!!!!  

Thanks, Again, 

Brenda 

It is difficult for me to post anything on this subject because I have dealt with it with my brother for 20 years now and most people don't understand any aspect of the illness.  My family and I have gone through things that most people could not even understand but to date my brother is functioning well.  He is holding a job and living on his own and is doing so without medication, although how this is I don't know, except that he was diagnosed incredibly early in life (at age 14).  My mother is his sounding board and when there are times he can't separate the illness from reality he calls her and she's able to talk him through it. 

  

It is great that you decided to do the show because it's important for society to understand the illness.  You've brought clarity to the subject, and even though each case is different and each person deals with it differently there is at least awareness. 

  

Thank you.