Crisis in the World of Schizophrenia: Normalizing the Inevitable?
Anyone who has been thrust into the complex, challenging world of schizophrenia and serious mental illness can tell you that a crisis is bound to happen. In fact, because a crisis is a key marker for many people that something is terribly wrong. But, do we have to run from the crisis? Or, can we […]
Trust, Guardianship & HIPAA: A Tightrope for Caregivers
Just as our loved one is completely falling apart is the moment that they need to trust us the most, particularly if we need to put some sort of legal “stewardship” in place to help deal with doctors. Just as our loved one is in total state of denial, due to anosognosia, we need to […]
Which are You: A Lion Mom or a Tiger Mom?
The Lion Mom vs. The Tiger Mom: Parenting a Child with Schizophrenia Parenting a child with schizophrenia presents unique challenges and requires a thoughtful and compassionate approach. The archetypes of a “Lion Mom” and a “Tiger Mom” offer two distinct perspectives on how to navigate this complex journey. Let’s explore how each style adapts to […]
Let’s talk about Neurocognitive Harmony Disorder
The word schizophrenia comes from the Greek words schizo (splitting) and phren (mind). Swiss psychiatrist Eugen Bleuler first used the term in 1908 during a lecture at a German Psychiatric Association meeting in Berlin. Bleuler coined the term to describe the separation of function between personality, thinking, memory, and perception in his patients. He wanted […]
What World Schizophrenia Day Meant to Me
I really struggled with the concept of World Schizophrenia Day. What does that even mean? Is it a day we are supposed to celebrate this awful disease that robs us of our loved ones and all that they once were, and could have been? Is it a day to recognize our broken healthcare system that […]
Loss is Loss is Loss. Except when it is Ambiguous Loss.
For so many of us, being a caregiver of a loved one with schizophrenia is like a death of a thousand cuts. The emotions that we caregivers go through on a daily basis is just wrenching. We swing from seeing the loss of who our loved one once “was,” to seeing a medication fail – […]
Protecting Your Legacy: The Importance of Estate Planning for Caregivers of Individuals with Serious Mental Illness
As caregivers of individuals with serious mental illness (SMI), we dedicate ourselves to providing love, support, and care to our loved ones. Amidst the daily challenges and uncertainties, it’s easy to overlook our own future and well-being. However, estate planning is not just about financial matters—it’s about ensuring the continuity of care and support for […]
Nurturing the Caregiver: The Importance of Self-Care in the Journey of Caregiving
Caregiving is often described as a labor of love, but behind the scenes lies a reality that can be profoundly taxing and emotionally draining. As caregivers, we dedicate our time and energy to supporting our loved ones, often at the expense of our own well-being. However, amidst the demands and challenges of caregiving, prioritizing self-care […]
Navigating Tough Care Decisions: A Perspective for Caregivers of Individuals with Serious Mental Illness
I was lucky enough to be interviewed by Rachel Star Withers who is the host of PsychCentral’s, “Inside Schizophrenia Podcast.” In our discussion, we covered the landscape of what it means to be a caregiver of someone with a serious mental illness. Following is a loose summary of our conversation, re-cast as a blog! Caring […]
30 Minute Memoirs
This month’s episode of 30 Minute Memoirs features the amazing Tony Roberts. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PQBlwG4CKk Even though technology was not our friend in trying to record this — we powered through and had a wonderful conversation about communication; and Tony is the perfect person to dig into this topic.