What NOT to Say to Someone Living with Schizophrenia

🙅‍♂️Schizophrenia is often confused with dissociative identity disorder, but the two are different conditions.

🏢People with schizophrenia do not live permanently in psychiatric facilities and can lead fulfilling lives in the community.

🧠Saying that someone's experiences are "all in their head" undermines the reality of their symptoms.

👥Asking about hallucinations or voices can be triggering and an invasion of privacy.

🌿Although there is a correlation, not everyone with schizophrenia develops the condition due to drug use.

Do people with schizophrenia have split personalities?

—No, schizophrenia is not the same as dissociative identity disorder (multiple personality disorder).

Do people with schizophrenia live in institutions?

—No, many people with schizophrenia lead normal lives in the community.

Are people with schizophrenia violent?

—No, people with schizophrenia are more likely to be victims of violence than perpetrators.

Does smoking weed cause schizophrenia?

—There is a correlation, but not everyone with schizophrenia developed it due to drug use.

Are people with schizophrenia more creative?

—Some may be creative, but not all people with schizophrenia possess exceptional creativity.

00:00Introduction to the topic of what not to say to someone living with schizophrenia.

00:32Explanation of the difference between schizophrenia and dissociative identity disorder.

01:25Clarification that people with schizophrenia can live fulfilling lives in the community.

03:41Highlighting the insensitivity of dismissing someone's experiences as being 'all in their head.'

05:50Addressing the inappropriate questions about hallucinations and voices.

09:14Discussing the correlation between marijuana use and schizophrenia, but emphasizing that it doesn't apply to everyone.

12:00Challenging the stereotype that people with schizophrenia are exceptionally creative.

13:47Rejecting the idea that people with schizophrenia cannot lead normal lives.