Posted by Pfinstegg on May 15, 2003, at 8:19:11
In reply to Re: how bout a board for schizophrenia, posted by wendy b. on May 14, 2003, at 21:48:52
I think that the people concerned about the possible negative aspects of a board just for schizophrenia all made very valid points. I do still think that it is an idea worth trying, however. The social stigma about the depressive illnesses, and even personality disorders, has decreased a great deal in the past few years, and people lucky enough to find PB have probably experienced a tremendous lessening of their sense of shame and guilt about having these illnesses. I know I would never put this diagnosis down on a medical questionaire in a doctor's office until recently; however, in a visit yesterday to an orthopedist to treat a fracture, I was able to write "depression, presently in remission" without fear.
People with schizophrenia do not yet have the voice, or the support, that we have. But the voices are there, waiting to be heard and validated. Probably family members of people with schizophrenia and related disorders might predominate at first, but there is always the possibility that people with these illnesses will find their board and begin to make use of it to share treatment strategies and provide mutual support. This would be a huge step forward, as, up until now, this has been an isolated and silent group. There is so much overlap in medications- I think someone on PB has taken almost every AP for off-label use; however, some of the social and vocational issues are, at least qualitatively, different. What is there to lose, other than a board that no-one posts to?
Pfinstegg
poster:Pfinstegg
thread:226231
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20030508/msgs/226798.html