An Affirming Help Guide for Living with Schizophrenia

November 26, 2016 / Christine Deneweth

If you have schizophrenia, you might have a hard time finding resources to support you. But you’re in luck – you’ve just found a resource!

This is a help guide written for people with schizophrenia, by someone with schizophrenia. Everyone’s experience with this mental disorder is different, but Crass understands what you’re going through.

So how can you cope with things like hallucinations, paranoia, and finding the right treatment plan? Here are some ideas. You deserve this support!

With Love,
The Editors at Everyday Feminism

Click for the Transcript

Panel 1

Text: Guide For Schizophrenia – Christine Deneweth

Panel 2

Crass talking. She has short curly hair, glasses and a green shirt.

Crass: Hi my name is Crass and I’m schizophrenic. Having schizophrenia is rough, but the fact that there are so few resources for people who have it is also rough.

Panel 3

Crass talking.

Crass: This is a help guide for people with schizophrenia by someone with schizophrenia.

Panel 4

Text: So what is schizophrenia?

Text: Schizophrenia is a complex mental disorder that affects how a person thinks, acts, and emotes. They may have issues distinguishing what is reality. They can be emotionally unresponsive or express emotions inappropriately.

Panel 5

A hazy tree and field.

Text: What is it like (for me)?

Text: Sometimes everything looks hazy. I have voices that say random things. I have paranoid thoughts that my life is just an experiment and everyone I know hates me.

Panel 6

Crass talking and smiling.

Crass: Remember that everyone experiences it differently. And everyone’s experience is valid.

Panel 7

A TV with a frowning face on it.

Text: The stigma

Text: There isn’t much visibility for people with schizophrenia, and what little visibility there is usually is negative.

Panel 8

Text: “People with severe mental illnesses like schizophrenia, bipolar or psychosis are 2 1/2 times more likely to be attacked, raped, or mugged than the general population (Hiday, et at. 1999).” Yes there are some that can be violent, but that is true of any demographic. (Source: http://depts.washington.edu/mhreport/facts_violence.php)

Panel 9

Crass talking.

Crass: Fighting against your own head is hard, but there are ways to cope. I’m here to help with my list of how to live with schizophrenia.

Panel 10

A paintbrush and pallet.

Text: 1 – When the Voices Are Strong, Fight Back With Creativity.

Panel 11

Crass drawing.

Text: Whenever my voices start to bother me, I like to draw out how they’re making me feel. Writing it out is also helpful.

Panel 12

Crass talking.

Crass: Keep a small notebook handy. Put what’s in your head on paper if it will give you relief.

Panel 13

A door.

Text: 2 – If You’re Feeling Uncomfortable, Say Something or Remove Yourself

Panel 14

Line going both ways.

Text: Some days are better than others, and when you have bad days, say so. No one is at 100% all the time. If a situation is upsetting you, it’s okay to take some space for yourself.

Panel 15

Crass talking and smiling.

Crass: People can’t understand what’s going on if you keep it to yourself. Try to take your time to talk it out. Your comfort is important.

Panel 16

Paper and a Pencil.

Text: 3 – Write Out Your Paranoid Thoughts

Panel 17

Paper with lines on it.

Text: Whenever I feel paranoid, I like to write out my thoughts. And then I like to try and back them up with actual proof, I can never actually prove them, so I usually can calm myself down.

Panel 18

An iPhone.

Text: If this isn’t enough, don’t be scare to reach out to online communities, friends, loved ones, or anyone you trust.

Panel 19

A drop of water.

Text: 4 – If You Start to Hallucinate, Splash Some Water on Your Face.

Panel 20

A sink.

Text: Whenever I felt myself start to slip, I would snap myself back by splash some cold water on my face. The sudden cold sensation jolts me back into refocusing on what is directly around me.

Panel 21

Text: My hallucinations are mild, so this trick works for me. If you have more intense hallucinations, you may want to seek help. Feeling comfortable and safe matters. Do what you need to do to get there.

Panel 22

Therapy couch.

Text: 5 – Therapy and Medication Can be Useful For Some.

Panel 23

Crass talking and smiling.

Crass: Therapy and medication are a must for me. It was a three year long process to find the right therapist and combo of medication. But it is worth it.

Panel 24

Crass talking and smiling.

Crass: If you decide to take this route, just remember that it takes while to get everything just right. Even getting diagnosed as someone with schizophrenia takes a while because it is rare.

Panel 25

A box.

Text: 6 – Resist Neurotypical Pressures to Fit The Norm.

Panel 26

Text: Since being neurotypical is the norm, if you have a mental disorder, you are seen as an other. It shouldn’t be like that. No one should be forced to fit into one box. Your wellbeing should be what matters most.

Panel 27

Crass talking and smiling.

Crass: It’s okay to be you! Your experience matters! Your voice matters! Your visibility matters!

Panel 28

Crass talking and smiling.

Crass: Everyone experiences schizophrenia differently. No experience is “right” or more “valued” than another.

Panel 29

Crass talking and smiling.

Crass: Who you are is beautiful, don’t let anything or anyone tell you otherwise.

Panel 30

Crass talking and smiling.

Crass: You deserve comfort, visibility, compassion, and happiness!

To learn more about this topic, check out:

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Christine Deneweth is a Contributing Comic Artist for Everyday Feminism. A queer cartoonist and artist, Christine lives in Ypsilanti, Michigan. She is a cartoonist for Eastern Michigan University’s newspaper, the Eastern Echo. She writes children’s books about mental disability and has a comic strip that has been published for five years. Comics can be found on her Facebook page, and art can be found on her Instagram @crassaster. Check out her work here!