Schizophrenia Awareness Week, May 14-20, is a great opportunity to find out more and gain greater understanding of the real and relevant issues of this very misunderstood condition.
I have “lived experience” of schizophrenia for 15 years and recovery for 10. If I look at the hardship this has caused me, only around 20 per cent was caused by symptoms such as altered thought and perception, delusional thinking and a myriad of sight, sound and tactile hallucinations.
The majority of the negative impact on my life – that is, 80 per cent – came from the damage caused to my world, my sense of self, and my relationship with others. My everyday life was turned upside down. I experienced loneliness, an inability to relate to others, damage to career, low self-esteem and disconnection from community – this is what caused most of the pain.
The 80:20 Rule is a very common theme with people that have a mental illness. Just like me, much of their hardship is in dealing with everyday life.
Eighty per cent of my recovery was from “lifestyle factors” and issues of “human condition” which are common to us all. This illustrates the amazing thing about mental illness and the community. Everybody in the community is in a position to help with the 80 per cent of the trouble. We can all play a very important role in any number of ways, and I will tell you honestly that in some cases, your assistance will be far more important than the treating psychiatrist. By just being your good, kind self you can make an incredible difference.
David Braniff
Spokesperson for
SANE Australia
