They want a range of views (including non-medical ones!)
The ‘Schizophrenia’ Commission, launched by mental health charity Rethink, is currently gathering evidence from people who have been diagnosed with schizophrenia, those who work in the area and researchers. On 13 March, they put a special request out to encourage those who do not believe ‘schizophrenia’ is a useful or valid term to contibute their ideas and experiences too. The following is an extract from their website, explaining their position:
“We know that diagnosis is hugely controversial in mental health and Commissioners are particularly interested in hearing the views of those who do not believe that ‘schizophrenia’ is a useful term or aids recovery of those with a serious mental health condition.
We are receiving a number of submissions from organisations and individuals and all these will be taken into account in our final report. We want to hear from everyone who has an opinion on schizophrenia and psychosis. We are keen to hear the views of people who feel the diagnosis was unhelpful in their recovery, those where labels feel oppressive and discriminatory as well as those who feel that the diagnosis and treatment and support that followed were the starting point for their recovery. We are also keen to hear from practitioners and researchers in the health and social care community . Our final report will include a clear statement of the views received on different issues”.
Get your voice heard
If you would like to fill in their survey and express your experiences and opinions, please click here: www.schizophreniacommission.org.uk/gathering-information-using-surveys/
It started when I was 9 after I was raped. that night, I remember the troubles I had waiting to close my eyes and go to sleep but the voices were always there. they never left me since and now I am fifteen and diagnosed with schizophrenia. I guess it has helped to know what was happening to me and the medication helps too I guess. I rejected help at first but then realised that without help, I would be so much worse than I am today and for that I am very thankful. schizophrenia is not a great mental disorder to have but with the time and effort you put in to make it all better, it will be all worth it in the end
Hi B, thanks for getting in touch to share your experiences. I’m really sorry to hear that you’ve been through so much already at such a young age. Having voices and visions start after a traumatic event is relatively common – we hear that a lot, and research also links these experiences with trauma. It’s good to hear that getting the diagnosis helped you make sense of it a little – and get some help. I was wondering – have you ever had any support for what happened to you when you were 9 years old? Sometimes people find that getting help for the trauma can help with things like voices too (and other difficulties that start after a trauma). You might want to contact Voice Collective – http://www.voicecollective.co.uk (an organisation that supports children and young people with experiences like these). It’s great that things are getting easier for you – and hope that this continues too.