#304 HBO’s “Six Schizophrenic Brothers” Sister and Advocate Lindsay Mary Galvin Rauch

Content/Trigger Warning: This conversation includes sensitive topics of sexual abuse, violence, suicide, and homicide. It is not suitable for younger audiences. 

We delve into the complex and deeply personal story of the Galvin family, which has played a significant role in the history of schizophrenia research. Our guest, Lindsay Mary Galvin Rauch, is the youngest of twelve siblings in the Galvin family, six of whom were diagnosed with schizophrenia. Their family's genetic material has been a cornerstone of nearly every major genetic study on the disorder since the 1980s, contributing invaluable insights into the genetic underpinnings of schizophrenia.

Lindsay shares her unique perspective growing up in a large family profoundly affected by mental illness, as chronicled in Robert Kolker's award winning book Hidden Valley Road and the HBO 2024 documentary Six Schizophrenic Brothers. 

Hidden Valley Road has achieved a long list of accolades… 

• Instant #1 NEW YORK TIMES best-seller
• Official selection of OPRAH’S BOOK CLUB
• A NEW YORK TIMES, WALL STREET JOURNAL, and WASHINGTON POST Top Ten Book of the Year
• PEOPLE ’s #1 Best Book of the Year
• Named a Best Book of the Year by NPR, Time, Slate, Smithsonian, Forbes, Audiophile, Parade, Kirkus, Library Journal, Publisher’s Weekly, the Evening Standard (UK), the Sunday Times (UK), The New York Post, and Amazon
• Finalist, PEN/John Kenneth Galbraith Award for Nonfiction
• Featured in PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA’s list of favorite books of the year

Lindsay's life's journey inspired her evolution from victim and survivor to advocate and thriver. She enjoys sharing her story of the courage to heal and fortitude in adversity. The hope for greater compassion for those affected and their families is her north star. Lindsay is a board member of The Henry Amador Center on Anosognosia and Well Power (formally the Mental Health Center of Denver).

Beyond discussing the scientific impact of her family's contributions, Lindsay opens up about her personal experiences, including the challenges of living with so many siblings diagnosed with schizophrenia, the role of trauma in mental health, and her decision to take on the responsibility of caring for her brothers later in life.

Listeners will gain insights into the following topics:

• The Galvin family's pivotal role in schizophrenia research and the discovery of a SHANK2 gene mutation linked to the disorder.
• The varied symptoms of schizophrenia among her brothers and what this diversity reveals about the condition.
• The impact of trauma on the onset of schizophrenia symptoms, and how this played out in her family.
• The challenges and responsibilities of managing care for siblings with schizophrenia, including the effects of medications, electroshock therapy, and the issue of anosognosia (lack of insight into one's illness).
• The ongoing stigma surrounding schizophrenia and the need for societal change to better support those with mental health disorders.
• The process of genetic testing for the SHANK2 familial mutation and the decisions made regarding her own children.
• Lindsay’s reflections on personal resilience, mental health, and her hopes for the future of schizophrenia research.

During the interview we mentioned a couple content/resources to check out including…

• “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks” by Rebecca Skloot (Check out Episode #34 of DNA Today where descendents of Henrietta Lacks were interviewed) 
• “The Collected Schizophrenias: Essays” by Esmé Weijun Wang
• Spotlight Documentary Directed by Tom McCarthy