Schiz and Giggles

I was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder when I was sixteen. I have discovered the world can (and still may) become a more forgiving, accepting, and welcoming place than I have known since those strange first decades that added up. It’s shows like this that have given me that hope. Like Kody described (I believe), I assumed I had lost the capacity to communicate effectively and did not possess the ability to shift my mind and senses forward when I was first diagnosed. “My people skills are bad,” I told myself, and any attempt to operate beyond them would be circumvented by the terrible misfortune that I had to get out of bed. I was stuck–I could not kick the boulder up the hill. The show’s dichotomous light, Kit, is so boldly vulnerable in an unkind public domain that I asked myself if I have the same strength to withstand the stressors of advocacy. So, I’m trying it, writing blogs about finding meaning in this disorder, as it is, and by some chance finding a purpose. Taking the space to say that my life has been difficult and I have experienced true mental pain may heal my mind yet. Kit and Kody have introduced me to this new world of people talking about living with schizophrenia spectrum disorders. You wouldn't believe how valuable a resource this would have been to have as a teen growing up in the 90s and taught that these candid conversations would only get you in trouble–or worse. I’m not exactly sure how I fit in with folks who live with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. But I’ve always been fascinated and hopeful about people around me and how I relate to them. The digital realm of peer support is the perfect backdrop to learn more about myself and see what folks are like (and how alike I am to them). I’m excited to see what’s next.

Thank you for sharing your lived experience! I’m a therapist and this has been an invaluable education for helping support my clients!

I am so happy I found this, as someone who is going through a separation and trying to understand if the person I am married to has schizophrenia this has helped me so much. It is hard to love someone with delusions or even begin to understand. It’s heart breaking when they don’t see what you see and this podcast is helping me deal with it in a therapeutic way. Thank you!

Great first episode/intro :) excited to hear what you guys get into. Love learning about the science-y side of my disorder and interested to hear about people’s experiences. Thanks!