The Student Room Group

Schizo Boy

I put a few posts on here a while back about myself. I'm schizophrenic. Thought you'd all like to know that I've just got out of the acute mental health ward, and now I'm back to torment you.

I suppose I'm trying to judge how people will react to finding that out about me. You know, for when I move to Uni. Should I keep that to myself? I know students are an open minded bunch, because I'm open minded myself. How would you react if you found that out about someone? Do you even have the first idea about what schizophrenia is?

I don't know if I should keep it to myself and let everyone call me strange, or be open, and let everyone know I'm strange. I'm a bit worried about how to play this one.

Thanks for the advice.

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Students are pretty much always going to be strange (or to put it more positively, "different") in some way, and I don't see why it should matter that your particular difference is having a mental condition. Like you say, students are an open minded bunch and should be able to tolerate all kinds of people.
Reply 2
I do - but I talk to people wiht schitzophrenia on a regular basis, and my mum deals with drugs for schitzophrenia.
Well done for getting out of the mental health ward, thats fab =)

Maybe keep it to yourself at first, until you get to know people.

How are you dealing with it? Are you relativly level (or even sedated) now?

x x x
tbh i would probly keep it to myself and a few friends once ive settled in although ive got to admit i dont really know anything about the condition apart from that its serious.
Reply 4
I wouldn't go shouting about it on the first day or anything, but when you have a group of friends that you feel comfortable with then if you want to. Many people go to uni and try and be different to what they were at school/college, so i wouldn't worry about it. Just do what you want to do, most people will be open minded about it anyway.
Reply 5
I don't see why most students would see you any differently from other people - after all, many people have suffered/are suffering from some sort of mental disorder, such as depression, eating disorders, etc. Don't worry about it! And if people call you strange, well, they're just poos and you wouldn't want to know them anyway.

Good luck!

:biggrin:
i am going to sound so ignorant here, but exacty what is schizo...

i always thought it was like you hear people talking to you, but i dont know if thats a childish, ignorant, playground type definition?

sorry for my ignorance
xxx
Reply 7
I do know what schizophrenia is, because my mum works in the mental health field - first of all, good on you for being so open about it.

I don't think your opening gambit should be "hi, I'm schizophrenic", purely because a lot of people will automatically go "OMG, crazy" which obviously isn't true, but it's what a lot of people think of when they hear that word. I'd say tell certain people once you've made friends and feel comfortable with the people you're close to. If they're real friends, it won't make any difference.
Try just telling a few people who you are reasonably close to first. There is no need for everyone to know, although I'm sure most people won't think differently of you you might get a lot of questions or start to feel uncomfortable with everyone knowing about it later on if you just tell everyone.
Reply 10
Anonymous
i am going to sound so ignorant here, but exacty what is schizo...

i always thought it was like you hear people talking to you, but i dont know if thats a childish, ignorant, playground type definition?

sorry for my ignorance
xxx


Yes I do hear people talking to me, when I'm alone. That, however, is only a part of it.
mate, I'm bi-polar suffering from borderline personality disroder. as far as everyone knows im normal but i must do admit some people do have questioned me i.e. someone asked me whether im realy happy or sad. Thet thing is, act as you are and i guess its gonna be a bad advice from me but keep it to yourself. its not like you need to wear a badge saying you're this and that. What im saying is act as you are and normally and if you feel reallu down and everything confided to a friend. perhaps you're clkoests friend and you will sweep it under the rug..works for me.
Reply 12


Mind is a great organisation. Good on you.
Reply 13
Cheers for the advice people. Make some mates before I let it go. Just worried that my symptoms are a bit too obvious for that. All the pacing and the staring.

Sure I'll live.

Thanks again people.
And well done to you for doing as well as you have done, getting out of hosptial, and heading to Uni =)
Reply 15
blot
I put a few posts on here a while back about myself. I'm schizophrenic. Thought you'd all like to know that I've just got out of the acute mental health ward, and now I'm back to torment you.

I suppose I'm trying to judge how people will react to finding that out about me. You know, for when I move to Uni. Should I keep that to myself? I know students are an open minded bunch, because I'm open minded myself. How would you react if you found that out about someone? Do you even have the first idea about what schizophrenia is?

I don't know if I should keep it to myself and let everyone call me strange, or be open, and let everyone know I'm strange. I'm a bit worried about how to play this one.

Thanks for the advice.


Would it be ignorant if I asked what it is like to have it? My sisters gp thought she had a mild case but it turns out shes not.
Anyway I think you should keep it to yourself until you make friends and then mention it, I mean it won't be as big a deal to other people as it is to you so don't worry, just have fun at uni:smile:
Reply 16
norelle
I do know what schizophrenia is, because my mum works in the mental health field


So your mum knows, not you.
Reply 17
I wouldn't really be bothered by it because I don't believe in schizophrenia, it's just something people make up to describe people they think are weird. I wouldn't bother telling people unless you think it defines you in some way.
Reply 18
blot

I suppose I'm trying to judge how people will react to finding that out about me. You know, for when I move to Uni. Should I keep that to myself? I know students are an open minded bunch, because I'm open minded myself.



Students aren't as open-minded as is popularly believed; as a whole they're perhaps a little more liberal than the general population, but I wouldn't expect a complete lack of prejudice. Schizophrenia is still utterly misunderstood, as much within psychiatry as without, and is associated in the common imagination with all sorts of violence and dysfunction. Being open about schizophrenia, whilst brave in itself, will invite adverse reactions (as with any mental illness), and the best thing I can recommend is to be circumspect. Be open only with those you absolutely trust, especially those who have some background of psychiatric confinement or mental illness, as they're considerably more likely to be receptive.
Reply 19
puppy
I wouldn't really be bothered by it because I don't believe in schizophrenia, it's just something people make up to describe people they think are weird. I wouldn't bother telling people unless you think it defines you in some way.


What do you mean, how can you not believe in it:confused: