Spreading Awarness Through the Internet

As the big presentation day comes closer, it is extremely important that you all stay updated on Schizophrenia. Our group is spreading awareness with Blogspot, Twitter, and our latest addition Facebook. Discussion boards are posted for all of you who would like to ask questions about our project, schizophrenia and our Facebook page. Interesting facts and pictures are posted throughout our page. Spread the word about our Facebook and Twitter page!

Schizophrenia In TV

In the television world, Schizophrenia has shown up in many popular medical dramas. On a recent episode of ABC's "Grey's Anatomy", TV actress Demi Lovato guest starred and played an adolescent suffering from schizophrenia. Her character could hear everything going on inside her body; from her heart beating, to her eyes moving, to the sound of her own blood rushing. Her character could no longer "take it", so she resorted to trying to claw her eyes out. Although I think it is respectable of this young actress to portray such a character, I wish it wasn't in such a stereotypical way.

Information and Picture Taken From: http://tinyurl.com/39bf8dl

Schizophrenia In Pop Culture

In "A Beautiful Mind" starring Russell Crowe, his character Jonathan Nash struggles with the symptoms of paranoid schizophrenia (including delusions) as he lives his life and watches the pain it brings to his family. The movie was greatly successful, earning a total of four academy awards.

In "Donnie Darko" starring Jake Gyllenhaall, the story follows a 16 year old named Donnie trying to find the meaning of his "doomsday themed" hallucinations and delusions.

These are the two most popular movies that are based around someone with Schizophrenia. However, there are dozens and dozens of movies that have to do with this illness. However, unfortunately Hollywood has created a stereotype in which most of the movies are of the horror genre.


Pictures taken from : http://tinyurl.com/ya74ek9, http://tinyurl.com/38qd93a

Awareness Flyers

We compiled two creative flyers to grab attention of the students in our school, and aware them to join both our facebook group and to follow us on twitter. We encourage you to do the same. To follow us on twitter (SchizophreniaBA) simply click the button on the side of the page that says "follow me". As for our Facebook group, Schizophrenia Awareness, the link is on the side of the page as well!

Schizophrenics in Society

Researching about Schizophrenia brought me to a fascinating study that took place in Germany. The study was about the stereotypes of Schizophrenia. Although it is an interesting and well thought-out study, unfortunately the general public are not willing to read the thirteen pages its consisted of. This is why our goal is to educate, without bombarding one with information.

The study consisted of multiple statements of which the public had the following options to check off; agree, disagree, not know or be undecided. Through this process, it was concluded that the public had four main conceptions about the mentally ill;" they are dangerous, partly responsible for their condition, unpredictable and are unable to follow accepted social roles".

How can people think that one could be responsible for their mental illness as a result from "bad behavior"? Do we still live in the 18th century? Hasn't the world evolved, hasn't technology? So many people in this world are poorly educated, and it comes off as ignorance. We have to make people aware. Make them understand. Make them feel.

Study taken from: The Oxford Journal, http://tinyurl.com/2g7r8xk

Wake Me Up

The main problem of people suffering from Schizophrenia is the way they view the world. It's distorted, twisted and a thoughtless fantasy. They feel distant from the world in which they live; a reality that doesn't feel real. They suffer from hallucinations, delusions, unorganized thoughts, and struggles with their emotions. Their lives are in their minds; every noise they hear, every image they see are created. What's real, what's not? What a question that Schizophrenics cannot answer. Their emotions are mixed. Some may laugh at a funeral, or cry at humor. Their mind does not control thoughts, their thoughts are an endless frenzy. They feel the FBI coming for them. They believe they carry messages from God. Their muscles react, contract, tense. They'll stay in one position for hours, with blank faces. The delusions can take over their lives, controlling them. They never wake up from an endless nightmare.

Information taken from Young, Patrick. Schizophrenia. New York: Chelsea House, 1988. Print.