What am I talking about? This disease of the brain is one of the most disabling and emotionally devastating illnesses known to man. I am not insane.
Why am I talking about this? Misunderstood for so long, this mental illness has received relatively little attention and its victims have been undeservingly stigmatized. Forget about "split personality" but rather think of it as another rare and very different type of disorder. I am insane.
Like cancer and diabetes, it has a biological basis; it is not caused by bad parenting or personal weakness. In fact it is a relatively common disease, with an estimated 1-1.5% of the U.S. population being diagnosed with it over the course of their lives. While there is no known cure, it is a very treatable disease. Most of those afflicted by this disease respond in some way to drug therapy. Many are able to lead productive and fulfilling lives. I am not insane.
Any idea about what I am talking about? Click here for more information.
My father, who was a psychiatrist and himself very fascinated with these kinds of disorders always told me the following:
"If you think you are crazy then that means that you are not crazy."
I am not insane. And if I insist that I am NOT insane, then what does that mean then according to my father's theory? Well, while you are carefully ruminating about that dilemma, please have a look at the following links which I think may be of interest to you:
- The Experience of Schizophrenia.
- Famous People with Schizophrenia .
- A Beautiful Mind.
- Interview with Sylvia Nasar .
- John F. Nash, Jr. - Autobiography .
By the way, I am now reading the book "A Beautiful Mind" by Sylvia Nasar (Faber and Faber; ISBN: 0571197183). So far I have read the first two chapters and it is pretty good. After I finish the book, I will go and see the movie.
My half-brother suffered from some form of schizophrenia so I guess that means that it kind of runs in the family.
So I am part mental magician.
