Glee and the missing mental illness: schizophrenia

Dear Glee writers:  I truly applaud your script this week, where Ms. Pillsbury finally comes to terms with her OCD. Dr. Stephanie Smith blogs beautifully about this here.

I loved the way Glee handled OCD in this episode- the stigma, the symptoms and the road to treatment.  My only bone to pick: the psychiatrist played by Kathleen Quinlan - I'm assuming her vocation, as she was able to prescribe the SSRIs for Emma - spoke beautifully about acceptance in mental illness, mentioning every diagnosis except for schizophrenia.  That, too, deserves an open forum.  Come on, at least give it a mention!

Still, it's a start.  Thanks, Glee. Someday maybe my Ben will may be proudly open about his illness. Maybe. But in the meantime, I'll remain thrilled that he is agreeing to treatment.  So far, so good.

May is Mental  Health Month! Here's a great resource for info at Mental Health America.

Bipolar Disorder on the Cover of People Magazine?

Well, Okay. So it's actually a gorgeous picture of Catherine Zeta-Jones.  Still, it brings one more mental illness into the light, with a matter-of-fact movie star who says it shouldn't be a big deal. I wrote my first-ever letter to the editor after reading this week's issue, which also contained a similar admission from Disney darling Demi Lovato.In case it doesn't make it to print (hey, I tried), this is what I wrote:

Dear Editor,

The best kind of applause to both Catherine Zeta Jones and to Demi Lovato for their courage in refusing to be ashamed about an illness that just happens to affect a body organ known as the brain. As Zeta-Jones so beautifully put it, “There is no need to suffer silently and there is no shame in seeking help.” And Ms. Lovato has, I hope, inspired others of her generation to be open and accepting of their diagnoses and the treatment that helps. As the mother of a wonderful kid who developed schizophrenia in his late teens (a common timetable for those with gradual-onset schizophrenia), I look forward to the day when my son – who, by the way, is in recovery with the help of treatment, patience, and love – and others with schizophrenia can speak as openly about their illness as well. While bipolar disorder is essentially a mood disorder and schizophrenia’s cluster of symptoms is more accurately described as a thought disorder, there are many areas in common. The greatest- and most shameful – of these is the presence of stigma. One day I hope my son – and the many others who have a diagnosed mental illness – will receive the same amount of respect, understanding, acceptance and research dollars as those who have illnesses that affect other organs of the body. Once again: brava, ladies! 

Randye Kaye
author: Ben Behind His Voices: One Family's Journey from the Chaos of Schizophrenia to Hope(Rowman & Littlefield, summer 2011)Family-to-Family teacher and trainer for NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness)

Schizophrenia and a "Great Personality" - possible? Yes!

This marks one month of employment for my son Ben.  One full month! He loves his job.  He has an answer when people ask him "What do you do?" The increase in his energy and pride is thrilling. Really. Thrilling.

Do I worry, still? Hmmm. Well, let's just say I'm keeping my eyes open for signs of stress. And simultaneously trying to stay grateful in each moment. I don't call Ben to see if he has gotten up in time to go to work - but the thought occurs, several times a day. NAMI has taught me that letting go is part of what parents must do - all parents, actually, but it's a more intense process when you've seen your child led into the mental hospital more than once. Letting go, slowly.  Learning to trust his abilities, slowly.  He has earned it.

Ben said yesterday that his manager told him he was hired because of his "great personality":  friendly, "good with people." Wow. What a long road to this place. I know who my son was before the illness (brilliant, charming, loving, funny); I also know how he was when in crisis (mostly unreachable).  To see Ben's personality re-emerge - tentatively at first but more strongly now - is indescribable.

Schizophrenia and other mental illness symptoms come in two categories: Positive (added to personality) and Negative (taken away from the personality).  The latter is as heartbreaking as the former. Ben's current state of recovery is, I hope, inspiring; still, I know it would change in two days if treatment should stop.  So much more research is needed.So much more. For so many, like Ben, are waiting to come out from behind their voices.

Negative symptoms can be helped by certain medications. They can also sometimes respond to the other vital areas of treatment: community, love, purpose, patience, and the proper balance between challenge and reality. According to schizophrenia.com, a short summary of a list of negative symptoms are:

1. lack of emotion – the inability to enjoy regular activities (visiting with friends, etc.) as much as before

2. Low energy – the person tends to sit around and sleep much more than normal

3. lack of interest in life, low motivation

4. Affective flattening – a blank, blunted facial expression or less lively facial movements, flat voice (lack of normal intonations and variance) or physical movements.

5. Alogia (difficulty or inability to speak)

6. Inappropriate social skills or lack of interest or ability to socialize with other people

7. Inability to make friends or keep friends, or not caring to have friends

8. Social isolation – person spends most of the day alone or only with close family

Catherine Zeta-Jones, Charlie Sheen and kicking the shame out of mental illness

According to CNN, "Catherine Zeta-Jones, has checked herself into a mental health facility.
The actress, who has been by Douglas’ side since he was diagnosed with throat cancer last fall, is seeking treatment for bipolar II disorder, her rep confirms to CNN."

There is an excellent link to an article on bipolar disorder here - and brava for Ms. Zeta-Jones for not only getting help, but for choosing not to keep it a secret.  This takes courage, class - and, I believe, a desire to help others by example.

 As for Charlie Sheen - well, no one can diagnose from afar, but I sure would bet a cup of coffee on the fact that he, too, has bipolar disorder.  Just saying.  And, with acceptance and continued treatment, he could be back on Two and a Half  Men by the fall.  However - the road to acceptance is no short journey. 
Some never make it.  Just read Dr. Xavier Amador's book, I Am Not Sick I Don't Need Help, to hear more about why.  He talks about schizophrenia, which is a thought disorder; bipolar is a mood disorder, and that makes for many differences.  With my son Ben's schizophrenia, there is no moment when his eyes shine with his full personality the way they used to before his illness developed; With bipolar disorder, there is often a precarious period during which the highs seemed tempered by the lows. As I sometimes say to the members of a NAMI Family-to-Family class when I teach about the different illnesses, "at least with bipolar you get to be charming part of the time."  It gets a laugh - a painful laugh. But still.  Hence, Charlie Sheen's wonderful timing in comic performances - and his outlandish hubris on his live tour.

However, there are similarities as well in thought vs. mood disorders. Psychosis is psychosis, and it's hard to diagnose a speeding train.

Britney Spears - remember the shaved head? Recall how her father finally took control and became legal co-conservator? See how well she seems to be doing now? That is so wonderful to see; still, in interviews promoting her latest CD, I see no reference to what really seems like a bout with bipolar disorder.  Is it her family's right to keep this all private? Absolutely. But I can't help but imagine how many young people would be helped if Britney were to talk openly about her struggles, and if she was helped by treatment: medication, family involvement, therapy. So many college students suffer from depression and - more importantly - do not seek help because of shame.

Let's get shame in mental illness out of the closet and kick its butt. Being open about treatment is a great step towards that acceptance.  Wishing Catherine Zeta-Jones and her family lots of love, and the same empathy and applause her husband Michael Douglas got when he publicly dealt with cancer.

Spreading Hope: Speaking and Submitting 28UFDXR7Y75H

My potential book publicist just described Ben Behind His Voices, and its message within, as "a beacon of hope" for those who are going through any similar challenge with a disability in a loved one. I hope so. Oh, do I hope so. That is my dream for this memoir, and for this blog: to spread hope, to reduce stigma, to open dialogues, to increase understanding and respect for those with mental illness and for their families.

I've submitted this blog to Technorati so that others can find it. To do that, I must include the code here: 28UFDXR7Y75H.  (It's in the title too - just in case)

Meanwhile, on June 9th, I will be the keynote speaker for Fellowship Place in New Haven, Connecticut.  Fellowship Place is a shining example of how important community is to those in the mental illness recovery process. NAMI reminds us that essentials for recovery include, among other elements:

• a safe and stable environment

• an educated, supportive family

• something to get involved in: work, community, advocacy

• sustaining hope and a vision of what is possible.

My Ben would not be where he is without his community - his job coach, caseworkers, house supervisors, doctors, family a friends. It takes a mental health village.  Kudos to all who serving as a beacon of hope, and to all who are absorbing it all so they too may someday advocate as well.

Fellowship Place Community

Ticket to Work: The Road to Self-Sufficiency, fingers crossed.

Ben has a chance at a job. A real job. Minimum wage, yes, but for him to make it to a second interview, and then to a possible job offer for the summer...well, the tears I feel remind me that I hadn't really even dared to dream this for him.  Ben hasn't had a job in eight years, since he was twenty years old.

He is so excited - it's the validation, the possibility he may be able to earn money, be useful, have something to say about his life other than "I live with roommates and do volunteer work" and - lately - "I go to school part-time", a miracle in itself .  He is also facing, suddenly, questions like:

• What will come up in a background check? Will the employer know about my hospitalizations and diagnosis?
• Will I lose my SSDI? SSI? State help? Medicare? Medicaid?
• What is a "Ticket to Work", and do I have one?
• Will I lose respect and the chance at this job if I reveal my diagnosis?

Practically, I was able to find answers by calling Ticket to Work, and by visiting the Social Security Work Website
The emotional questions are the ones that are more difficult to face
- but Ben is asking those questions, and setting his limits as to how much he wants to, or has to, reveal.  His dignity is so at stake; still, I'm amazed and proud at what he's doing: calling his job coach himself, contacting other so-called "experts", formulating exact answers to the questions that may come up.  He has more than risen to this occasion.  Again, the happy tears.

And the fears, which I am trying to ignore.

Will this be too much for Ben? Will he be able to get to work at 8:30 AM each day? Will the no-smoking rule cause problems for him, even though he says it is not an issue?  Will the stress cause a relapse? Shouldn't he take a lesser, part-time position?

But these are Ben's decisions, not mine,  All I can do is help with the research and share the information with him and his providers. Then let go. And have faith: faith that he can handle 32 hours of work each week, and still keep up with 6 college credits. And not break under the stress.

Nothing would make me - and Ben - happier.

Author Reflections: "Ben Behind His Voices" launch date set

It's real! The official publication date for Ben Behind His Voices is September 16, 2011.  When you search on Amazon or Barnes & Noble, there is a listing.  As a first-time author, I have to admit that this is even more exciting than my first kiss. Yep. At least I think so - the first kiss was so unexpected (another story for another time), while this listing is the culmination of  years of writing, rewriting, query letters, bouncing back, trying again, and finding and reconfirming my own faith in the book's value to others.

Yet this is nothing - nothing - compared to the challenges Ben himself has faced in the same period of time.
In a way, the timing of Ben's publication couldn't be better, for when I first sat down to write our story Ben was just a few months into recovery.  Now, he has logged over five years (knock wood) hospital-free, and we've been able to see how recovery can progress when psychosis is avoided for longer periods of time.  So, because of this long journey to publication, I hope that our memoir will offer even more information and hope to its readers, as I've updated Ben's progress frequently as the drafts piled up.

Here is the description from the listing (image and "search inside" features will come later, but you can pre-order) - it contains my hopes for the book's effect: to increase understanding and respect for those with mental illness, and for their families; and thereby reduce stigma.

"Ben Behind His Voices is the gripping story of one family's challenging experience when their firstborn is gradually struck down by schizophrenia - and how they learned to love and support him throughout his eventual steps to recovery. This page-turning narrative will inspire and educate any family going through hard times with the mental illness of a loved one. It also provides valuable insight for others who want to understand how families are affected when mental illness strikes."

For any families in the same boat: there are guidelines of info and resources at the end of most chapters. I hope you will fall in love with my son Ben before you get to the part where his illness takes hold. He is there, behind his voices, all throughout the book - and he still is. As is your loved one. Hard to see sometimes, I know. but love helps. So much.

Can Schizophrenia be Prevented?

If you want the facts and latest news about schizophrenia and the people affected by it (those who have been diagnosed and the people who love them), I highly recommend two amazing websites: http://www.nami.org/, and www.schizophrenia.com.

NAMI has taught me that there are nine stages of emotional response for the families of those with mental illness. Whether you are in an earlier stage like crisis/chaos, a middle stage such as anger/grief or a later stage such as understanding, information will - immediately or eventually - help to empower you.

Click on the address or title for the links to each website - NAMI's home page, and a new article found on schizophrenia.com about prevention of schizophrenia.

Preventing Schizophrenia
One of the messages in my book Ben Behind His Voices:One Family’s Journey from the Chaos of Schizophrenia to Hope is that early detection is vital. Articles like this help us know what to look for, much as we may not want to see it at the time. Much research suggests that prevention of psychotic breaks can avoid the destruction of brain matter. I encourage you to learn all you can

Legislative Social: Where were the lawmakers?

Here in Connecticut, it's fix-the-state-budget time, and our local NAMI affiliate arranged an event last night that was powerful, organized, and well-attended - except for the state legislators who'd promised to appear. The speakers were inspiring; they had progressed from homeless to productive, from hospital patient to independent citizen, from dropout to Masters Candidate -all with the help of (a)integrated treatment and (b) community. If services are cut for these speakers, they will lose all they have gained. I wish Ben had been there with me to hear their stories; I hope that, someday, he might be willing to share his.

If services are cut, the true cost will be great.
How much more will it cost the state in the future - and, more importantly, how much will be lost in the lives of these speakers and others like them - if we take away the support that helps them now? Without access to a supportive community and proper treatment - including essential medication - my son, all those inspirational speakers and countless other citizens like them, are likely to wind up in hospitals, homeless shelters, the streets, or in jail. That would, indeed, be pound-foolish - and devastating to the lives of courageous individuals who have already accomplished so much.

Where were our state reps? How can they hear the message? It falls to us to speak up for ourselves, for our loved ones. But no one can tell the story the way it was told last night. And too many were absent. Kudos to the 2 state reps who did find the time. Thank you.

Another family's schizophrenia story

Before we found our publisher for Ben Behind His Voices: One Family's Journey from the Chaos of Schizophrenia to Hope, my agent and I received several quite lovely rejection letters, stating how much they were moved by the story and by the writing - but that they feared it "just wouldn't sell" because of the subject matter.

Now, coming out very soon, another family's story, called Henry's Demons. This is by Patrick Cockburn, his wife, and his son - a UK family, each telling their part of the experience.
Reviewed by the NYTimes, moving up high on Amazon. I've just ordered it, and hope to connect with the family someday. Yes, this subject does sell - and it needs to be heard.

Is this "competition" for my book? No! It is a partnership. The more families that come forward to tell their story, the more we can all work together to increase understanding, reduce stigma, and increase respect. Bravo!

Ben Behind His Voices this summer!

The cover design has been chosen at last, and it makes the upcoming publication finally seem real. The exact date of publication is still tbd, but it should be in bookstores in August 2011, and available for pre-order at the end of June or by July. There are more updates available by either joining the facebook group "Ben Behind His Voices, the book", or by joining my e-mail list using the link on the home page at https://randyekaye.com/ - just specify the "Ben" list when you get to your choices.

Here are some advance comments, though!

Poignant, stark, and the energy of the scenes are set up really well. This work has screenplay written all over it. The dialogue is wonderful and the pace of the story moves briskly.
– Nancy DeRosa, author of A Penny’s Worth, and There’s No Place Like Home

What I find most compelling about Ben Behind His Voices is the author's honesty as a mother about her true feelings. She connects with her readers because she allows herself to be human and vulnerable and share both her struggles and triumphs.
– Amy J. Barry is author of A Child’s Grief Journey and writes an award-winning parenting column, A Parent's Eye View.

Should be required reading for all psychology professionals and students, as well as anyone who loves or cares for someone suffering with schizophrenia. Incredibly well-written, profoundly honest and, perhaps, most importantly, Randye Kaye offers help and hope to thousands of families needing to hear her story. I sat holding my breath as I turned each page. The author is not only a survivor and an incredibly loving mother, she is - by any standards - a gifted writer.
– Linda Appleman Shapiro, psychotherapist/oral historian/author of Four Rooms Upstairs: A Psychotherapist's Journey Into and Beyond Her Mother's Mental Illness.

Jared Lee Loughner,tragedy, and ignoring the signs of illness

Every situation is different, I know. I cannot sit here and write about any magic formula to have prevented the tragic incident that happened in Arizona, where Jared Lee Loughner caused so much heartbreak in mere moments. But the fact that keeps bouncing around in my head is this, from a promo for Diane Rehm's NPR show of 1/11/11 (worth a listen, definitely): "The National Institute of Mental Health reports six percent of Americans over the age of eighteen have a serious psychiatric illness. A look at the challenges of identifying young adults with mental disorders and why so many don’t get treatment."

Maybe, just maybe --- if there had been more understanding, better education, earlier treatment, reduced stigma, more supportive services for Jared, more support for his family --- maybe those people in Arizona would be alive today. I can't say for sure. But I know that, without the treatment that my own son Ben finally is accepting, and without the family love that stayed with us throughout all the chaos of his schizophrenia diagnosis and treatment, he could be off somewhere doing something horribly newsworthy. He might have commited suicide. He could have frozen to death in an Montana cold snap, homeless. He could be locked in a nursing home for the rest of his life. He could have...I can't even think about this anymore.

Right now, Ben is safe, loved, living in a group home, and doing well in school. Maybe someday he'll have a job. For now - it's good. It's very good. We love him. We have him.

Ben's nature, fortunately, is sweet, and he has never been violent, even in psychosis. But that is no guarantee that he would make good choices. Oh. No.

My hope is that Ben Behind His Voices, when published this summer, may open a few more eyes to the needs of consumers, families, and providers and agencies who so desperately need education, support, finances, housing, understanding, respect, and integrated treatment.

Legislators, on state and federal levels: Come on! Don't vote to save a penny in "services" that could lead to the much higher costs - in every way - of another incident like the one that killed so many lives and dreams.

Joey Pants and No Kidding Me Too

Among the celebs brave enough to "come out" re their mental illness: the wonderful Joey Pantoliano. Here he appears on STAR 99.9 Morning Show (where I used to work, now it's Tad and Marit - with Tommy Edison) talking about his documentary. http://star999.com/Player/100683761/

If you haven't seen the documentary, go here for info: www.nkm2.org

and, as always, www.nami.org

Been asked to speak on September 1st for Child Guidance Annual Meeting, also a NAMI chapter on the importance of family love in recovery - also on what the family needs: SEARCH (for Support, Education, Acceptance, Resilience, Communication Skills, and Humor/Hope). If any of use can help even one person...I remember feeling so alone before I found out I really wasn't (thank you, NAMI - now there's nkm2, also Bring Change 2 mind, and more). Yeah, the club you never really wanted to join, but dealing with mental illness in someone you love is difficult enough without feeling lonely and isolated on top of it. That's what I hope Ben Behind His Voices will do when published, as many of you who have read preview chapters have told me. Thanks for your courage in sharing your stories here in these comments as well.

Publication Progress, Ben Behind His Voices

so... we are getting the most complimentary letters from publishers who "wish they could publish" Ben Behind His Voices: One Family's Journey from Chaos to Hope. With one out of every four families affected by mental illness, isn't there a strong need for a story that provides hope, resources, and speaks to the power of love in recovery?

What do you think? some of these comments:

"It's very moving but a very tough sell."

"Thanks for thinking of me for this. I have a soft spot for stories of this kind and found the writing wonderful. "

"I would love to read more--in fact I'm ready to buy the book and can't wait until you find
a publisher...."

"Thanks so much for sending me BEN BEHIND HIS VOICES by Randye Kaye. How chilling it is to read of Ben’s struggle with schizophrenia—Randye expertly relates the horror that undoubtedly comes with a phone call from your son’s school informing you that he thinks he’s having a nervous breakdown. The strength and love in coping with this illness, especially between Ben and Ali, are both obvious and amazing.
While I did admire elements of this proposal, I’m sorry to say that in the end, I wasn’t confident I could break this project out on a large scale in a crowded market."

meanwhile, collecting some great quotes for the back cover!
“Ben Behind his Voices reminds us that schizophrenia is an illness, but not necessarily an identity. It movingly depicts the difficulty and the importance of recognizing, accepting, and managing the symptoms of this disorder.”

John H. Krystal, M.D.
Robert L. McNeil, Jr. Professor of Translational Research
Chair, Department of Psychiatry
Yale University School of Medicine

a preview of awesome DVD on effects on family: The National Alliance on Mental Illness: In Our Own Voice Family Companion

This is a preview of a DVD associated with a research project. The full DVD is meant to be presented in its entirety along with a program, part of a NAMI-CT collaboration with NIMH, the Mount Sinai School of Medicine and the Institute of Living. If anyone would like to see the video with a presentation, Ann Nelson is happy to arrange that for family members or providers. NAMI-CT at 203-927-1541 or familyresearch@namict.org.

Bring Change 2 Mind

Want a wonderful site to learn more about advocacy and acceptance? Check out http://www.bringchange2mind.org/.  Glenn Close, co-founder, will speak to neuroscientists in November.  Also, as always, check out NAMI for education, support, info - national at http://www.nami.org/ or your state affiliate.

Ben received an evaluation from his drama professor, who has no idea he has schizophrenia. Evaluated him against professional acting standards.  Effort? An A. Acting skills? B- or C+, maybe (and the acting skills grade in the one that he will probably get in the course).

My own inner voice is shouting "not fair!!!" Would a physical education professor penalize a runner with an arthritic knee for not being able to win the race?  Ben is devastated.  For him, memorizing and delivering his monologue, knowing and executing all his blocking and lines, being a reliable cast member - he thinks he did a wonderful job. So do I.  Every class attended, every assignment in on time -- is it fair to grade according to these exacting acting skills alone? Especially when Ben's scholarship depends on his grades?

If he hadn't tried, I'd leave it alone. But his commitment and hard work were never in question.

The dilemma: do I tell the professor about how hard Ben struggles sometimes just to follow a conversation, much less remain focused for an entire play?  Does he know what a miracle it was that Ben completed this?  Do I, as Ben's conservator, step in and give the professor this info? It soesn't seem fair that, now that Ben can "hide" his symptoms with the help of meds that also dull much of his energy, for him to be graded on a lack of physical energy on stage.

Dilemma. I so want to Bring Change 2 the Mind of that professor....

"Schizo!!!"

Last night, 7 PM. Place: our local community college. Event: theatre department's performance of Lanford Wilson's play, Book of Days. Ben has a nice size role in this, including a page-long monologue he worked hard to memorize.  Ben, who has been hospitalized seven times in his lifetime for various degrees of psychosis, has come far enough to be in this, his second play in one year.  He may major in theatre.  No future in it? I do not care. Ben is completing six credits each semester, and is not cracking under the pressure.  A miracle.

Few know how much of a miracle it really is. Certainly not the 20-something girl seated in front of us, head to head with her boyfriend.  They're looking at the program before the house lights dim for the start of the play.  "Ben Kaye," says the boyfriend. "I know him."  "Me, too." says the girl.  She rolls her eyes and adds, "more like - Ben schizo!", her tone a schoolgirl taunt.

I am shocked. I am shocked at how shocked I actually am. And hurt.  Here I sit, so proud of Ben, so thrilled to be attending this play that he has worked  to memorize and perform.  He is part of something, my child whose illness adds countless obstacles to socialization, to caring, to focus, to belonging somewhere.  And this - this ignorant girl. How dare she! I want to grab her by the wrist, take her out into the hall, and educate her as to how brave my son really is. I want to make her sit down and read about schizophrenia.  I want the stigma to stop.

I share my thoughts with my husband and daughter. Ali looks at this girl, my Cruella de Ville, and takes in her appearance: fishnet stockings, too-short skirt, heavy make-up, superior sneer. "Mom," she says, "all I can say is - consider the source."

Later I will see that Cruella will behave without manners throughout the play: whispering to her neighbors, texting, leaving and re-entering the theatre many times while the play is in progress. Sacrilige. Consider the source, indeed. I don't want to hate this girl, but I do. She has insulted my son.

After the curtain call (and Ben has performed really well, thank you very much), Cruella runs up to Ben and gives him a big hug. Hypocrite or friend? I don't know, I don't ask. But it softens my heart a bit toward her.  She can't help her own ignorance.  But I want to wipe this stigma away with the truth. I want Ben to have the respect he deserves. I want this for every brave person coping with mental illness.

Neuroscience Symposium at Yale

For a living, I make people laugh (radio broadcaster, VO talent, emcee, stage actress).  My hobby? Neuroscience.  It actually comes in quite handy, and not just in understanding my son's schizophrenia.

From the "Neuroscience 2010" symposium at Yale yesterday: Kay Jamison Redfield (An Unquiet Mind), award recipient, reminding us that love makes a huge difference in recovery. Re her late husband: "My rage was no match for his wit." How often it helps to keep a sense of humor, even in the middle of a loved one's crisis. Sometimes it's all you can do to locate your own sanity.

Big topic: early detection, possible prevention. According to John Krystal, MD, Chairman of Psychiatry at Yale School of Med, "brain changes associated with psychiatric illness can be prevented and reversed."  Another presenter warns us that "mental illness is like paraplegia of the brain - we can't change that it happened, but how we deal with it can make all the difference in quality of life." Hope, realism, acceptance - all echoed in one morning.

But, clearly, if full psychosis can be prevented by alert professionals and family members, the outlook is better.  More understanding, less judgment, more hope.  Keep funding research, please!