Schizophrenia Diagnosis: Impact on Family and Friends

At first it was really difficult for me because many of my inserted thoughts were supposedly coming from loved ones, and that caused me to isolate and estrange myself quite a lot. It also caused doubt and denial of traumatic memories with which I was afflicted. Still today I wonder if they use my diagnosis as an excuse not to believe me, although I have come a long way and learned to distance myself from connecting those things with my self worth and valuing relationships. It has taken a lot of work, but so worthwhile. My family is pretty accepting. This may or may not be the case for everyone.

I got offically diagnosed twice. Once at my college psychology clinic and then almost 2 years later by a psychologist. But I began showing symptoms at 16

I had my first episode of psychosis when I was 24 but it took a few years before we reached a diagnosis that fit. The overall experience actually (eventually) brought my family a lot closer. I’m very lucky that I had such a supportive family and I know that’s been key to my success. As far as my friends go I actually lost a lot of friends and unfortunately now the vast majority of my friends have no clue what my diagnosis is or even have any clue what I’ve been through. I really am hoping for the stigma to get better because I do sometimes feel like I’m hiding a huge part of myself. Despite that, my friendships are more genuine than before I got sick because I put up with a lost less BS and “fake” people than I used to. It’s taken a very long time but I’m finally past the anger and actually grateful for what I went through. It made me so strong and real. ❤️