Thanks for the suggestion Collin. I am interested as I experience hallucinations and wonder what comonality there is between them.

Its the same as people thinking to be disabled you must be in a wheelchair.

Most people get all their knowledge of schizophrenia from criminal minds episodes. It's great that you are open about living with the condition. I've got PTSD and a big part of managing it for me was educating the people I'm close too so they can understand how it works. Like if I vanish into isolation, it's not personal, I'm just needing to be alone. I hope people around you learn from your experiences.

I applaud you & your bravery. I wish you the best. Just keep continuing to be the best you can be. I have my own struggles, although not the same as yours. Everyone does. I guess.

Interesting and enlightening post. Thank you.

You are part of the 7 percentage that deal with very similar feelings. we humans have a collective weakness [ of 7 %]

Well, the being a gay atheist part I certainly relate to. If people disapprove, they will erroneously tie any number of issues together, "blaming" anything they see as negative on the other thing they Don't approve of.
I am an LCSW psychotherapist, too, and I absolutely see examples of what you mention, judgment from the uninformed.

I have Borderline Personality. Most people believe that means I have multiple personalities. It gets very tiring explaining that isn't what it is. Once I get that through their heads, I have to deal with the questions about whether or not I am just nuts or completely/dangerously nuts.

Sighs