SZ: The Name Change Option

By Christina Bruni, Health Guide Thursday, October 09, 2008

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When people hear that you have schizophrenia, they have no clue about the disease. A recent study revealed members of the general public believe people diagnosed with SZ need medication, but won't improve. As a writer seeking to publish a memoir, I expect literary agents won't believe there's a tar...

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David Robbins

10/10/08 3:00pm

I'm all for a name change. A while ago, on a diferent site, I suggested that there should be a name change. One person responded back saying "you cannot change a leopard's spots." I've never settled for that. "An avalanche starts with a single snowflake." I'm also on board as far as getting up and saying "I am a person. I have problems just like any one." I will NOT sit on my hands. I will fight for our rights. When I speak, I trying my hardest to reach the unreachable. I talk to MI's and the public. I have a blog on the local newspaper. I do not like to be called crazy or psycho, or nutcase. I'm standing up and fighting. People need to know about the real "SZ". They won't know until I and many others get up and say "this is how it is." I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired. I need to fight this. Will I make a difference..maybe. I won't if I don't try. If there is no try, then there is no do.

Congrats on your memoir Chris. I will one day write mine.

Thank you so much,

Dave

p.s. you got me all fired up.....thank you!

Christina Bruni, Health Guide

10/10/08 3:38pm

Hi Dave,

I tend to be open about things to the people who would benefit from hearing my story.

Unfortunately, I have a friend who was treated poorly once she disclosed.

All in all, we must be courageous and fight and rock on.

Regards,

Christina

Kate K.

10/10/08 7:02pm

Hi Chris,

Congratulations on finishing your memoir and beginning the process of looking for a publisher. I wish you much luck!

I lead such a reclusive life that I don't get the opportunity to even say that I suffer from schizophrenia. I guess I'm most honest about it online than offline and I could see using the shortened version "SZ" in writing, but verbally how do you translate "SZ"? Would you say esszee? I'd feel silly saying that though.

Really what I wish for is not a name change, but a general change of attitude. But the only way attitudes change is when people like you and me come forward and are honest about our diagnosis, thereby showing that we are not some three headed monster. I'm proud of you for writing your memoir and for doing all the things you do to advocate for the mentally ill. I think attitudes about schizophrenia are changing for the better because of treatments (meds, therapy, support groups) that are proving effective and because people are using the internet to inform themselves because mental illness has touched their lives in some way.

You are part of the change that we all seek and your memoir will prove it, hopefully to a wide audience.

Kate : )