I am very grateful for the many kind people in my life who encouraged me after I was diagnosed with schizophrenia. Many of my parents’ friends took the initiative, treating me like I was no different than any other person, and ignoring my medication-induced drowsiness and comatose appearance. Friends took me to lunch, on walks, and to fun events, such as seeing the symphony orchestra downtown. A university student about my age invited me to spend a few days as a guest on her campus.

Unfortunately, many patients who are diagnosed with schizophrenia do not experience such a loving and kind response because of the stigma. Even well-meaning immediate family members and close friends may not know how to respond to a schizophrenia diagnosis. Patients who decide to disclose may be asked if they are dangerous. In my own experience, a religious leader I admired questioned whether schizophrenia was a result of demon possession. He was unaware that schizophrenia is a neurochemical brain disease.

Sometimes I think about the response I would have been given if I were diagnosed with any other severe illness, such as diabetes, heart disease, or cancer. I would find support from all of my family and many friends, meet with my pastor (or other religious leader) for counseling and encouragement, and consider joining a support group. Friends would send cards and flowers, telling me not to give up, and assuring me that I would get better.

Fortunately, psychiatric patients who do not have support from family, friends, religious leaders or others can find support from knowledgeable and caring counselors, psychiatrists, psychologists and social workers. But I hope that someday the stigma will disappear, and patients who disclose that they are mentally ill will be treated with compassion, as though they were suffering from any other disease.

I know what it means to be treated with dignity and compassion while mentally ill, because this is what happened to me. When I was diagnosed, the people in my life looked deeper, and searched for the real me that was still there, behind the mask of the mental illness. Underneath my drugged appearance, I had a sense of humor, interests, dreams, and musical ability. I was still me.

The key to eliminating stigma is seeing each psychiatric patient as a real person with interests, hopes and dreams, and a unique personality. Then, the stigma will begin to disappear, one life at a time.