hylzz

The meds shorten lifespan? How significantly? My dad has been on risperidone and other assorted antidepressants since the Vietnam War and reading that just broke my heart.

Thank you!

Thank you for doing the work you do! My dad was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia while serving in the Vietnam War, and has been classified as a 100% disabled vet ever since. His illness is well controlled with meds and he takes pretty good care of himself, and I really didn't realize the unusual things about his behavior until I was in my late teens. I have a few questions: how critical do you believe genetics are in this? I have some pretty severe (but controlled) depression myself, and as a female, I've always been worried about bringing a kid into the world someday with this mental illness variety pack in our family line.

What are the best things I can do to both better understand my dad's illness and to handle the "bad" days more effectively? Anything I can do that would help him?

Lastly, in terms of awareness and advocacy, what's the best thing to say to people who don't know much about it? I've had a few friends growing up who, when I told them my dad is schizophrenic, weren't allowed to come over anymore because their parents figured he was dangerous or something. That was always incredibly painful and I'd love to help stop the stigma.

Thank you so much, and I'd love to answer any questions from my 27 years of experience with my awesome dad!

Thank you for posting this. I plan on reading his book. I've grown up with a paranoid schizophrenic dad, and add I've gotten older I desperately want to just understand what he goes through. He won't really talk about it with his kids.

I'm interviewing for an Oncology Coordinator job this week at a comprehensive cancer hospital. What could someone like that (non-nursing staff) do to really make a difference for a patient?