Schizophrenia As I Live It (audio)
I discuss navigating the labyrinth of paranoid schizophrenia as a personal and Informative journey. I'm Diana Dirkby, and I'm living with paranoid schizophrenia. In this podcast, I'll open up about my experiences with this complex brain disorder while also providing a comprehensive overview of schizophrenia itself. Despite sharing common symptoms, each individual's journey with schizophrenia is unique. We all seek tools and strategies to manage our symptoms within the context of our unique lives. As mental health consumers, we are responsible for sharing our experiences openly and honestly. By doing so, we can help combat the stigma associated with schizophrenia. We can empower listeners to understand what psychosis truly feels like, dispelling the fear and misconceptions that often surround it. While a schizophrenic episode can be an intense and overwhelming experience, it's important to remember that the person experiencing it is usually not a threat to others. Beyond my experiences with schizophrenia, I'll also share aspects of my life that transcend my mental health condition. This serves as a reminder that mental health consumers are multifaceted individuals, not defined solely by their diagnoses. My fiction novel, "The Overlife: A Tale of Schizophrenia," is based on a deeply personal exploration of my own experiences and those of my mother. It's available as a Kindle and paperback book (visit https://www.amazon.com/author/diana_dirkby or search for "Diana Dirkby" on Amazon). An audiobook version will be released soon. For more information, please visit my website: https://overliveschizophrenia.com/. Part 1 of this podcast aired during the prepublication phase of my novel. Now the book has appeared, Part 2 assumes you have access to it. You can still follow along without having read it. However, reading the book will help you understand and appreciate my podcast. Together, we can break down barriers and promote open conversations about mental health. Thank you for joining me on this journey. #schizophrenia #psychosis #schizoaffective #caregiver #schizophreniaawareness #schizophreniarecovery #schizophreniasupport #schizophreniatreatment #schizophreniahelp #schizophreniamanagement #brainhealthadvocate #brainhealthsupport #brainhealthisimportant #brainhealthawareness #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthmatters #mentalhealthadvocate #mentalhealthsupport #mentalhealthrecovery #mentalhealthsupport #mentalillnesstreatment #mentalhealthmanagement #family #relationships #motherdaughter #daughtermother #fiction #fightthestigmaofmentalillness #fightthestigma
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A family mystery can do more than answer questions, it can hand you an entire novel. After a long break, I’m back to talk about why genealogy has become my most surprising tool for fiction writing, and how digging through records can turn half-remembered oral history into a living, research-backed story world.
I share what I’m working on now: Stay...
You can watch the video of this Podcast on YouTube at https://youtu.be/tfylGCBThWo
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This audio episode is paired with a video episode on my YouTube channel. You can find the video on YouTube at https://youtu.be/mHrK5GjH1BM
Paid promotion with Amazon.com. The links to Amazon.com at the end of this episode description are my Affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
What happens when you annotate a PDF versus a plain text file on your Kindle Scribe? The answer matters m...
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This Episode is paired with the YouTube video https://youtu.be/JbLYMznoda0
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Ever stare at a blank page while your mind wanders everywhere except your story? You're not alone. The modern writer faces an unprecedented battle for attention – from buzzing phones to buzzing thoughts.
Between environmental distractions, digital interruptions, and our own wandering minds, staying focused on creative writing has become increasingly challenging. This struggle is even more pronounced fo...
Finding stability in creative chaos has been my lifelong journey as a fiction writer living with schizophrenia. Drawing wisdom from master storyteller Walter Mosley's advice on daily writing routines, I've discovered powerful connections between maintaining creative discipline and managing mental health challenges.
My mornings belong to fiction writing—after coffee, breakfast, and digital newspape...
Today marks a meaningful transition as I conclude "Schizophrenia As I Live It" and introduce my new creative journey, "Fractured Ink: Writing in Life's Chaos." While living with paranoid schizophrenia remains an essential part of my identity, my fiction writing is expanding to embrace the full spectrum of my experiences.
"Fractured Ink: Writing In Life's Chaos," or &q...
A significant transition is underway as I prepare to close "Schizophrenia as I Live it" and launch my new podcast "Fractured Ink." While schizophrenia has been central to my story, it's just one piece of a complex puzzle that includes complex PTSD, absence epilepsy, and my creative identity as a novelist and poet. These conditions, as I explain, "feed off each other" in ways that c...
Correction: In the podcast, I talk of Dina Martinelli as the author of "Everyone Was Silent." Diane Tarantini wrote this book. My apologies!
Mental illness rarely exists in isolation. Living with paranoid schizophrenia presents daily challenges, but when childhood trauma enters the equation, the struggle intensifies in ways many don't understand. My personal journey with schizophrenia is deeply intertw...
In this episode, I explain why it has been so long since the previous episode. I then discuss the advantages I have found using the fiction genre in writing about mental illness and child abuse in my two novels, "The Overlife. A Tale of Schizophrenia" (www.amazon.com/dp/191685219X) and "Three Kidnapped, Three Siblings, Three Furies" (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DR9K6YMG).
#SameHere #Schizophrenia ...
In this episode, I share my delight in winning an International Impact Book Award for my book "The Overlife, A Tale of Schizophrenia," under my pen name, Diana Dirkby. I talk about the organization that gives these awards and their crucial philanthropic work. The Founder of this organization is Nim Stant. #writing #goodstory #internationalimpactbookawards #schizophrenia #mentalnealth #families
Pastime With ...
Have you ever wondered how mythological Furies could captivate the imagination in a modern-day thriller? Join me, Diana Dirkby, as I unravel the exhilarating journey behind my newly published book, "Three Kidnapped, Three Siblings, Three Furies." This gripping tale explores the mysterious disappearance of three teens from different families in the quaint town of Vraboro, where myth and reality intertwine i...
The struggle between solitude and connection can be a profound one, especially when navigating life with paranoid schizophrenia. Join me, Diana Dirkby, as I share the allure of solitude before finding the love and support of my caregiver spouse, and how it continues to shape my journey through the challenges of absence epilepsy and a recent compression fracture. This episode, 'Schizophrenia and the Temptation o...
What if you could find hope and resilience in the midst of living with paranoid schizophrenia? Join Diana Dirkby as she explores her personal journey in navigating life with this challenging brain disorder. As the host of "Schizophrenia as I Live it," Diana shares how she has built a fulfilling life by setting realistic daily goals and finding support through mental health advocacy groups like NAMI and SAN...
Can the right attitude, therapy, and medication truly allow someone with a mental illness to achieve anything, even their wildest dreams? Join me, Diana Dirkby, as I challenge this widespread notion on "Schizophrenia as I Live It." Through my personal journey living with paranoid schizophrenia, I'll reveal the compromises I've had to make and the reality of managing the illness while pursuing a c...
Struggling to find the perfect way to consume books while managing the symptoms of paranoid schizophrenia? Join me, Diana Dirkby, as I unravel the complexities of reading with visual and auditory hallucinations and why audiobooks have become my sanctuary. Discover my personal journey from battling the chaos of jumbled words on a page to finding comfort in the soothing cadence of a narrator's voice. Gain insight...
Can you imagine navigating the complexities of paranoid schizophrenia while managing a busy online presence? Diana Dirkby takes us through her personal journey, filled with both challenges and triumphs, as she shares the latest updates in her life and work. From launching a new website to revamping her social media profiles, Diana’s story is both inspiring and insightful. She candidly discusses her recent accident a...
What if a person’s greatest insights came during their darkest hours? Join me, Diana Dirkby, as I celebrate a major milestone—my book "The Overlife: A Tale of Schizophrenia" has become a bestseller on Amazon Kindle! I'll share exclusive details on where you can purchase this powerful story and highlight the unique experience offered by the audiobook version, narrated by the talented Wendy Moman. Plus,...
Have you ever wondered what it's like to navigate the complex world of paranoid schizophrenia while trying to hold on to your true self? My debut novel, "The Overlife: A Tale of Schizophrenia," provides insights into this dilemma. In this heartfelt episode, I open up about my experiences with multiple relapses and psychotic breaks, highlighting the daily challenges and the constant battle to maintain...
Imagine discovering your friend has a mental health diagnosis like schizophrenia. Would you know how to respond, or would fear and hesitation cloud your judgment? This episode promises to smash through societal misconceptions and shed light on the harsh realities many face due to the stigma perpetuated by media misrepresentations. Join me, Diana Dirkby, as I unpack the damaging stereotypes often portrayed in movies,...
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