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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 career. As a former research mathematician turned writer, I share how redefining success and finding fulfillment has been crucial in my journey. 

Hear the unvarnished truth about balancing ambition with acceptance and why it's important to choose supportive collaborators and projects that align with your strengths. I'll also discuss my fictional work, "The Overlife," which mirrors my experiences with schizophrenia. Whether you live with a mental illness or support someone who does, this episode offers valuable insights into achieving a fulfilling life without being unfairly blamed for struggles or pressured by unattainable role models. Listen in for a candid conversation on finding happiness and fulfillment amidst the challenges.

#DianaDirkby #TheOverlife #A TaleofSchizophrenia #Schizophrenia #MentalIllness #FamilyDynamics #CaregiverBurden #Resilience #Hope #MentalHealthAwareness #MentalHealthStigma #Strength #Love #Compassion #SecondChance #Transformation #Fiction #MentalHealthPortrayal #FamilyStruggles #EmotionalTurmoil #PoignantStory #GrippingNarrative #UnforgettableCharacters #MustReadBook

Pastime With Good Company by King Henry VIII, played by The Chestnut Brass Company 

Pastime With Good Company, composed by King Henry VIII, played by The Chestnut Brass Company

Episode Transcript

I (00:01):
Hello, my name is Diana Dirkby and I live with paranoid
schizophrenia.
You are listening to my podcastSchizophrenia as I Live it.
One of the most misleadingassertions about mental health
consumers I hear both frompeople who stigmatize mental

(00:21):
illness and those who fight thestigma of mental illness, is
with the correct attitude,therapy and medication, a
mentally ill person can doanything they want, including
realizing their dreams.
Those who stigmatize mentalillness use this assertion as an

(00:42):
excuse not to show compassionto consumers of mental health
when they are struggling.
The struggle must be the faultof the person who has a mental
illness, but the wrong attitude.
Those who fight the stigma usethis assertion to encourage
consumers of mental health tolook to successful role models

(01:02):
who live with a mental illness.
Such role models are oftenmental health consumers with
talent, good luck and supportfrom friends and family.
They may be geniuses, like themathematician John Nash, who my
spouse and I met when we livedin Princeton and who lived with
schizophrenia.
In my case, the invasion by thebrain disorder, schizophrenia,

(01:26):
of my mother's world and minewas only manageable through
making giant compromises.
Some of my listeners know methrough my social media, for
example my Instagramdianadirkby_ account at
dianadirkby_ writings account atdianaderkby under slash

(01:51):
writings.
The posst show that I had acareer as a research
mathematician before I tookearly retirement and became a
writer.
I had always been a writer, butretirement from mathematics
left the room to focus seriouslyon publication.
I have two books published theOverlife, A Total of
Schizophrenia, based on mymother and my experiences with
schizophrenia, though the bookis in the fiction genre.
My forthcoming book is ThreeKidnapped, Three Siblings, Three

(02:14):
Furies.
In the book the Overlife, thenarrator, Sarah, who mirrors my
experience with the illnessschizophrenia, has nonetheless a
different life path to mine dueto various good fortune and
misfortune from her life and thepeople she knows that I did not
experience.
Such is the freedom of fiction.

(02:37):
You may ask how I made a careeras a research mathematician and
that I also can write well.
The answer is that I was at aconsiderable disadvantage
compared with my colleagues inmathematics without a mental
illness, and that writing can bea challenge when schizophrenia
symptoms take the upper hand.

(02:58):
I am a mathematician and awriter despite schizophrenia,
one who has had to makecompromises and still hold down
a job as a mathematician, onewho writes by keeping
schizophrenia symptoms at bay.
It became clear to me early on,as it did to my character,

(03:19):
Sarah, that my mother'sschizophrenia and mine would
prevent me from reaching my fullpotential, as it is viewed by
the most talented and ambitiouspeople I would meet along my way
in life.
I was initially disappointed bythis prospect, but within a few
years I could replace it withthe goals: do well enough to

(03:41):
keep your job and ensure youenjoy your life as much as
possible.
That's exactly how I made acareer in mathematics.
I chose the math problems Iliked and the collaborators who
would support my situation, andI worked on those problems with
those people.
I also did a lot of solo work,where you have a lot of

(04:03):
flexibility to work when you areat your best and rest when you
aren't.
An analogy may be to imaginesomeone on a large sea in a
little boat big enough to keepthem safe and get them where
they want to go.
Even though they may have manybigger ships for competition,
their little boat may becomfortable and not shy away

(04:25):
from weighing anchor in asheltered bay to ride out a
storm in relative tranquility.
You have a different experience, but still reach your goal,
even though many others may getthere before you.
You have to let the fact thatyou are not first to be
irrelevant to your happiness.
There are many very successfulpeople living with a mental

(04:48):
illness, people right at the topof their chosen profession.
In fighting stigma, it is goodto let people know that someone
can manage both a mental illnessand be among the best in their
chosen career.
The error is to allow theserole models at the top to
dominate the list of peoplemental health advocacy boasts

(05:10):
about.
It is also a massiveachievement to live with a
mental illness and be happy andfulfilled, even if you aren't
famous.
That is much closer to the normand is a worthwhile quest.
Through therapy and medication,give yourself good tools.
Then find a way to be fulfilledand happy, even though some

(05:31):
dreams you may have had arenever realized.
Thank you for listening.