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Most of us have undoubtedly noticed famous people with schizophrenia among history's most brilliant minds. We've all heard stories about great intellectuals and inventors succumbing to depression, having breakdowns, and committing suicide.
While there is a major stigma associated with mental illness and creative genius, we can't help but recognize that so many bright and historically influential people have shown signs of mental illness. Let's take a deeper look at famous people with schizophrenia and their backstories.
Understanding Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a mental health illness characterized by an abnormal perception of reality. Schizophrenia is a chronic brain condition that affects less than 1% of the population in the United States.
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When the condition is active, the person may have episodes in which they are unable to discriminate between actual and unreal sensations. The severity, length, and severity of symptoms can vary as with any illness; however, among people with schizophrenia, the occurrence of significant psychotic symptoms frequently declines as the person grows older.
Hallucinations, delusions, and profoundly disorganized thoughts and behaviour are common signs of schizophrenia. Schizophrenia, like other forms of mental disease, can severely affect a person's day-to-day functioning and be exceedingly disabling.
Who Are Some of the Famous People with Schizophrenia?
You may believe that the terms schizophrenia and famous persons are incompatible, but think again. A number of famous people with schizophrenia have gone public with their diagnosis in an effort to remove the stigma associated with mental illness. Their brave decision to talk publicly about their experiences with schizophrenia makes others feel less isolated in their struggles, decreasing stigma and embarrassment.
Read on for a list of famous people with schizophrenia, as well as those who experts believe have suffered with the condition in the past or are currently suffering from it.
1) Mary Todd Lincoln
Experts who analyzed her and President Abraham Lincoln's writings about her behaviours and challenges gave her a historical diagnosis of schizophrenia. However, it is not very clear if the diagnosis is accurate. Some believe that that her symptoms were indicative of bipolar disorder.
2) Michaelangelo
Anthony Storr, the author of The Dynamics of Creation, argues about reasons to assume that this iconic artist, one of history's greatest creative geniuses, suffered from schizophrenia.
3) Vivien Leigh
According to author Ann Edwards, the actress who played the impulsive Scarlett O'Hara in the film Gone With the Wind suffered from a mental disorder similar to schizophrenia.
4) Zelda Fitzgerald
Zelda Fitzgerald is most known for her marriage to F. Scott Fitzgerald, an American modernist writer.
Fitzgerald received a diagnosis of schizophrenia at the age of 30 in 1930. She spent the rest of her life, until her death in 1948, in and out of mental health facilities. Her struggles with mental illness were widely publicised.
5) John Nash
You possibly heard of him from the critically acclaimed Hollywood film "A Beautiful Mind," which depicted Nash's life from the time of his diagnosis until his death. Nash's mental ailment originally manifested itself as paranoia; he seemed to assume that all men wearing red ties had been part of a communist plot against him.
6) Tom Harrell
Harrell, a legendary jazz trumpet player, and composer, remains to produce and compose music. He speaks freely about his illness troubles with the aim of assisting others in dealing with their own difficulties. He credits music and medications with allowing him to work well into his 60s while maintaining at the top of his game.
Treatment of Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is often treated with a mix of medication and therapy that is individualized to each individual. In most situations, treatment will include antipsychotic medications and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).
People with schizophrenia are typically helped by a community mental health group, which can provide day-to-day care and therapy based on the requirements of each individual. A lot of individuals recover from schizophrenia, though they may experience relapses. Assistance and treatment can assist to lessen the impact of the disease on daily living.
Schizophrenia is a chronic mental illness that can influence almost every part of your life. It can have an impact on your thinking, as well as your behaviour, relationships, and feelings. The outcome is unknown in the absence of early diagnosis and treatment.
Because of the intricacies of the mental condition, famous people with schizophrenia disorder have spoken up about their own experiences. Their experiences serve as motivation, and their acts help to combat the disorder's stigma.
Janvi Kapur is a counselor with a Master's degree in applied psychology with a specialization in clinical psychology.
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