Elyn Saks (University of Southern California), "Schizophrenia and I: Making Peace with my Mental Illness"
Philosophy of Psychiatry Webinar | Winter 2023
"Schizophrenia and I: Making Peace with my Mental Illness"
Elyn Saks (University of Southern California)
Thursday, April 6, 2023
12:00-1:30 PM
Abstract: This talk will discuss my life-long relationship with schizophrenia. Although it may seem counterintuitive to think of one's psychotic illness as a "friend," I have found that my relationship with schizophrenia bears similarities to other important relationships in my life. My remarks will address how discovering and nurturing this life-long relationship—that is, "making friends with my schizophrenia"—has helped me find a life worth living. In this talk I will describe how I experience psychotic symptoms, the trajectory of my illness, how the use of state-sponsored force has threatened to destabilize fundamental aspects of my autonomy and identity in my journey toward recovery, and how the integration of medication and talk therapy has brought me to where I am today such that I no longer view myself as deeply at odds with my illness.
The webinar is free but registration is required: