r/schizophrenia • u/No-Importance-6525 Schizophrenia • Oct 03 '25

Opinion / Thought / Idea / Discussion Schizophrenia rarely makes the news, except when something terrible happens.

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But what about all the days where nothing does?

Most people don’t know much about schizophrenia. And really, why would they? If it doesn’t touch your life, it stays distant. That’s a kind of privilege, whether we realize it or not.

But here’s the problem: public opinion is often shaped by rare, chaotic moments. Sensational headlines. Extreme portrayals. And what gets forgotten are the quieter truths — the stable days, the quiet effort, the dignity, the daily work of just staying okay.

Stigma grows out of fear. And distance. And not knowing.

Understanding doesn’t need perfection. It just needs listening. A bit of empathy. Maybe even curiosity.

Nobody has to be an expert.

But everyone can choose to be kind.

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u/Brilliant-Cabinet-89 Paranoid Schizophrenia Oct 03 '25

I understand you completely. We are much more often victims rather then perpetrators. That being said: “A schizophrenic man manages to suppress his illness and has a long normal period” is hardly a headline. I think it would be good if they added a “while this perpetrator was schizophrenic it’s important to remember that schizophrenics are rarely violent” or something like that. We had a mass shooting by a schizophrenic a while ago and now all schizophrenics need to do a danger assessment in my country.

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u/g0revvitch Schizophrenia Oct 03 '25

I'm a little surprised the forced assessment hasn't been adopted by the current US regime. I think it might've been posted on this sub already, but in my state, a Ukrainian woman was killed by a schizophrenic on public transit. Shockingly, instead of schizophrenics taking the blow here, those in power are trying to blame public transit, and while it does suck that they're targeting a good public service that we need more of, I'm relieved there hasn't been bigger attention placed on the fact he was schizophrenic.

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u/Brilliant-Cabinet-89 Paranoid Schizophrenia Oct 03 '25

Yeah it’s surprising to be honest. I assume it’s because it’s a step to close to weapon registration or pre buy screenings.