Schizophrenia has been around since the dawn of time but actually treating it has only been around the past 100 years. In this episode host and schizophrenic Rachel Star Withers takes you through the dark and disturbing evolution of schizophrenia treatments. From systematic euthanasia to hydrotherapy, electroconvulsive therapy to the infamous lobotomy. Were these doctors "mad scientists" torturing the mentally ill or were they the only ones trying to help a population of people seen as a burden?  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Sarah Kopelovich, a schizophrenia caregiver training expert, joins to discuss challenges faced by caregivers, importance of small gestures and self-care, navigating family dynamics during a pandemic, empowering families through training, and the significance of effective communication in caregiving for individuals with schizophrenia.

Can people with schizophrenia love? Can they date or get married? Host Rachel Star Withers, a diagnosed schizophrenic, and co-host Gabe Howard review their own past experiences. Andrew and Stephanie Downing, authors of “Marriage and Schizophrenia: Eyes on the Prize” join and share their incredible journey and love. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rates of psychosis are more strongly influenced by ethnicity and socioeconomic status than any other mental health condition. In this episode of Inside Schizophrenia host Rachel Star Withers, a diagnosed schizophrenic, and co-host Gabe Howard discuss the impact of schizophrenia in minority communities. Guest Sakinah “The Muslim Hippie” joins to share her experiences in mental health care. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Some of the professionals that work most with helping people with schizophrenia are nurses. There are so many types with different skill sets. Host Rachel Star Withers and Co-host Gabe Howards learn who these often overlooked healthcare workers are. Dr. Tari Dilks, Professor and President of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association, joins with insight on what goes into being a psychiatric nurse.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Men and women experience schizophrenia differently; from the age of onset to symptoms and how society treats those with mental disorders. Schizophrenic, Rachel Star Withers and co-host Gabe Howard continue the discussion of the differences from the last episode but change the focus to men. Jason Jepson, an author who has schizophrenia joins for a man’s perspective and Dr. Hayden Finch returns to explain the clinical side of the issues. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Often we don't really consider gender dynamics in treatment or medication. A lot of medications are only tested on men because of the risk of pregnancy, etc. This means there are whole drugs that have made it to market that may not have ever been tested with women. Schizophrenia affects women in many different ways than men. This episode discusses differences in age, symptoms, treatments, lifestyle, parenthood in the genders as they experience schizophrenia. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Comorbidity is the presence of one or more additional conditions co-occurring with a primary condition. In this episode, host schizophrenic Rachel Star Withers with her cohost Gabe Howard will be discussing comorbidity with schizophrenia. Comorbidity is associated with worse health outcomes, more complex clinical management and increased health care costs. Occupational therapist Brock Cook will be joining us to discuss ways that he works with people with schizophrenia to manage multiple health issues. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Medication, Therapy, Hospitalization, Electroconvulsive Therapy- what are the treatment strategies for schizophrenia? How do you convince someone they need help? What if someone refuses treatment? Schizophrenic Rachel Star Withers with co-host Gabe Howard reveal different treatments they have undergone over the years with various outcomes. Guest Barbara Thompson, with NAMI, shares support options for people with schizophrenia and their family in the community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What exactly is psychosis? What happens in the brain of a person with schizophrenia who is hallucinating? Schizophrenic Rachel Star Withers shares her personal hallucinations and delusions and Dr. Joseph Goldberg, who specializes in researching what goes on in the brain when someone is experiencing psychosis, joins to break down how the brain functions during psychotic episodes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices