Psychology practitioners and schizophrenia: A view from both sides

A practicing psychologist who was diagnosed early in his adult life with schizophrenia was able to establish a career as a practitioner and as an advocate and a number of recommendations for professionals in this field are offered.

Abstract

In recent years some few psychologists, psychiatrists, and other mental health professionals have begun to reveal their own experiences as persons who have been diagnosed with various forms of serious mental illnesses. This article gives a brief background of one such person, a practicing psychologist who was diagnosed early in his adult life with schizophrenia. Despite numerous breakdowns and hospitalizations he was able to establish a career as a practitioner and as an advocate. The article also offers a number of recommendations for professionals in this field based on the author's experiences as both a recipient and a provider of psychological services to persons with schizophrenia and other serious mental illnesses.