I Am Not A Monster: Schizophrenia | Cecilia McGough | TEDxPSU
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- Опубликовано: 19 апр 2024
- Cecilia McGough puts a face to schizophrenia and helps empower college students through the upcoming non-profit Students With Schizophrenia.
Students With Schizophrenia: sites.psu.edu/studentswithschi...
I Am Not A Monster: SCHIZOPHRENIA: sites.psu.edu/ceciliamcgough/
Cecilia McGough is an astronomer, activist, and writer as a Penn State Schreyer Honors College scholar pursuing a major in Astronomy & Astrophysics. Cecilia is the founder and current president of the Penn State Pulsar Search Collaboratory. She has been participating in pulsar research continuously since December of 2009, co-discovering pulsar J1930-1852 with the widest orbit ever observed around another neutron star, competing in the International Space Olympics held in Russia, and co-authoring her research in the Astrophysics Journal. Cecilia is a mental health activist in fighting against the negative stigma towards mental illness. She is the founder and chief executive officer (CEO) of the soon to launch non-profit Students With Schizophrenia which is the only non-profit in the United States focused on empowering college students with schizophrenia.
This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at ted.com/tedx
"I am not much different from any of you"
Idk there big dog, I didn't discover a star in high school while fighting off giant spiders and getting stabbed in the face by IT. You're a lot more badass than I am
such a beautiful comment lol ♥
Hah. I think it was the chick from the ring that would stab her in the face but, you’re right.
Exactly
Bruuuuuhhhh this is my favorite comment
Seriously. She's like this brilliant scientist who is also fighting D & D bosses...
NO ONES GOING TO TALK ABOUT HOW SHE DESCOVERED A STAR *IN HIGH SCHOOL* ?!?!
Sarasplenda i know right! That’s amazing, and she did it despite challenges, I’m so inspired by her 💕
Yea altho she is really inspiring discovering stars is very common in the scientific community
She just hallucinated that
@@sam-wm2dd not if others also saw it
@@sam-wm2dd Not cool.
This sounds horrifying. Imagine seeing the scariest things and having nobody take you seriously. So scary. People with schizophrenia need more recognition.
We do need more representation
Try to drink alcohol every day all day for 2 weeks, and you will experience the same. Yes it is horrifying haha.
Challenge accepted. Though, I figured lack of sleep is more of a contributing factor for hallucinations.
Its also scary when they get into fight mode. Saying they wanna see the blood spulrt from your neck and wash their face in it.
At least thats scary to me, dont know bout you guys tho
@@hildagrauls5138 Who said that to you
I have Schizophrenia, and this makes me feel seen. I’ve dealt with it since I was 10 (I am 18 now, and soon to be 19) and it’s been a very big struggle for me. I am like her in the sense that I can differentiate between a hallucination and reality. I am able to tell when I’m hallucinating, but it’s still difficult for me to deal with. I’m really happy that I found this video.
Thanks for this comment even tho years later I see it , it helps me. I was around 10 or so when mine started and hallucinations went away when I was 17 I am 34 now I was left with the other issues if I don't take care of myself my mental health goes down hill but iv been bettering myself for years , your comment helped me I hope mine helps you 😇 and hope you are well today
You are loved I'm so sorry for you mental illness, my dear suffers from so I understand.
Do you guys feel others are hearing ur thoughts
Heyy . I am a similarly disadvantaged person . Can we talk ?
Dude I can’t even do a presentation with a few people in the room and she’s doing it in front of hundreds and a clown who looks like IT
Pennywise, his name.
@Justin Bos that's the point, she has schizophrenia, which manifests as her hallucinating a clown
What if she's not hallucinating and someone else sees it also?
Justin Bos dont be rude.
TheUnconventionalDeal don’t discredit her illness.
Imagine giving this speech while IT clown was taunting you from the crowd or behind your ear. Strong individual here.
Matthew he’s called PENNYWISE
I was thinking the same thing as she was speaking. Wow...im inspired
Just pop bunch of neuroleptics before
I want to like this but its at 666 and i dont want to spoil it.
@@ashtynstormes1734 😂 I do that all the time. We need one more comment for it to be 666 6
I have OCD, I have unwanted and intrusive distressing thoughts which never leave me alone. I also suffered a stress induced nervous breakdown, which caused me to have very scary and real hallucinations. I have also felt ashamed to tell people about it. Thank you for sharing your story. ❤️
You’re not alone same here ❤️
meeee
Having this disease and achieving everything she has achieved... She is the real superhero and an amazingly strong person.
Not a virchowian disease
disorder not disease
I think schizophrenia has been demonized in movies.
Donny Darko
In all kinds of media, unfortunately
@@Mtz2604 True. I feel Hitchock's Psycho was the pioneer.
Agreed, but the good thing is, our vision of things are changing now-a-days
@@EliudLeMoine Hope so. It's high time!
My father had schizophrenia, he heard voices threatening me and my sister. He was scared and couldn’t sleep or eat and they told him to hurt people but he knew he wasn’t going to ever hurt a soul. He took his own life last year September 6th. He wrote diaries and he did sketches. He wasn’t a monster and he was scared, his name was Stephen. Edit: I was just diagnosed with borderline personality disorder and go through episodes of hallucinations, I know how my dad felt and I thank him for being so strong.
Coral Denmark I’m very sorry to hear, Coral. May he rest in eternal peace. x
Rest in peace Stephen
i am so sorry Coral. so many people with schizophrenia don't make it. I wish you well and hope you do have support to help you in processing and dealing with your loss.
Heart breaking ❤️
Coral Denmark I’m so very sorry for your loss. Mental illness is such a difficult thing to deal with. He was a very strong man for a very long time. I pray for your healing. Stay strong, love. And may he rest peacefully. ❤️
Cecilia is amazing, such a strong woman. I've been suffering from depression since childhood and couldn't get into university and get a degree due to it. My biggest achievement so far has been staying alive and it saddens me. I wish I were stronger, not just strong enough to survive but strong enough to make my life right.
You fight a battle everyday. I too have these thoughts, but I try to remember the days I thought I should only be locked away and never would do anything. Some days showering is an accomplishment, some days I clean my whole house and kill it at work, some days we just stay alive and that is the strongest thing we can ever do. Tell your truth, no matter how agonizing it is to be in at times, because someone else will hear your story as their story and doing that is one of the bravest things you can do.
@@shannonbook3493 You are right, Shannon. Thank you for sharing with me your thoughts on this matter. As you said, even showering is an accomplishment, and as such we have to recognise the worth of our small actions. Any small success is success after all. Once again, thank you for your comment.
I'm so happy we are all here together, fighting to survive another day.
@@sarahs1849 I too am very glad to see we are all here, fighting and not quitting on ourselves.
Bro, if you’ve managed to stay alive all this time with depression then you are STRONG, you’re bloody strong. The things that aren’t ‘right’ with your life aren’t because of you, they’re because of your depression, they’re because every day you have to fight 100x harder to do anything. You can do it mate
I was in a psych ward.
I witnessed schizophrenics in psychosis.
It was frightening. Yet, even in their psychosis, I heard pearls of wisdom.
I wept for them.
I wept when I saw one get sedated.. even though I was the only minor in the place I heard others crying with me
This is the best coments I ever read about so beautiful human 😊
“I’m just someone who cannot turn off my nightmares, even when I’m awake.” WOW.
I've seen a 14 year old with psychosis, it's like he was speaking a different language, the incoherence of his sentences, and when he realised that the doctor wasn't understanding what he was saying, he stopped talking, because he knew there was no point carrying on the conversation.
It was a lot like mumbling in your sleep when you're having a bad dream. I get chills just thinking about it.
i'm a type 2 schizo(schizophrenia with BPD triggers) an i approve this message 😂
We live in a nightmare reality
@@multi_verse8636 does a man dream hes a butterfly, or is it the butterfly dreaming its a man? are the nightmares happening to us, or are we making them happen? (its a lil of both i think, but i wanna get your opinion.)
762 to 763
“The clown is in the audience right now.” That sent shivers down my spine
when was that in the vid
I'M SORRY BUT I WOULD HAVE FROZEN IN MY SEAT I know she's seeing it and I'm not making fun of her but she said others freaking out makes it worse so I'd just be like o.0 internally LOL
Giovanna Cognito 6:17
Omg same!
she should have pointed him out, and have everyone in the room look at him, point at him, and laugh him out of the room.
She is absolutely amazing.
She a amazing yep I agree
She lives while 259 has killed them the same time. That's not the help we need
@@honigtopf7579 Can you paraphrase your comment? I don't get it - 259 people died because of her help? I don't understand what you're trying to say
@@Deadhammer218 she survived but so many take there lives we need more help than that
@@honigtopf7579 It sounds like you’re advocating for more non-profit organizations that deals with schizophrenia in general, not just young people in the USA. Good for you, now get to work on making that happen.
I recgonized her from SBSK and seeing her now is such a transformation! She was so closed in and no eye contact and seeing her on stage is amazing! Well done!
Actually
This is an old talk. This is five years old. Around the same
Time that interview came out. However SBSK came out with a NEW interview with her and
She HAS grown a lot !! It’s amazing
same, came from there
Me too! Awe the thumbnail and immediately thought, “hey she looks familiar!”
I love SBSK! I want to be interviewed but I’m all the way in the UK.
That’s why she looked so familiar then !
Shawty really co-discovered a pulsar in high school while fighting off Pennywise, Aragog, and Samara and I can’t even do long division
saw my name and felt real confronted for a sec
Plot twist: she’s just being bullied by scps
@@1Fatherlesschild Lmfao
@@samcopernicus Oop-
@em sevilla 👏👏👏👏
"The color red triggers me"
me: sweating hoping she doesnt turn around and see the GIANT RED TED SIGN BEHIND HER
Isn't it blue for that precise reason?
they made sure to keep it in shadow for that reason
Did anyone else notice her website or forum was red and white?
Not cool
generally people with triggers can still handle small amounts of them through coping mechanisms, depending on how severe, how fresh, etc.
her bravery will change lives and all of the pain will transform lives too.
It takes a lot of courage to make a statement like that, I admire you and what you do for all of humanity.
People with schizophrenia are normal people too , and you proved it
they are, by definition, not ‘normal’
I don’t have such problems with perception, don’t fight this. But after this video I feel more weaker than all people who fight this. Guys you’re warriors! Adore you all. Brain just bugged… not your fault. Such important thing Sicilia doing! I’m sorry to find out that some of you guys straggle so much. Big respect to brave, smart, beautiful Sicilia and to you all guys!! I’m absolutely okay to have friends like you and if someone is not - it’s their problem, not yours. I would say they just bad people
PS: Jesus, this story about police! So unfair!!!
(I’m sorry, bad English)
@@zackz1260there is no normal. Schizophrenia is her normal. Who gets to decide who's normal is the real one?
Great talk. I love how she says repeatedly “I have schizophrenia,” and not, “I am schizophrenic.” Important identity distinction.
Is this a jab at the Autism community?
Sun John wtf are you talking about
James Ricker I love that also. because at the end of the day she has a medical condition, she isn’t a medical condition.
William Boone - Exactly. Not a clue what this Sun guy is talking about. Seems like if someone is looking to be offended they’ll find a way no matter how positive the comment.
Sun John no, it’s called person first language.
"We all see hear and feels stuff when we're dreaming. I'm just someone who can't turn off my nightmares when I'm awake."
That's terrible. I'm so sorry.
I do not have schizophrenia but I have been interested in becoming educated about it. I had wondered what causes the hallucinations and thought about how they sound similar to what goes on when one is falling asleep; when you're still awake but start dreaming. Then upon researching I had read that schizophrenia is waking reality processed through the dreaming brain. It basically said the R.E.M state doesn't shut off upon waking so one is having dreams, or nightmares, while awake. Reading that helped me to get a better understanding of schizophrena. Now, hearing Cecilia I think she explains it very well.
This is perfect to the times like I would end up having chucky dream and the dream ends with him laughing than I wake up to him laughing.
that quote was so perfect
Sometimes happen to me that I am in a nightmare and I became aware of that, then I struggle to wake up and I eventally suceed in waking up.
She is strong because she identified the hallucinations and seeked medical help. A lot of people with schizophrenia genuinely believe that the hallucinations are real and refuse to seek medical help.
Can you Blame them tho? Can you really identify as real what your senses tell you without first person experience?
Ok this is a motivational speech for sure… I hate when celebrities try to lecture us or teach about things they don’t even experience anymore in life. Hearing her talking about her fight against schizophrenia is really commendable and she is a real fighter for her ability to graduate while suffering from this disease. Kudos to her, Miss Cecilia you are a survivor.
A member of Fleetwood Mac had it, a Beach Boy had it, those who got help accepted the world as such survive and live decent outcomes. It's Agnosia percentage that fight medication in their own paranoid world, they need families to go to court for court order healthcare, some strong consistent NAMI and research on how to speak building trust. Often it where's down the family and bad things continue or worsen if you cannot accept the illness in your child and you fight and worsen it.
I'm shook. The clown was in the audience. She's an iron lady. So Incredible!
That was the most powerful moment in the talk for me. I couldn't believe how confident and collected she was in the face of such a terrifying hallucination. Amazing woman.
it made sense to me, i was wondering when she would say it.
When does she mention it?
Ivan Reyes 6:20
Brave girl. I would of ended up talking to the clown on stage.
About the girl with the knife, man, a terrifying demon stabbing you, talking to you, and having access to all your insecurities and using them against you. No wonder why they cannot take it. All scizophrenics are so brave i admire them
How they are brave exactly ? They get used to it before they do they get very scared and even suicidal. I mean I feel sorry for them but calling someone brave just because of the mental issues?
siemniak not everyone gets used to it .... why do you think some take their lives because of this
I have schizophrenia but I wouldn't say I'm brave. I'm forced into this.
But still thanks for the kind words.
@@siemniak because those mental issues are really hard to live with. if you haven't experienced it yourself you can't even begin to imagine how it feels. they are brave for surviving with a mind that's trying to kill them and in a society that keeps telling them they're monsters, just seeking attention, or not trying hard enough
ok i guess you're not brave then @@siemniak
My sister in law has schizophrenia and her first schizophrenic break was in college. High stressors tend to trigger the first episode. Getting the support she needed took years
From a mother, thank you for speaking up and breaking the silence on living with schizophrenia. My son developed sz in his freshman year and has not yet returned.
He is not a monster either. 🙏🏼🧡
We know he is not ❤ his brain just work diferent way I have had pure TOC but at the time I accept myself and told my self I love you no matter what and Im produjo of you and the strong you are :)
A scary laughing clown the sometimes bites, a large spider that makes kid laughing noises as it moves, and a ghost girl that carries a knife and stabs her in face and other places, that's amazing she amount of sheer horror she has dealt with and is still on her way to a successful life, just amazing.
Big A yuuup
These are the extra mild cases. So recovery is possible.
NEWKNOWLEDGE How is this at all mild?
To give you an example, person A may present a report of something that happened to him/her, and the listeners just find this report as being nothing but the outcome of delusions and/or hallucinations. If physical proof of the event that occurred is then presented to the listeners, they then proceed to tell person A what had happened, and do so even though person A had said that this was the case to begin with.
In other words, the "disbelief" of a schizophrenics words is taken so seriously, that despite there being proof of the schizophrenics words being true, the nutcase listeners still feel the schizophrenic has to be informed.
This is total madness.
Right
0:59 "I know what you guys must be thinking..."
Me: Why is there a yellow chicken on that guy's head?
Without your comment, I would have never actually SEEN that yellow chicken toy. It was funny to finally see that chicken :)) And then: your question is just SO valid !
I was thinking the exact same thing!!
I noticed yellow chicken immediately. It was so out of place I thought I'd hallucinated it
Lol
Accurate
My mother is schizophrenic, bipolar, dementia. She lives with me. It’s not easy but I love her. She wasn’t taking her meds so now I do it. She was talking to herself and hearing things before, now she doesn’t. I wish you the best of luck. Thank you so much for this video. ❣️🙏🏻🐾
My mother was schizophrenic. My heart goes out to you, dear. I hope that modern science can help you have a much better life than she had. Bless you. ❤️
I saw when she started to slur her speach as soon as she started her hallucination slides. You could tell that shes not bullshitting.
truth
Yes. ):
Luis Foreal Why would you even need to question that she may be?
numbereightyseven I don’t think he wrote that as a question but rather a statement
I noticed it too. Her voice shakes at some points as well.
"The clown is actually in the audience today..."
Faaaaaaarrrk man.
She's afraid of IT ....
I can imagine the audience members looking around thinking, "wait, what?"
Who's looking forward to the Oscars?
@@valerielinares2068 I've seen another interview with this woman saying she basically never talks about her present hallucinations for that very reason as she's have people in real life interaction with her hallucination by looking in that direction which would enforce it for her and that would be very bad.
@@Bluebuthappy182 That's understandable. My sister has schizophrenia and has mentioned that she doesn't like to talk about what she sees either.
I literally bawled through the entire presentation! My grandmother suffered from paranoid schizophrenia. I suffer from Bipolar 1 Disorder and was just thinking about becoming a mental health advocate! Such an inspiring, important talk!
You should because individuals who personally experience it and are doing great living a healthy life and doing well, are the best individuals to make a difference in someone's life that has not quit got there yet.
Awesome ... My wife has scizophrenia but is ashamed of it and denys it ...
Really wish she would accept it and face it as this young woman does...
I appreciate the video.
Please make sure she gets doctor check ups if possible. My late mom's schizophrenia prevented her from getting a cancerous lump treated early. All the best and you are an amazing person for sticking by.
how could her own mother say such horrible stuff to her....
this makes me sick.
Because she was scared.. Imagine being her mother and receiving that call what would you have done? The perfect, precious child you gave birth to, raised her entire life, protected and nurtured, whose fears you quelled and that you love with every fiber of your being, suddenly calls you from college. Your child tells you they are hallucinating and scared. She is away from home, probably several hours drive or even further, far enough that you can't just go get her right then and there.. I know I'd be scared if I was her mom. And to be fair most people don't understand schizophrenia, or severe dissociative disorders and she probably was afraid that her daughter would be involuntarily hospitalized somewhere actually horrible..
There are so many reasons why her mom reacted the way she did.. Its not fair to judge her for it now.
@@evangeline77x While I agree that being scared of knowing one's child has a mental illness like schizophrenia is natural, I think that any parent should make a move to get the child help instead of supressing it. Regardless of how the parent feels. Rejecting the fact that a child has a chemical imbalance in the brain and preventing them from receiving the proper help has bad outcomes. She mentioned that her mother said, "think of your sisters". A mother telling her child that their siblings wellbeing is more important than going to a doctor for their treatment, especially for mental illness? That really sucks. I know it's unreasonable judge her mother for it now, but it's important for parents to learn about how to deal with their child's mental illness in a way that won't be destructive.
EveVazzz
I highly doubt the mother was educated enough on schizophrenia to know that there would be proper medication out there. She probably thought "Going to the doctor isn't gonna do us any good, so just sit it out". I can imagine she was under the impression that people with schizophrenia just spent their lives in psychiatric institutions.
@@HerrMisterTheo Oh... I understand. So her idea may have been tied to the stigma surrounding schizophrenia.
EveVazzz
Possibly. I don't know her, but I like to give people the benefit of the doubt. I'd like to believe that she didn't dissuade her daughter from getting treatment, because she wanted her to suffer and possibly kill herself.
I will never understand why the stigma surrounding mental health STILL exists. No one looks down on someone for a broken arm. You aren't shamed as being weak when you have cancer. It's messed up.
Liam Tahaney and its more difficult to understand mental illnesses, than a broken arm. and people fear what they dont understand
It's because way back when, the mentally ill were locked up because that's how they used to handle things. Many of us are still afraid to share our diagnosis because we get told it'll go away or you're just faking or you just want attention. Some are even afraid to share what they're feeling because they don't want to go into a mental hospital because of that stigma of being in there.
People with broken arms and cancer don’t go on mass shooting sprees
Nicole Clark 60% of all mass shootings since 1970 in the US were committed by people suffering from paranoia, delusions, and depression
Minty Grace well, the OP didn’t understand the stigma surrounding it. I do agree that they need to be helped
So much courage. She made me want to cry. She touched me in so many ways. She gave me courage to not feel ashamed to go to the doctor for meds. Everyone keeps saying I don’t need them but I’ve been dealing with issues since I was a kid.
Please never feel ashamed. Going to the doctor/psychiatrist is the best thing you can do for yourself and you should be very proud to do so. There are many many people who have some type of brain disorder including people with Alzheimers, dementia, Parkinson, and many more and I categorize all of these disorder amongst the brain disorder category. Each need medication to help reduce or eliminate very difficult symptoms. Never feel ashamed to get help for yourself to live a happy productive life.
When she compared it to having nightmares except she is awake, I think that’s an excellent way to describe it that would connect with people who don’t have it !!
I would like to point out that Cecilia got a standing ovation from the entire audience after this talk. She is such an inspiration, such a champion.
find it embarrassing to bring up and tell people i have schizophrenia. my family knows cause they always take me to the psych ward when it shows up real bad. but i never tell co workers. they would just judge me and treat me different. no doubt. i tried college briefly. hated it. but working a job makes me feel normal. plus it tires me out so i can sleep and have a routine.
also i enjoyed your speech. or your life story. it made me feel better knowing u can have a serious mental illness and still be a productive member of the world.
sara novetsky p
were u trying to say something to me? cause i cannot figure out how to read what u r typing. i see sara novetsky. and the letter p.
Wonderful talk. I'm in the mental health field as an educator, and I found this useful.
"DON´T LET ANYONE TELL YOU THAT YOU CAN´T HAVE A MENTAL ILLNESS AND STILL BE MENTALLY STRONG" . Cecilia is amazing
Facts
IMO ppl with mental health issues are the strongest people
People's everyday stress revolves around their job, meaningless relationships and money
mentally ill people wish that was their everyday stress
I wish thats what i stressed about
She needs to trip
@@unslavement ??
I am a Nursing Professor and I teach about cultures, religions and Mental Health. I wanted you to know that I use your SBSK interview video in my class because it helps students understand this mental health challenge in a beautiful way. I encourage my students to follow not only TED & SBSK (which I ADORE! Keep up the amazing work, it's needed!) but Cecilia's journey! Thank you Cecilia for being so brave! You go girl!!!
i saw cecila’s interview with special books for special kids, i cant believe how far she’s come!!
my aunt has schizophrenia and when she said "I'm just someone who cannot stop my nightmares when I'm awake" that hit me so hard 😭😭
aw:///
I heard that viruses can cause schizophrenia. It’s a virus found in cats. Now there’s an injections that’s about $1,000 a month that’s helps very well. I have an uncle with it and with that shot he is changing very much. Sorry I can’t remember the name of the shot.
My aunt has schizophrenia because of really bad trauma from her childhood and has an alcoholic addiction. My uncle also had it but died at 60 years old
@@avataraang4553 rip 🥺😕
Wow, so sorry, I hope this video can help her somehow to deal with this so difficult situation.
Saw her on a SBSK interview. Her story inspired me to learn more about her condition. I'm so super delighted to hear her on a TED talk AND she's an astrophysicist?!?!! Insane in the most greatest sense possible.
ya, I'm kinda confused why SBSK skipped that part of her.
@@WillKrause21 He focuses more on the disability than the people themselves. They are more like the conductor of info
Yeah I just saw her on SBSK and I was blown away by her story! I'm so proud of her and I hope she's doing well!
@@TheyLoveThemLLC she lookes demeted and robotic almost on that sbsk
That's where I first saw her too. She is amazing.
I remember seeing her on special books for special kids it’s a RUclips channel that is so wonderful at sharing stories and humanizing people who vary with disabilities and diagnosis. Wonderful talk
I was wondering where I recognized her from!
Man i really appreciated her shinning more light on schizophrenia. Personally i think everyone just lacks the knowledge on what schizophrenic individuals deal with so its really empowering to see her face her fears to explain her experiences. Best entry yet 👌
What she's doing is SO important. Destroying this kind of stigma is something that EVERY society needs.
Your name kinda scared me cus my sisters name is Lily K too lmfao-
In spite of her schizophrenia,she is managing her profession so smoothly.Really it is so amazing.She is really very brave and confident..
Lily K You're right and now with this comment you are contributing as well ✌️♥️
having schizophrenia means ur gifted... but its casted out as a sickness in the modern world and they dont know what to do with u! humanity hes gone so wrong.... we lost ourself SO FAR! most exciting time in human history thow! 🤣😉
You're completely right. For my part I came here because my parents have a very pervasive prejudice against these people and I wanted to know the reality of it. I'm really glad that this video exists if only to help give perspective.
"I can't turn off my nightmares when I'm awake".
Nadisha say it louder so true
Nadisha but life is worth living
my live is sometimes a nightmare no voices in head needed
I'm so very glad you know you need medication and that you are willing to take it. My daughter has schizophrenia as well. She is 44 years old now and has had it since she her first year of college. Her whole life has been a cycle of hospitalizations. She absolutely refuses to stay on her medication. We are so worried about her and do not know how to get through to her.
Just keep having discussion with her in short, explaining what you are seeing and if she is in distress mention to her the right medications will help those symptoms diminish or go away. It is very difficult especially if you have tried medications and they did not help her or she is self medicating with marijuana and alcohol or other substances which make it worse.
About 4 years ago, Special Books for Special Kids interviewed her. Her symptoms were so bad that she would not look up or into the camera at all. She had informed us that she don't pay attention to her hallucinations because it causes her to confuse the hallucinations with reality. So was brave then and even braver now. I'm so happy that she has come this far and accomplished so much. I am sorry to hear about her college mate though.
When I saw her on SBSK she couldn’t make eye contact, and here she’s speaking for a TED crowd... wild! Thanks Cecilia for educating me on schizophrenia, and for being an awesome inspiration
Ι think she couldnt make eye contact because there was a hallucination next to the person interviewing her.. im not sure tho :/
@@sarahpapa484 wow, mad respect for this amazing girl
@SS lol yeah that's something I've noticed too, some people are really uncomfortable when someone's looking at them in the eyes.
@SS I've always thought he's a really weird guy, like something about him is off
I had to go bk and check if it was the same person Cos body language is way different. Im glad though that she found a way through it to act “normal” (although I don’t really know what “normal” is)
“Don’t let anyone convince you not to get medical help” THANK YOU
Yes true only medications work
That's the best message from the video
Vit b3?
@Stashu BeeDee bro said what
👏👏👏👏👏
I attended PSU and it breaks my heart they treated u like that… thank u for being the voice for those who can’t speak up ❤
Thank you so much for posting this.. my daughter was diagnosed approximately 10 years ago and the first to a little boy who's now nine years old.. she has fought hard to get better stay compliant and be motivated to work and to raise her little boy the best way with family support.. my daughter has had full custody of her son since birth and now the father decided to pursue custody first by abducting Michael for almost five months with contempt charges and now seeing to prove my daughter unfit and mentally unstable it's so sad seeing what my daughter has to go through I do believe that she's become stronger from this her mental health therapist has her listed as stable and compliant in person is thriving this post was so encouraging to hear in the midst of this emotional conflict that involves her family God bless you
Pretty messed up how the mind can produce such horrible and specific manifestations and inject them into your reality.
Reality can never be scarier than what's inside our own heads.
venom5610 then that would be imagination not hallucination. Obtrusive hallucinations aren't negotiable, unfortunately.
Unless you live in Australia or Montana.
Sounds pretty cool to me. If she wasnt so affected by fantasy creatures and bugs, she wouldnt be so terrified.
I lov ur profile picture
So nice of the Ted crew to change the red circle carpet, which is like their signature, for her. Did anyone notice the "TedxPsu" was also dark/unlit however in most Tedx videos it is usually lit
It's good that they were considerate.
lit af
Damn erza.. Your hair.. Hair.. Cover it up..
I’m pretty sure I first saw this same woman on Sbsk. Her story is very interesting and I’m glad she is comfortable enough to teach people about what she’s going through.
Cecilia thank you for teaching us the world about schizophrenia. Mental health is so very important. Good proactive mental health coincides with our physical health. We treat cancer disease so like cancer schizophrenia is also a disease of brain chemical imbalance just as you explained. You are helping so many people. THANK YOU CECILIA! YOU ARE AWESOME 🎉
The spider while moving sounded like children laughing, thats possibly the most terrifying thing i have ever heard.
Me too,i cant even imagine it...
@@melk1776 i mean i have crazy dreams were i swear i have lived whole lifetimes. But what she said terrified me to my core.
HORRIBLE BEYOND WORDS. Why can't it be a vision of a nice unicorn or something?
@@teresatano193 i dont know but just thinking of that vision makes me feel her pain. I habe terrifying dreams of demons and sleep paralysis but i wake up in the morning. This poor woman i wish i could take her pain away.
it feels great how crazy it is
As someone who does not have a mental disorder, but always wants to try to understand - thank you for this, ma'am. You're an amazing person.
Lani Jauregui-Hansen you are amazing too because you are trying to understand mental disorder and not everyone do it! I dont have a schizofrenia but something alse and I just know how people can ignore problem which is hurtful. Thank you:) (im sorry for my ang!)
@@patrycja2059 You're welcome, I see it as a responsibility to educate ourselves about what others are going through so that we can really help when people reach out. By making informed decisions and not making situations worse.
I have not schizophrenia.but I learned more about this because of my anxiety disorder.i thing it's hard for a person having schizophrenia with horrible hallucinations .she learned more about her illness.i don't considering this disease as an illness in her case.cause its the strongest part that made her strong .
@@vishnukrishnanr2280 I have ADHD and anxiety because of this I became more open about mental ilness and learned more about it. I just want everyone to know if your struggling with anything, Im going though a lot right now but we can go through this together and your not alone.
Check out Jerry Marzensky for a real education
What a brave lady. I mean, this is exactly attitude the world needs. Not running from the problem, but facing it, saying the issue's name and really fighting with it.
She may need an exorcist. My sister began to struggle with this "disease "at 35 years old, after being in very physically abusive relationship. But there is a spiritual aspect involved.
Cecilia is doing such an important and incredible thing by sharing her story and helping break the stigma. Last I saw of her was on Special Books by Special Kids. She was in a video on that channel years ago, when she was still very unwell. They’ve done a recent update on Cecilia and she‘s doing excellent. She looks healthy and beautiful, she’s working as an activist, and she’s very clearly in a MUCH better headspace. Her journey to living her best life is really inspiring.
I watched her interview with SBSK and she was constantly looking away from the camera. I couldn't understand but after listening I believe she was averting her eyes from her hallucinations. I thought I knew what schizophrenia was but I guess I never had a clue. What a brave and strong woman.
I just watched it too! I was wondering the same thing but what you said makes sense
The comments where enabled the last time I saw it and someone that knows her in person said she looked away because she was hallucinating at that point and couldn't look in this direction because the hallucination was right behind him.
the thing is people without it will never understand we can just try to be understanding and empathetic.
@xxx CHOPPER how do you know? Any link? Just curious because I have schizophrenia and loved her and this video
I watched it as well it really helped me understand her condition
imagine monsters from the ring ,stranger things and IT following you in real life, i can't handle the movie, i would never be able to handle life
she's so strong.
and screw the 1.5K people who disliked the video
The hallucinations are often very culture related, schizo people in more rural places hear usually positive voices.
maybe they somehow disliked her idea: have schizophrenia is ok :^ I'm a part of it too. We have different circumstances. Like she said find a doctor, medical treatment,... yeh sound easy, have you think about those people in poor countries lol. Like Asia as an example: no money no doctor. I know some people hiding their schizophrenia and talked to them before sound crazy but they decided to hide it
I just said a part of those people disliked video ( maybe more culture-related I guess)
@@thedeath7736 You are way too quick to find fault. If people were able to get treatment then it would be a good thing, right? So why is it bad to encourage them to do so if it is possible? She gave good advice. If everyone all over the world and in every circumstance is not able to follow the advice it, that doesn't change the value of the advice or the value of her story. We should be supportive of and not quick to judge, those who already have a difficult life.
My grandmother was a paranoid schizophrenic. Her young adulthood was in the early 50s and what I know of her is that her life was unimaginably hard, and she never really got a break from the difficulty. I struggle with different mental illnesses. But seeing the revelation that you founded something specifically for Schizophrenia, I'm really struck hard by what a different life that would have meant for my Grandma Dorothy.
This is such a good thing. Thank you for doing this
To have to live with such hallucinations & still go about life as usual sound horrific, What an amazing brave women.
The word "triggered" has been used too many times incorrectly, and i feel as if she has an actual reason to say it, and makes me upset when people use the word without a decent justification. Cheers to her.
You trigger me.
I agree, it's very commonly misused these days, when it's a very real thing for mentally ill people. There is so much stigma amount mental illness that people treat it as a joke.
+Kendal Rivera
I have actual depressive and anger issue triggers but I never like to say that because of all the memes and stigma attached to it.
Xephyre Ikari
And it completely ruined the words meaning.
Though, this is nothing new on the Internet. Kids don't realize when they are doing something wrong and need to be tolerated and guided into realizing their mistake.
why are you so triggered
She's got such a meticulously authentic 1980's look. Props
Especially with the blonde hair
I thought I was the only one who thinks she looks straight out of the 80s
vickie g That is a very interesting observation and so very spot on! Really nice☺
who is she on the pic ???
Really.... I was in my 20's in the 80's and don't remember that look at all. Maybe different geographical areas had different looks
When I heard that statistic about suicides my heart dropped.. I was almost a contributor to that number, it breaks my heart to think of all the people who are suffering currently with mental health anguish.
She is so brave for talking about a sensitive topic to a TED crowd; respect for that woman! 👏
I have schizophrenia too. Her pattern and style of speech reminded me of my own. It's like she's struggling to condense her thoughts into something organized and coherent.
It's The Medication.
Hello, I was freed from the demon of schizophrenia in 2016, when I chose to believe in Jesus Christ. I pray that one day you too will choose to receive Jesus into your life to be your Lord, and that you will find freedom from this disease just as I did. I truly believe anyone can be set free from this by the power of the cross. Thank you for reading my post, and have a nice day!
VictoriaWomer SwingToDivin Jesus doesn’t fix everything-
@@vixengarde That is true. There are a lot of people with physical illnesses and even deformities that never get healing. But I do know that Jesus healed me from mental illness, and that's all I was trying to share. Have a nice day :-)
@@swingtodivine Religious superstition doesn't fix imbalances in the brain. You fell to confirmation bias and placebo effects, buddy.
I have schizophrenia and this makes me feel less alone, I know that sounds so simple. You're a badass!
Mickey Arlo remember that there are people who love and support you 😁💞
@@flyman9251 so, only the girl in this video is allowed to have schizophrenia and no one else can have it? stop being ridiculous. it's better to trust someone's words than to tell someone with a mental illness that they're wrong. that's incredibly harmful.
@@flyman9251 it's a video about schizophrenia. of course people who have it are going to talk about it in the comments. they're not looking for pity but for people similar to them since they probably feel so alone irl.
@@flyman9251 jesus, you're dull
I am here if you need to talk x
I also saw her on SBSK, as well. Now, she takes the world & I'm so proud of what she's accomplished! Good for you, Cecilia!
Thank you so much. My brother has it too, and I am feeling very devastated and hopeless. But after listening to your talk, I am atleast able to see a little light at the end of the tunnel. Thank you
God, having schizophrenia and doing a presentation like this is so brave. I can't imagine how scary it must be to tell an audience full of people you see things that aren't there.
Not to mention a common symptom of schizophrenia is word salad, which means that your words make perfect sense to you, but they're so jumbled up that everyone else thinks they're non-sense. Basically imagine speaking in slang that nobody else in the world understands.
My sister has a mild case of schizophrenia, and she is almost always saying things in ways that don't make sense. I didn't realize that was connected to her schizophrenia.
i dont really know if i have schizophrenia but my therapist says i have schizo-noises. but idrk if thats the same thing though
@@leslyl1818 You have to make an appt. with your doctor as soon as possible. Don't be googling things like I do making yourself upset.
@@kristinesmart24 A therapist is a doctor.
I had a bad fever today trip when I was very young. I walked down stairs and sat on the couch. I looked over at the dog, and he told me if I move from that corner of the couch or if I told them he would kill my whole family. He didn't move his mouth so I heard it in my head, but it was the scariest thing that ever happened to me. So for people to go through that every day or so. It must be very tough for them.
I have schizophrenia, I had an episode at work. I'm going back tomorrow morning with fresh homemade bread to try and show people its ok
Its Ok
@@Marilyn_z I dont know, they're all acting really weird🤣 but thg they loved the bread😎
@wittyandcreative I think they are learning, maybe that's their reaction to learning a new thing. You've shown them its ok, I believe they would learn that. Am glad they loved your bread, kudos to you. For me, bread is one difficult recipe, I don't know why. I have never baked a perfect bread, let alone have enough confidence to bake one and take to my colleagues... I can imagine their reaction😂😂😂. They would eat it and say..."hmmm Marilyn what did you say this is again"?
@@Marilyn_z do the overnight no kneed bread recipe, I was in the same boat but it comes out perfect everytime😉👍
@@wittyandcreative Thank you so much. Would definitely try that.
Thank you Cecilia. I do not suffer from this condition, but I have family members who do, and I am learning so much about this. as I know it can be hereditary. I completely agree that you can live a full and healthy life with the right treatments, and constant support systems, so you are advocating important awareness for everyone to learn.
One of the best, bravest, TED talks I've ever seen. I wish you all the best Cecilia!
"Don't let Anyone convince you not to get medical help." THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST POWERFUL SENTENCE I'VE EVER HEARD!!!
feel like crying she did not understand that this is technology and there is no cure because it is not a disease but technology, there are simulations available where you could direct sound to a single person in a crowd, They market this people, I feel sad for her she is used for propaganda.
The mental health field is a waste of money
I think in moments of panic, people suggest not getting "help" because help in our society for psychotic symptoms means being locked up and heavily medicated. Masking the root of the problem which is a complexity of abnormal ways to cope with panic and deep rooted family issues that not allow room for expression because of the confusing layout of reality within a schizophrenic family.
Schizophrenics really acknowledge that they have mental problems.
In the same token we can say don't believe everything doctors say. I deal with mentally ill people. I find the biggest obstacle with them is denial. They don't accept they have some mental issues. But it's understandable. If they can accept it, they are not really considered mentally ill. We all have to have tolerance and understanding with "mentally ill people". None of us are normal.
My sister has schizophrenia. It’s hip to talk all about mental health these days, but if once you talk about schizophrenia people get weird and quiet. So many practitioners won’t even treat it. Disgusts me. Glad this young woman is speaking out and effecting change.
because they don't know how to treat it.
@@Bewefau We in the psychology field do know how to treat schizophrenia. We can’t cure it, but we can definitely manage the symptoms. The stigma just runs so deep that some practitioners are afraid to even be around these patients. It’s a really sad phenomenon in our field.
@@Bewefau It's not that. It's because it's often a very visible mental illness (for those with symptoms of disorganized speech and motor function, or negative symptoms causing lack of hygiene or eye contact.) Most mental illness is hidden to us, with people able to keep their symptoms entirely invisible. On top of that, when they do speak out, it emphasizes that some people with schizophrenia experience a different perceived reality, with hallucinations and delusions. Many people find it hard to talk with someone whose perception of reality is so different. It challenges them, and many don't rise to that challenge.
On top of that is the small percentage of people with schizophrenia who are violent. Through negative media portrayals of schizophrenia, the perception is that _all_ people with schizophrenia are violent, or could become violent at any moment, so you better keep away from them.
@@ashla7567 agree with being afraid to be around them because what they think, feel, see is out of the boundaries of what a normal person can imagine. It is worse than ptsd because there is no root to cure. Unfortunately may need to involve some pills. If the individual has self-awareness and want to be better that's the best. But some are consumed by it and did bad things or suicide.
I don't have training of anything and i have no problem sitting in a room with and listen and talk with such ppl.I believe that these so "disorders" are actually not illnesses but something with wich the person have to grow
You’re amazing! I’m a mental health worker here focused on schizophrenia and helping individuals. I have seen all kinds of break throughs in my clients by just being supportive and encouraging. Fostering an environment that is encouraging. If you would be willing to take on volunteers, please reach out!
Hey Jennifer, where are you located?. My boyfriend has squizofrenia and I want him to get the right treatment. We live in Irvine California.
@@catalinaalvarez2275 I’m located out of Olympia Washington :)
Bravo Cecilia! I’m 50, married, mother of 4…I have several mental health diagnosis’. My problems began when I was in high school. Though I didn’t receive any sort of mental health help until my late 20’s. The treatment offered to me at that time was just prozac. Now, at 50, I am trying to figure out who I am and how to live with my dianosis’. I am trying to find my way through these dark woods. It’s not easy. People demonize mental health problems. It’s hard to know who to trust. I applaud you for speaking out, and advocating for those who hide in fear and shame.
"I'm just someone who can't turn off my nightmares even when I'm awake." ~ Cecilia McGough, 2017
Omg, it sounds like living in a horror movie. That is ruff
cat owner Yup. Best you can do is remind yourself that it is not real. You can feel the insects crawling into your skin, but you have to remind yourself that it’s just a hallucination.
@@angelgjr1999 you must get very good at identifying the hallucinations
Corey Welsher Yeah. Thankfully I live a normal life. It’s still scary sometimes though.
@@angelgjr1999 Sorry, I'd don't mean to be insensitive but what kind of stuff do you experience? It's ok if you don't want to talk about, but I'm very curious about theses kinds of things!
Monica Merino Yes, what is it?
It’s so important that she continues to speak out! People with mental illness need hope! Thank you for sharing, and thank you for being so brave! It’s inspiring to know someone faces this everyday and yet thrives!
She's amazing and courageous! It's a hard thing to live with. I personally do not have schizophrenia but I have known people with it. I've seen them be judged, laughed at, and identified as untrustworthy even if they are getting help and are amazing individuals. Thank you for being strong and giving strength to those who haven't yet found their own voice and thank you for educating others that don't have it.
I have schizophrenia and my episodes sometimes cause me to try to take my own life, this made me proud of who I am and I am no longer ashamed.
God Bless You
Lauren god bless you never be ashamed of who you are.
If you ever need someone to talk to I'm one of your people. My dad had it since i was 7. Im 46 now. My 16 yr old son had it dx at 14 but had it for a year before telling anyone. I get it. I'm here. Much love n peace.
Debra Mather thanks for sharing
You're brave, I have depression and people like you always give me hope.
My mother has schizophrenia, she used to push me out of the way of windows because she thought people were outside with guns that were gonna shoot us.
Even though I know there was no one out there, I know in her head, there was and she was saving my life!
My mom is such an amazing woman and she has been so resilient with everything life has thrown at her. She's since gotten treatment and she's been able to manage her schizophrenia ❤️ I'm so proud of her. She's definitely not a monster and neither are you
The fact that you're willing to appreciate that, even though she was sick, she was trying to do the right thing by protecting you, is special.
I teared up listening to her about the clown, I grew up scared to death of clowns and to hear that she can see and hear him everyday it literally sounds like a Nightmare. I wish all people with this condition nothing but the best. I can't even imagine.
You are an amazing human being! I also suffer from Schizophrenia and I am trying to listen and see your video in spite of my own '"triggers". Thank YOU ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ for speaking out and up! I now feel less alone.
🤗😊🤗
She was on SBSK. I’m glad that she’s gotten so far from then!
Was wondering if anyone else watched that too
yes! i found her on SBSK and she's so wonderful! i wish we could be friend irl haha
Found the comment I was looking for.
I wasn't sure if it was her until she spoke about the clown and the girl. Wow she looks so different in SBSK .
That's where I saw her. You tube has disabled the comments to all of his videos even though most all the comments were positive. SBSK is trying to get their comment section reinstated.
I have schizoaffective disorder and paranoid schizophrenia thank you for sharing your story.❤
I am so touched about her story. And I know how hard it can be to look through things that are not there. And how brave she is.
Wow this is the first time I've ever really heard someone talk about schizophrenia like this.
I love how she compares it to people without schizophrenia having dreams whilst asleep instead of constantly. It really made it so relatable.
My uncle had schizophrenia. In the 70s, he went into a convenience store and the clerks were scared by how erratic he was acting so they pepper sprayed him. He stumbled out of the store, blinded by the spray, and stepped into traffic-- he was hit by a truck and killed. We need awareness and widely available help to keep these things from happening to other people, because it's all too common for individuals suffering with schizophrenia to end up homeless on the street or dead. It's a tragedy that it can be prevented, but it's so often not. I'm so proud of this girl for all she's overcome and accomplished, it'll help save many lives!
Jake 😞 it brakes my heart to read your story, my son suffers from schizophrenia and it is so hard for him to go out in public, I always get scared something like that will happen to him. He is talks to himself there has been insidents where he says a bad word and other people respond imidiatly with violence. It is not easy for him or me😞
Stand for him, you can make him strong, just help him through his tough times. He can make it through and so can you, so help him fight!
Jake that. is. so. messed. up. i’m so sorry.
Hahaha that is one way to kick the bucket I wish I could see that one on r/watchpeopledie.
Jake I’m really sorry for you loss some people don’t realize people have that conduction and it makes me really anger how people will kill people without know they have that conduction.
TW: Mentions of Self-harm, suicide.
It was heartbreaking to see one of the patients with schizophrenia struggle I had to stay with at the psych ward when my depression got worse. She was my age(I am 17 in American age), and I knew she was such a wonderful person who loved to draw and was a good daughter to her parents. She was such a nice person, but the illness seemed to haunt her like nightmares. She threw herself out of the window to take her own life, with so many scars on her arms. I thank God that she is still with us, and her sharing her experiences with hallucinations didn't make me 'terrified' or 'scared', it was just heartbreaking. She admitted herself to the psych ward again, and that was the latest news I got from her. Dear Minji, if you're seeing this, I wish the best for you. You can do this, you're a strong person. I believe in you. I want to see you draw again.
I love how she confidently expounds on the condition and how it affects her yet pushing forward through it all. Her story is one of immense strength and courage. This really is one of the most inspiring stories I've heard.
The way she says 'schizophrenia' is really satisfying and pleasant for some reason.
Hshaha seductive
should we be scared or something?
Lennart N it has a lot of consonants
Lennart N i was thinking the same thing
My doctors have pronounced it like her, and explained the way I say it was actually incorrect.