Schizophrenia As I Live It (audio)

Send us Fan Mail Schizophrenia is a condition often shrouded in misconception, and it can be challenging to take the winding road to finding the right treatment. In this podcast episode, I delve into the personal relationship one must foster with their psychiatrist and the crucial role of accurate diagnosis. My novel "The Overlife: A Tale of Schizophrenia" echoes, in its character Sarah...

Send us Fan Mail Discover the often-hidden signals that herald the onset of stress as I continue to share my journey with paranoid schizophrenia in this podcast. I offer an intimate look at my techniques for managing anxiety, a well-known trigger for aggravated symptoms of mental illness. My account includes the physical manifestations of stress I experience, such as numbness in my tongue and lips...

Send us Fan Mail Discover the surprising ways support can materialize when you least expect it as I, Diana Dirkby, delve into the heart of living with schizophrenia and confronting its associated stigma. Through heartfelt reflections and through observing the likes of Elyn Saks and Michelle Hammer, we unravel the complexities of mental illness and the varied reactions it can provoke. From the unfa...

Send us Fan Mail Imagine grappling with the shadows of your mind while being the only beacon of light for a terror-stricken town. This episode unveils the eerie and myth-laden world of my upcoming thriller horror novel, "Three Kidnapped, Three Siblings, Three Furies." The tale promises to bind you with its suspense as academic and classicist Isabel Morse, who navigates life with paranoid...

Send us Fan Mail Navigating the stormy seas of stress is a voyage I'm all too familiar with, especially as someone living with Paranoid Schizophrenia. On my latest podcast episode, Schizophrenia as I Live it, I, Diana Dirkby, recount a chapter of my life where stress loomed like an uninvited guest, knocking on the door of my mental stability. During this candid discussion, I peel back the cur...

Send us Fan Mail Living with schizophrenia isn't a journey walked alone, and the podcast episode, recorded by Bek La, Star Royal, and Monika Caesar for the Ikon Institute in Australia, "Schizophrenia and the Self: Living Beyond Diagnosis," is a testament to that truth. The podcast features myself, Diana Dirkby, a published author with firsthand experience of schizophrenia, not only...

Send us Fan Mail Cracked ribs and broken toes didn't stop me, Diana Dirkby, an author living with paranoid schizophrenia, from reaching a thrilling milestone in my journey as an author. Join me as I recount the harrowing slip that led to physical hurdles yet propelled me to complete my latest manuscript, "Three Kidnapped, Three Siblings, Three Furies."  As I navigate the intricate d...

Send us Fan Mail Navigating the complexities of the festive season while managing mental health can be a solitary journey, but you're not alone. Join me, Diana Dirkby, as I share details of my experiences with schizophrenia during this time, offering solidarity and practical advice to those who may struggle with holiday blues or the pressure of societal norms. Whether you're carving out...

Send us Fan Mail Are you ready to challenge your perception of mental health? Join me, Diana Dirkby, as I take you through the winding path of living with paranoid schizophrenia, a journey filled with highs and lows that has provided invaluable lessons. We delve into the importance of gaining objectivity, especially during relapse periods and the crucial role that trusted doctors and supportive fr...

Send us Fan Mail Unmasking and debunking the fears surrounding those living with Paranoid Schizophrenia, it's time to break down the stigma! I'm Diana Derpy and living with this complex mental disorder is my reality, just as it was for my mother. Join me, as I navigate through the intricate labyrinth of Schizophrenia; from hallucinations and paranoia to the misfiring in the brain that di...

Send us Fan Mail As someone living with paranoid schizophrenia, I, Diana Dirkby, offer a firsthand account of the often misunderstood world of psychosis and the stigmas associated with it, for example stemming from misrepresentations in the media. Join me as we travel together through my experiences, exploring the complexities of schizophrenia and psychosis and how they contribute to feelings of s...

Send us Fan Mail In this first episode, I discuss the main goals of this podcast and its accompanying book, "The Overlife, A Tale Of Schizophrenia," by Diana Dirkby. Ever felt misunderstood or misrepresented? Often, that's the reality for those living with schizophrenia - a brain disorder that's profoundly complex and still shrouded in stigma. I'm Diana Dirkby, and I hope...

Send us Fan Mail We’re thrilled to share that Diana's novel, "The Overlife, a Tale of Schizophrenia," a riveting narrative shedding light on the experiences of living with paranoid schizophrenia, is now available on Amazon in both Kindle and paperback formats.  With this episode Diana will wrap up Part 1 of her Podcast series. Part 2 will air soon! Pastime With Good Company by King...

Send us Fan Mail Today, October 10, 2023, is World Mental Health Day and this occasion is the theme of this episode. Pastime With Good Company by King Henry VIII, played by The Chestnut Brass Company  Pastime With Good Company, composed by King Henry VIII, played by The Chestnut Brass Company

Send us Fan Mail Today's episode summarizes my approach to writing about schizophrenia and psychosis, mental health, and family and relationships in my novel "The Overlife, A Tale of Schizophrenia." Pastime With Good Company by King Henry VIII, played by The Chestnut Brass Company  Pastime With Good Company, composed by King Henry VIII, played by The Chestnut Brass Company

Send us Fan Mail In this short podcast chapter we announce the appearance of "The Overlife,  A Tale Of Schizophrenia" as a Kindle book on amazon.com Pastime With Good Company by King Henry VIII, played by The Chestnut Brass Company  Pastime With Good Company, composed by King Henry VIII, played by The Chestnut Brass Company

Send us Fan Mail In this chapter, we discuss the problem of over-sharing during a paranoid episode. Pastime With Good Company by King Henry VIII, played by The Chestnut Brass Company  Pastime With Good Company, composed by King Henry VIII, played by The Chestnut Brass Company

Send us Fan Mail In this chapter, we encourage consumers of mental health to keep a mental health diary and a diary about the other aspects of their life.     Pastime With Good Company by King Henry VIII, played by The Chestnut Brass Company  Pastime With Good Company, composed by King Henry VIII, played by The Chestnut Brass Company

Send us Fan Mail This chapter discusses the difference between paranoid schizophrenia and dissociative identity disorder (D.I.D.). We briefly comment on the movie "The Three Faces of Eve (1957)" starring Joanne Woodward, the movie "A Beautiful Mind" by screenwriter Akiva Goldsman from a biography of John Nash by Sylvia Nassau, and the Apple TV series "The Crowded Room&quot...

Send us Fan Mail In this Chapter, we talk about visual hallucinations. Pastime With Good Company by King Henry VIII, played by The Chestnut Brass Company  Pastime With Good Company, composed by King Henry VIII, played by The Chestnut Brass Company

Send us Fan Mail In this chapter, I talk about my experience with auditory hallucinations and make more general remarks on the same topic.  Pastime With Good Company by King Henry VIII, played by The Chestnut Brass Company  Pastime With Good Company, composed by King Henry VIII, played by The Chestnut Brass Company

Send us Fan Mail This chapter discusses what helps and doesn't when I struggle with schizophrenia and an alternate reality.  Pastime With Good Company by King Henry VIII, played by The Chestnut Brass Company  Pastime With Good Company, composed by King Henry VIII, played by The Chestnut Brass Company

Send us Fan Mail In this chapter, we will compare the meaning of the word "Overlife," as I use it in my novel "The Overlife, A Tale O Schizophrenia," with the usage of the same word by Egyptologists when they talk about "Overlife/Underlife" in the beliefs about the afterlife in Ancient Egypt.   Pastime With Good Company by King Henry VIII, played by The Chestnut Brass...

Send us Fan Mail This chapter discusses anosognosia, the unawareness of living with a mental illness, and the LEAP method, founded by Dr. Xavier Amador, to treat it. I also talk about anosognosia as I live it.

Send us Fan Mail In this chapter,  we discuss some ideas about coping with socializing when experiencing an episode of paranoia.