Schizophrenia is a mental illness that affects a person’s thoughts and actions, leading to auditory hallucinations and delusions. Because there is not a lot of understanding about the causes of schizophrenia, many experts are worried that this can lead to not providing the best treatment for it. By seeing the quotes of people you admire who are going through schizophrenia, you will have a better understanding of the condition.
If you or a loved one are feeling inspired to seek treatment — Please contact the Alta Loma Transformational Services team at 866-457-3843
Darrell Hammond
This Saturday Night Live actor turned announcer is best known for impersonations of Bill Clinton, Donald Trump, and other famous faces. As a child, Hammond was viciously physically abused by his mother. A doctor told his mother that he had schizophrenia and manic depression.
“If you got hit by a car you wouldn’t be ashamed or if you broke your leg you wouldn’t be ashamed,” the comedian continued, “…but somehow if you have things you can’t explain, anxiety, depression, alcoholism, addictions you feel ashamed…”
Hammond is letting the world know not to be ashamed of your mental illness, but to rather stand tall.
Vincent van Gogh
Hallucinations, including hearing voices, are a common symptom of schizophrenia. Some scholars say van Gogh’s behaviors may have stemmed from that disorder. According to one account, van Gogh, during an argument with fellow painter Paul Gauguin, heard someone in his ear say, “Kill him.” Instead, van Gogh took a knife and cut off part of his own ear.
Alta Loma isn’t saying you should cut off your ear, but like Van Gogh stated, “I am seeking, I am striving; I am in it with all my heart.”
Never give in, always work to better yourself, and reach for the starry night!
Lionel Aldridge
NFL defensive lineman, Lionel Aldridge, won three world championships. But at age 33, Aldridge was suffering symptoms of schizophrenia which led to years of homelessness before going into treatment. He wanted to use his position as an athlete to inspire others going through the same thing.
“I had gone through 10 years without getting any kind of treatment. Once I accepted and cooperated with the treatment, I started to beat the illness.”
This proves that letting your schizophrenic symptoms continue without treatment will make things worse. By doing something about it through treatment, you are truly beating your mental disorder.
Brian Wilson
Brian Wilson is the co-founder of The Beach Boys and co-write a lot of popular songs by the band like “Good Vibrations” and “Wouldn’t It Be Nice.” Despite the positive success, Wilson was also struggling with mental illness for several decades. At 25, Wilson began experiencing auditory hallucinations and felt like he was hearing voices saying negative things about him.
“Whenever I’ve been told to stop — by someone who thought they had power over me, by something that happened around me, by the voices I heard in my own head — I kept going.”
Wilson is basically saying to not let the auditory hallucinations have power over you and to keep living your life.
Elyn R. Saks
Elyn R. Saks wrote the memoir “The Center Cannot Hold: My Journey Through Madness.” She is considered one of the first writers to help readers understand what it is like to live with schizophrenia. She says that her “good fortune lies in having found my life.”
This means that you have your life right in front of you and it is important to live it happily. She says that it is a challenge for anyone, mental illness or not, to find their way through life. These inspirational quotes show that anyone can suffer from schizophrenia and that treatment is always the right option in taking back control of your life.
What will your quote be?!
At Alta Loma Transformational Services, you will meet knowledgeable, compassionate professionals that understand addiction in all its forms. Alta Loma uses an integrative and holistic approach to treat addiction and mental health issues. No treatment is one-size-fits-all, where you will have a team of experts prepared to create your customized treatment plan. We offer care for your mind, body, and spirit so that you can heal from the inside out and look forward to a lifetime of sobriety and wellness. If you are ready to take the first step in your recovery, please call us at 866-430-1325.
