Struggles Of Growing Up With A Schizophrenic Parent | May Chit Thè | TEDxYangonInternationalSchool

Growing up with a mentally-ill parent is not easy, and that is certainly the case for schizophrenia, a mental disorder that affects less than one percent of the population. In this emotional yet inspiring talk, May Chit shares her struggles of growing up with her schizophrenic mother. Her mental pain has transformed her into an advocate for individuals with similar experiences, while her healing journey sets an example of how one could overcome the struggles through acceptance and resilience. May Chit is a dedicated champion for mental health. As the Founder of Pyaw Par Myanmar, a mental health organization based in Yangon and recipient of a UNFPA grant, she oversaw the implementation of critical nationwide data collection and produced a documentary recounting the status of youth mental health in Myanmar. Within the Yangon International School Community, she has organized multiple mental health seminars by partnering with organizations like Marble Psychological Services, especially as students are facing many academic and social challenges. May Chit strives to create an impact in her community through empowering individuals with similar experiences, initiating a rippling effect of change. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx

[@fatimej4286]

As a person whose mother is also schizophrenic, I felt her pain

[@emanne7470]

I love this girl. I have the SAME LIFE. My mother tried to ruin my life, without even knowing it. She still doesn't take her meds, and still says awful things to me, and defends her awful words. It's a sad disease, but I do not have to be close to it anymore. I have the right to be happy.

[@erinwoodard191]

I know exactly how you feel my mom has schizoaffective disorder and bipolar very painful experience

[@Marksman_12]

Indeed you do. Everyone has a right to be satisfied and content. And also happy.

[@rorea]

It takes more guts than anyone can imagine to stand up there and talk about the trauma, love and pain she holds inside. We are lucky to have her as a mental health advocate.

[@chaneymichaels]

My mother suffers from schizophrenia as well and has always refused to take any medication. My stage fright is so incredibly bad it’s as if someone is pressing a gun to my head. I appreciate you so much for what you did here. I have spent my whole life reaching out and trying explain my mothers illness, only to have close friends and unfortunately even therapists stare at me like a deer in the headlights. Thank you so much for this!

[@ignaciocuello3929]

Props to her and for having the bravery to share such a complex story.

[@SaraHinata]

"schizophrenic people are not crazy", ma'am, I beg to differ. They're the embodiment of what we describe as batshit crazy. I, too, grew up with a schizophrenic mother and let me tell you, it was nothing less than craziness. She's still crazy and doesn't want to take medication. You can admit the reality even when you don't want to stigmatize them

[@user-cb7cz3ty5p]

Seeing this reading the comments lets us know we are not alone. That we are together having similar experiences. My mother is schizophrenic who refuses any idea of even going to the doctor. My childhood was a nightmare generally but luckily parts of it have been saved by my dad who done everything he could to save us from her. My dad was a regular dad to many but by him staying with her for our sake , buying us toys and everything he possibly could taking us places without her .. not leaving neither her nor us despite how horrible she got with him and us is in itself heroic I regret that I only realised what he really did after he passed away... I regret taking him for granted that he will always be around and feeling awkward to thank him for everything he did for us ... "Rest in peace dad thank you I love you"

[@rufustfirefly7389]

My mother was schizophrenic. She died in 1988 when I was 31. She'd only received treatment in the last few years of her life. Both my brother and I were traumatised by her behaviour. (PTSD). We suffered terrible anxiety and unable to think straight. We both decided not to have children. The things she did and said to me will haunt me for the rest of my life. We were ostracised by our family and bullied at school. Our father abandoned us. Living under a bridge surrounded by rats would have been preferable to living in that house. I just wished we had the internet then and we could have made informed choices and asked Social Services to take us into Care.

[@sherunscode]

Amazing. My father was schizophrenic unfortunately he took his own life while having a delusional episode, when I was 22. The thing that I’ve found to be the most difficult (now 37) to having a parent with schizophrenia is processing the feelings that I bottled up on a daily basis as a child; anticipating new delusions, mood swings, odd things he accused me of, the anger blow outs.. all of that.

[@Marksman_12]

May he be at peace. No one should lose their father to mental illness. I hope you are doing better.

[@Benovip]

As a former schizophrenic, I applaud this girl for being honest about her upbringing WITHOUT stigmatizing the illness. Too often when I see relatives of schizophrenics speak, they always like to throw all schizophrenics under the bus, saying we are all careless monsters, abusers, or murderers. I was actively psychotic for over 10 years. Killed nobody during that time.

[@paigebeltinck6966]

If it isn't too much to ask, what did it take for you to come out of your psychosis? My mother has been in a relapse for a while now. She is unaware of the things she says and does, which makes things even harder, especially since she has stopped tsking her meds and her doctor has stopped sending refills because she hasn't been back to the doctor.

[@Benovip]

@@paigebeltinck6966 Every person is different. I don't remember the exact numbers, but I think 20 % of people will recover, 20 % will always be very sick, and the 60 % rest will live a normal life with medication. I was on antipsychotics for about 5 years, but during stressful situations my psychosis would increase and sometimes get so bad, that the medication couldn't help. So I decided to eliminate as much unnecessary stress in my life, that included leaving a toxic workplace, and also moving 1000km away and starting over, and also standing up for myself more. I still have small triggers, but unlike before I don't get anxiety of them anymore, but I am always aware that it could change. When I was in therapy I would get a crisisplan to help me during my psychoses, it could be something I could do to calm my anxiety or who to call in case of a mental emergency. I don't know if your mother is doing therapy also, but if not I highly recommend it, even if she doesn't have insight. Medication can only do so much, but it's also important that the person learns why the illness occurs, and how to manage it (in schizo-spec illnesses the medication can really only help with the positive symptoms). I would also advice you, if you haven't already, to seek out a support group in your area for relatives of schizophrenics, I believe it's important to have like-minded people to share experiences with. If you aren't sure where to find one, I'm sure the psychiatry in your area has options to help you find a support group. Also in any emergency call the appropriate emergency number. And make SURE to take care of yourself also. Sending you and your mother many warm thoughts

[@emanne7470]

you say *always. The sentence is incongruent. It is either "too often" or "always." You must pick one. If you don't want others to generalize, then you must not generalize. And also, once a schizophrenic, always one. You are in remission. I am happy that you are better.

[@ombembde3826]

My mother has schizophrenia im only 18 rn but i can imagine how u felt during that period of time i think i am lucky that my mother is now stable and she is doing well but when i was growing up she was very unstable they had to use ECT. i saw alot of disturbing things like people chained up to their beds when i was 12 or 13 i really wanted to end my life but i didn't have the courage i actually took my mother's medicine in hope's that it'll end it but it didn't. i really hope no one has to go through this ever in their life this illness is really debilitating to the families and specially the children.

[@pinky-diary-8212]

Me too i am also 18 years old i am from india and it is very difficult to live here as a child of scrizophenic mother and espiecially as a girl. I also lost my father when i was in 10 grade. I had lost all hope of living as he was the only person to bring financial income to our house. And treatment and medicines for scrozophenia is expensive here.

[@chinmayasham3568]

Not violent , Not a threat? I don't think so. My father is a schizophrenic. and man he was violent and a threat. (until i grew up and could somehow control/ overpower him during violent episodes). You are very brave .Very few of us actually learn and grow up to become like titanium with the precious lessons life teaches us during these personal battles we fight everyday in our lives. I wish you all the best.

[@emanne7470]

my mother was violent and aggressive as well. I had the same reaction when she said they're not crazy, violent or a threat. Without help, they certainly can be.

[@janicesavagefjerstad7494]

Some are violent, while some are not. It is different for everyone.

[@pootypoot13]

My Dad was violent too, like he smashed my mother's face in, he attacked me when I tried to defend my mother. Sorry it's a whole shitload of sadness and trauma you live with for your whole life (the last violence was 35 years ago). He's dead now and I have to say his death was a massive weight off my shoulders. It's not over but I don't shake when I talk about him since he died.

[@SaraHinata]

My mother was violent too. I also disagreed with her statement. Some really fit the stereotype of schizophrenia

[@naliewon]

Thank you for sharing, May! You are very brave and I can relate with with every word you were saying. God bless you, girl! Never give up!!

[@nastuakostia]

hey, thank you for sharing!

[@MasonLeCompte]

Have a schizophrenic sister and this was helpful

[@stefyguereschi]

THANK FOR YOUR TESTIMONY, NO JUGDE"NO STIGMA " PLEASE 'BE KIND' 🤝🤝🤝

[@andymelendez9757]

Thank you! You are brave. I can tell your story is real. I share many things with you. Growing up in those circumstances was profoundly tragic and harmful. I continue to live in the shadow of my experiences but I am in counseling and am gaining confidence. I wish the best for you and us! ❤

[@FreeJulianAssange23]

“I can’t wait till I’m older so I can see the stuff my dad sees.” I used to say stuff like that because I didn’t understand

[@Workisgreat]

That must be hard I didn't know people went through this..

[@ash_1801]

My mother has schizophrenia, and its hard to explain what i feel for her

[@reenonoir]

This is crazy seeing this as a schizophrenic, bipolar , depression diagnosed dad . I’m 24 .

[@janicesavagefjerstad7494]

Thanks for sharing. Do you feel like since things were out of your control as a child, that you feel like you have to be in control of everything now?

[@giftedvision_thepodcast]

❤

[@ratuoriana3523]

😢

[@akuma1657]

I’m still having to be raised by my mom with schizophrenia it’s very hard because I’m to young to move out and get away

[@LM-hp6ly]

Literally fighting back tears with her because I'm on the same boat. Schizophrenia is a terrible illness in that it hurts not only the person who is suffering from it but everyone else around that person..