self

Story topics: bipolar, depression, honest, self

I just now watched "People Say I'm Crazy"--seriously just ten minutes ago.  Wow.

So many people dramatize the facts of schizophrenia and end up delivering a very skewed view of it to the public.  It just ends up furthering people's unfounded fear of mental illness and people afflicted with it. 

I personally have struggled throughout my life with depression and bipolar disorder, from the time that I was 11 and diagnosed.  It took until I was 24 years old to find the right mix of medications that stabilized me and had acceptable side effects in order for me to move on with my life, get married, have children, and actually enjoy the process of being alive each day. 

It was so refreshing to see someone be honest with themselves and the camera, do things that are by nature so difficult to do in front of the camera, and let us in on their lives.  This really is reality television and I don’t think I’ve ever seen QUALITY like this on the airwaves.

Beyond all of my praise for the film, I want to thank John, personally, for allowing us a look inside his life.  He emotes so well on film that it was evident how hard some of the process was for him, and I felt conflicted right along with him, even though I was enjoying the film.  I hope that all of the praise he has gotten from the results of it – and the knowledge that he’s giving every viewer an amazing gift - has been repayment for his struggle.

- a mom
Story topics: artist, schizophrenia, self

I have a similar diagnosis and am as well classified "disabled" because of my problems... it is so hard to allow people to see your episodes let alone video tape it for the world...

My mother saw the film too.... now here i am attempting to write an email, not something I would typically do. i really just felt i have so much in common with John.... I too am an artist and in school for photography… I’m hoping the worst of my problems are behind me -- though from what my therapist tells me the worst years medically may be what I’m coming onto... Right now I am finally finding some balances in medications.

Your story is being heard and affecting people out here. You have touched me not just as an artist but as a fellow "crazy" person. OH and by the way there definitly are plenty of girls out there who like big guys, I should know I’m one of them. :c)

- a college student
Story topics: bipolar, self

I was originally diagnosed schizophrenic in 1993.  The label has changed to bipolar.  I have felt all the same things that John has felt to some degree.  The film brought tears to my eyes. 

Never have I met anyone who shares similar experiences as I have.  I get paranoid, sometimes psychotic.  I deal with a lot of anxiety.  I get depressed.  In the beginning I went into a catatonic and panic state.  I've been to hospitals and half way houses.  All of them were very different. 

I am grateful to John for sharing with us his traumatic life experience.  It helped me a lot and I hope more people get to see it.  Thank you for this insight. 

- a woman in recovery
Story topics: high school, schizophrenia, self

I'm 17 teen years old and a senior in high school and currently diagnosed with schizophrenia and have been for about 2 years.  After I saw your film I decided I need to do a project for school about our illness.  I’ve been collecting tips and advice to give to a younger generation like me about how to deal with it. I’m including some of the things you do – like checking out the reality of your thoughts, or telling yourself it’s not true.  You’re so brave.  I want to let people know that it can be overcome and that it affects more people than people think.

Every group home in the US should see your film. Not only people with this illness but some doctors and counselors who don’t have a clue about the inside view.  It’s hard to meet with them when you can tell they don’t understand, and especially when they want us to do things our brains aren’t capable of when we’re very sick.

- a student
Story topics: family, paranoia, self

The film was incredible!  It put into words and images what it really feels like to have paranoia.  People, including my family and supervisor, don't really understand what it's like to have thoughts that aren't rational and are so hard to control.  

I love the scene where John is standing in his studio saying over and over, “it's not true."  That is so real to life for so many of us.

I would be homeless or, probably, dead without my family.  I know how much a family can contribute to recovery.  Your entire family is to be commended.  I can’t tell you how grateful I am to John -  his courage, especially, is astounding.  Not to mention his determination.

- peer-counselor & client in Dallas
Story topics: bipolar, college, self

Your movie really had a profound effect on me.  it was the most real film about mental illness i have ever seen.  i'm bipolar but with a lot of psychosis, and i just recently graduated from university as a film major.  my first psychotic break was at 19, after my freshman year.  i was lucky though, after one year, i was able to go back to school, and i'm 23 now.

you have inspired me to try writing a screenplay about my own experience.   all the films i had seen until yours have been so untrue to what it is really like to have mental illness. your movie was really special.

- a writer in Connecticut
Story topics: schizophrenia, self

Your art and life story really inspired me.  It helps me realize there are people living just like me; afraid to go outside, hearing voices, paranoid and covering it up with headphones.  I really enjoyed watching the movie and can relate to almost all of your symptoms and take the same medications you do. I am 25 years old, I also have schizophrenia differentiated since 1998.   I also am an artist but not as talented as you are.   I live with my mom and sister and am not able to drive like you can.   But maybe I’ll be able to get as better as you some day. 

- a television viewer 
Story topics: bipolar, self

You’ve touched my life. Dealing with bipolar in my own life, and in the lives of my clients, I have experienced many similar, if not verbatim, things that John has gone through.  The whole world needs to see this film.

- an employment counselor
Story topics: self, teenager

I’m 16 yrs. old and I appreciate that John allowed his life to be filmed so that others may understand more about mental illnesses. I was so interested in seeing the film because I have become very interested in schizophrenia and how it affects people. Many people out there have misconceptions about this disease.  I often have heard "Isn't that a split personality?"

Hopefully through your film and me straightening people out, the world will become informed. I will never know exactly what you are going through, but I can sympathize. I was diagnosed when I was in 9th grade (I am now entering 11th). Like your friend in the film, I only have the obsessions, not the compulsions. I have so many anxiety filled thoughts flooding my head every day. I also have cut myself before, many times. I haven't recently though and i think that is mostly because of my medication.  Thank you.

- high school student
Story topics: CBT, self

I was diagnosed with schizophrenia when I was twenty two years old and there are things we will never be able to communicate with those who seek a normal life. 

I too think in images - I saw the Medusa and I’ve seen God.  Tell John that his battle is worthwhile and that the gains he makes will keep helping him deal with real situations.  I told the thoughts to F*CK OFF and I meant business; it was either them or me. Of course when you really believe in yourself anything can be achieved.  I then did CBT to calm down. 

Now I am scott free, no cares in the world, functioning, working on gaining a life that the seventeen years took from me.  I have faced all my fears and guess what they disappeared!

- computer programmer