Rebecca Chamaa: Breaking the Silence- Understanding Schizophrenia

Summary: 

As a caregiver, do you ever wish you could see behind the eyes of your loved one to really understand their experiences? Do you ever find yourself questioning the impact you, as a caregiver, make in your loved one's life? In today's episode, we join Rebecca, who has grappled with paranoid schizophrenia for decades as she takes us through her personal evolution, from encountering her first delusions at 27 to the transformative impact of finding her soulmate. She highlights the crucial role of caregivers in her own mental health and underscores the importance of self-care for those providing support. Rebecca also shares her experience with local law enforcement and healthcare agencies by educating them on what it is like to live with paranoid schizophrenia by volunteering through NAMI’s In Our Own Voice program.  

BIO:
Rebecca Chamaa is a freelance writer with bylines in Glamour, Business Insider and other national publications. She is an online writing instructor at Writers, Ink. She is a public speaker for NAMI's In Our Own Voice program. She holds a certificate in Narrative Medicine from Columbia University and is a facilitator for Northwest Narrative Medicine Collaborative. She has been married for twenty-five years and lives with chronic paranoid schizophrenia.

RESOURCES/ REFERENCES:
National Alliance on Mental Illness

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