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A tale of mental illness | Elyn Saks



A tale of mental illness | Elyn Saks

http://www.ted.com “Is it okay if I totally trash your office?” It’s a question Elyn Saks once asked her doctor, and it wasn’t a joke. A legal scholar, in 2007 Saks came forward with her own story of schizophrenia, controlled by drugs and therapy but ever-present. In this powerful talk, she asks us to see people with mental illness clearly, honestly and compassionately.

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View 41 Comments

41 Comments

  3. @Laaaugh on

    We need more people to talk bout their experiences. When people are already suffering from mental illness, forcing them and restraining them only makes them feel worse. In my opinion, people with any illnesses especially mental illness, needs peace and love more than anyone. They are suffering already from anxiety, insecurity, depression and etc…with us restraining them we are just making them feel more insecure and anxious.

  6. @Cass_772 on

    My son just has been diagnose, it's a long road, for them and for the parents… thank you Professor, you give me hope and I understand that the mind needs to learn and stay busy in order to heal, not just medication, they need purpose more than anyone else

  7. @VictoriaPimentel-v4j on

    There definitely needs to be a reform in our courts to stop forced treatment, as she mentions in her speech, the courts solely depend on one person's opinion about another person's well-being. In her case, the doctor labeled her as something she wasn't and checked her into an involuntary hold just because of the prejudice acted towards schizophrenia. The stigma is "if you have schizophrenia, then you are dangerous to yourself and others". I am glad she is changing that stigma and getting the recognition she deserves. It can lead to better care and treatment. Schizophrenia is not the same in any two people diagnosed with the illness; therefore, one treatment that helps one patient may not help another with the same diagnoses. Forced treatment needs to be banned. Thank you Elyn for your book and speech.

  12. @juanturner8650 on

    This is the third or fourth time that I'm watching this video. My first social worker told me he knew someone that graduated from UCLA and when I'm all the way down I pull from that and this is the second video that I relate to. I'm in a Re-entry Diversion Program and I believe Restraints are not the solution to assist in giving mentally ill patient like me hope to be able to live a sustainable life! More Push, Less Restraint!

  16. @fanatic_mohit on

    Hello everyone…
    Mohit this side…
    I was daigonised with schizophrenia in 2017 when I was at IIT BHU… undergone ECT 4 times thereafter and was on medication for 7 years… But thankfully with my zeal and family support I recovered… I am currently working as a govt teacher who is helping the deprived sections of the society and part time IIT JEE faculty in an Ed tech company…

  17. @joycebruhn1346 on

    yes yes i was in mental psychosis do to bad bad environments over decades .. but im strong ty to all who keep a roof over my head .. because livng in this mental crap is no gooood

  23. @saniya5408 on

    Plz share this message as much as u all can …we really need ppl who understand…. The stigma is real …not only schizophrenia but also all the other mental illness….. The rest of the society who is judging is mentally ill …i wud say … They deny themselves and then they deny others …and that becomes normal and cool ….

  28. @R-GN on

    I hope to go into intake soon so that I can hope to pursue a career in psychology using what, I truly do feel, is a mode of therapy that I feel truly works for me.

  29. @jacqueline8597 on

    Elyn has totally changed how I view my sons psychosis. The Center Cannot Hold has been a revelation, a mindblowing education which has forced me to deleted my outdated, western, fear based views of mental illness. I can now see it all from my sons point of view. What an insight. I would never have gotten here without Elyn. we now have hope. Thankyou Elyn.

  34. @SabinAteş on

    She is a amazing women i wish everybody know his thinking and read his books
    When i read " A life of schizophrenetic " also i watch his tedx talk
    Always follow you i am sure i have a lot to learn from you
    You inspire everyone
    I offer my respect❤🙏🌈

  37. @kathrynmoldenhauer2830 on

    Thanks for the self defense insight…I didn't know that street hostility was linked to reducing the amount of hospital time by risk taking. I knew there was drones but wasn't sure the consent to making characters of the proxemics.

  38. @TestimonyTold on

    So TRUE❣️I was placed on a list for a new liver, my kidneys were failing, a brain infection took hold, and both my arms were paralyzed. Doctors had little hope, but God had the final say. Without medication, only through His healing, my body took two years to recover. This journey through illness, betrayal, and loss led me to a powerful truth—true healing comes when we align mind, body, and spirit with God, our Creator. In my weakest moments, He was my strength, restoring me beyond what medicine could explain.

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