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My journey through schizophrenia and homelessness | Bethany Yeiser | TEDxCincinnati



My journey through schizophrenia and homelessness | Bethany Yeiser | TEDxCincinnati

NOTE FROM TED: While some viewers might find advice provided in this talk to be helpful as a complementary approach, please consult with a mental health professional and do not look to this talk for medical advice. This talk only represents the speaker’s personal experience with schizophrenia. TEDx events are independently organized by volunteers. The guidelines we give organizers are described in more detail here: http://storage.ted.com/tedx/manuals/tedx_content_guidelines.pdf

Bethany Yeiser was an honors student at the University of Southern California before she developed schizophrenia and became homeless. Today, she runs the CureSZ Foundation to help others fully recover from schizophrenia. Bethany Yeiser (@BethanyYeiser) and the CURESZ Foundation (@CURESZorg) is on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Bethany Yeiser is the founding president of the CureSZ Foundation (Comprehensive Understanding via Research and Education into SchiZophrenia) which she established jointly with Henry A. Nasrallah, MD, in July, 2016. She also maintains a blog called “Recovery Road” on PsychologyToday.com. Bethany holds a bachelor’s degree in molecular biology with honors from the University of Cincinnati. Prior to becoming homeless, she published three articles in molecular biology, including a first-authored article in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Bethany began full-time college at age fifteen and transferred to the University of Southern California at seventeen. Bethany was diagnosed with schizophrenia in 2007 after spending four years as a homeless person, including one year living outside in a churchyard. In 2008, she achieved full recovery on an underutilized medication, clozapine. Follow@BethanyYeiser) and the CURESZ Foundation
(@CURESZorg) on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

View 26 Comments

26 Comments

  13. @imsnowedn on

    There is lots of stuff going on here. Society breeds the paranoia, but the psychoactive disorder is probably mostly genetic. In my community, people out on the street more than 4-5 months develop both ADHD and Paranoia. I did about 3 months on the street due to divorce and saw a lot of this. I clawed my way back to steady work and steady housing, but I could see that no one wants to really help, so people develop delusions that God and friends are going to fix everything. Of course, you can only help yourself. This is a great, insightful look at some of the challenges out on the street.

  14. @cateandrews2085 on

    I appreciate your honesty saying it felt "embarrassing and insulting" and then how you processed this assessment and went on with your life. Some people unfortunately use this diagnosis to abuse people and coercively control then when they feel criticised or want to control speech. I respect your speaking out and explaining the thought processes you experienced. "When does Normal become abnormal" your reflection offers us insight as well as question about homelessness and losing touch with what is imagined and what is real. Sitting in a counselking course I was frustrated by 2 newbies who thought pontificating about this was supportive rather than realistically understanding disorders and the need to support quality of life with a delineation of these for the client's support. Congratulations for your molecular biology degree! WOW. Your renewed confidence and memoir is another inspiring voice you gave to us, the audience. I appreciate your bravery to encourage recovery for others. I have looked into the speech that indicates clanging and chaotic incomprehensible babble and you have broken this stereotype! Speaking out has been an opportunity to change opinions and give hope for recovery for many. Thank you

  15. @johnraphael5859 on

    I have negative auditory hallucinations.. It's very disturbing and I feel fear and stressed. I can't sleep coz I still hear them… They voices I hear are group of people trying to hurt me or threaten to kill me. Sometimes, when I see people talking to themselves in groups, I always thought they are talking about me…. It's really crazy and stressful…. Sometimes, I locked myself in my room for a week and when I feel better I come out….

  16. @Filthycoffin on

    People need to realize they gotta get away from toxic environments and clean healthy food heal their gut and stay away from pharmaceuticals or you’re gonna be wishing you never touched them

  21. @czlucar on

    No, it's not a physical disease. It's a disorder. And it's great that there was a drug that worked so well for her, but there are many others who recover without any psychiatric meds.

  26. @yaminaboub-jo2lb on

    I have a brother who suffers from schizophrenia we are not sure about his diagnosis yet , this ted talk made my cry , I love my brother and belrive in him , I have known since I was born he was like my friend and family and everything even though he has never served me or given me anything , i love unconditionally I love him and beleive in him , I hope he can heal and feel better , he is so violent and has disoriented speech , he doesn't care about his hygiene but I beleive in him and i am sure he loves me too .

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