Schizophrenic NYC: “One in five New Yorkers has a Mental Health issue, but people don’t talk about it because of all the stigma.”

Living with Schizophrenia can be both confusing and isolating. One of the most disorienting aspects of the illness is talking to hallucinations without even realizing it. It’s like having a conversation with a friend that no one else can see or hear. It’s only when someone points out that you’re speaking to yourself or someone who isn’t there that reality comes crashing back in. It’s a stark reminder of the challenges of navigating a world where what you see and hear may not always be real. It’s a reminder of the importance of seeking help and support to distinguish between what’s happening in your mind and what’s happening in the world around you.

Hi, I’m Michelle and I have been diagnosed with schizophrenia. To shoe that my episodes of psychosis are non-violent, I use a security camera in my apartment to document them. The recordings show me sitting on my couch, talking to myself, and making strange facial expressions, but I do not pose any harm or threat to others.

Michelle Hammer
Mental Illness
Schizophrenic.NYC