Recovery “In the Middle”: The Challenge of Negative Symptoms (Ep. 122)

A “Just Us” episode - inspired by listener input

Many listeners have asked us to do an episode about recovery that is “in the middle” - not miraculous, not superstar, but appreciating when “ordinary” is, in itself, a miracle.

Along the way we also talk about President Trump’s Executive Order on Homelessness - On July 24, the White House issued an Executive Order, “Ending Crime and Disorder on America’s Streets,” which directs federal agencies to make it easier to involuntarily treat people with serious mental illnesses as part of a bid to address homelessness across the United States.

Addressing Homelessness and Mental Illness

The group discussed President Trump's executive order on addressing homelessness and mental illness, with Randye, Mindy, and Mimi expressing concerns about the approach. They agreed that while affordable housing is important, it alone is not enough to solve homelessness, and that involuntary treatment must be accompanied by a robust mental health system. Mindy highlighted the need for both conservative and liberal support to create a comprehensive continuum of care, while the group criticized the lack of funding for mental health services under the current administration. They shared personal stories of individuals with mental illness who were unable to access appropriate treatment due to system failures, emphasizing the urgent need for a balanced approach that combines housing, treatment, and support services.

Challenges of Schizophrenia Recovery

The group discussed the challenges faced by individuals with mental illness, particularly focusing on those who are not in active psychosis but still experience significant negative symptoms. The Moms explained that recovery does not mean complete recovery but rather being in a process of improvement, and highlighted the eight principal negative symptoms of schizophrenia, including apathy, blunted emotions, social withdrawal, and anhedonia. The group explored how negative symptoms affect daily life and recovery for their sons.

Challenges of Schizophrenia's Negative Symptoms

The group discussed the challenges of managing schizophrenia, particularly focusing on negative symptoms and their impact on daily life. 

Mindy shared her experience with her son Jim, who struggles with negative symptoms such as lack of initiative and social withdrawal, leading to isolation and difficulty engaging in activities. 

 Mimi shared her positive experience at Dr. Laitman's barbecue event with her son, emphasizing the value of community and understanding among families facing similar challenges. 

The hosts also mentioned President Trump's executive order on homelessness and encouraged listeners to create local support groups for individuals with mental health issues.

Randye described her son's journey with schizophrenia, including periods of improvement followed by setbacks, and highlighted the importance of structure, community, and purpose and treatment in managing the condition. Both women emphasized the difficulty of explaining negative symptoms to others and the need for more support and understanding for individuals with schizophreni

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Randye Kaye
Mindy Greiling
Miriam (Mimi) Feldman