Thanks so much for this, Richard. I have bipolar disorder and my boyfriend is schizophrenic. When I first met him and he told me, I was concerned because like most folks I had an image in my mind of what schizophenics were all about. Turned out that under normal circumstances, you couldn't tell that he has this disease, but he has endured numerous breakdowns and hospitalizations.

As for me, my illness has has some devastating results in my life--hospitalizations, shock treatments, disruption of my work life, and so on. And as a writer, it is disheartening to go through periods (as I am now) where I can't seem to produce very often--whereas when I am hypomanic, the words seem to flow magically.

One thing that can be especially problematic is a betrayal by one's one family members, as you describe. My mother suffered from this disease, and my surviving aunts simply cannot seem to face or discuss my illness, which makes me rather resentful. But my boyfriend and I are lucky to have each other, and that makes the bad times easier. I know this is much more than a lot of folks have, but there are also an increasing number of bipolar bloggers out there who offer each other mutual understanding and support.

Great piece, Richard.

You make some very good points but this piece is rather one-sided and based on anecdotal experience. While your friend's situation is sad and cause for concern, where is the evidence that this is in any way typical? Also, are medical professionals in Canada so biased that they will commit someone who isn't a danger to himself or others? In the U.S., someone cannot be committed against their will unless there is proof of such danger.

Part of the reason that people with schizophrenia or bi-polar disorders may be shunned by their family or friends is the unpredicatable behavior of people with such disorders.

I spent two years working at a half-way house for those who were transitioning from a locked ward in the local hospital or a state mental facility. During that time, I met many people who could be quite charming and behaved normally most of the time. However, when they became psychotic, it was pretty intense. For the untrained and inexperienced, seeing someone they know lose touch with reality in this fashion in conjunction with having no idea what to do can be frightening. The fact that you cannot reason with such people to bring them back to being the person you knew makes it all the more difficult.

I had clients who believed they were the devil, angels, Jesus, or believed household objects were bombs when they lost it. One wanted to kill me. While these sorts of behaviors aren't common when someone is following or receiving effective treatment, they don't have to happen more than once to scare people off. It doesn't help that a lot of people choose to go off their medication because of the side effects or the mental fog they sometimes feel.

While I think your piece has a lot of value, I think it seriously lacks a balanced perspective. It's not all about persucution and taking advantage of the mentally ill. I do wonder though why you don't do what you can to intervene on your friends behalf. Isn't there something you can do to report the abusive situation?

Richard, your heart is absolutely in the right place and your compassion laudable and, undoubtedly supportive of your friend.

However, 11 years of social work (8 as a psychiatric social worker) taught me that schizophrenia covers many types of personalities -- good, bad, strong, weak, creative and not.

It sounds as if your friend, as all of us, has the ability to acquiesce or stand up for himself.

Prejudice against emotional "abnormalities" is as terrible and bitter as other prejudices. But the need for strength is part of all our lives -- difficult as it sometimes is. And support from friends like you and couples like Elvira's giving each other support are some of the solutions.