Childhood Schizophrenia: Controversy and What Parents Should Know

Childhood schizophrenia is one of the rarest — and most controversial — diagnoses in psychiatry. In this episode, host Rachel Star Withers (who lives with schizophrenia) and co-host Gabe Howard, joined by board certified psychiatrist Dr. Nicole Washington, explore the complexities of diagnosing schizophrenia in children and teens. Together, they unpack the challenges of distinguishing symptoms from typical childhood imagination, the life-altering implications of early treatment, and the risks of misdiagnosis with conditions like autism, ADHD, or bipolar disorder. Rachel also shares her own childhood experiences with hallucinations, offering a rare personal perspective on what it’s like to grow up with symptoms that may go unnoticed for years. Takeaways for listeners: why diagnosing schizophrenia in children is so complicated — and controversial how to tell the difference between usual childhood behavior and red flags the risks of misdiagnosis and overmedication what parents and clinicians should consider before starting treatment why early intervention can make all the difference — but also carries risks Whether you’re a parent, mental health professional, or simply curious, this episode sheds light on the difficult realities and unanswered questions surrounding childhood schizophrenia. Our guest, a highly respected physician in her field, Dr. Nicole Bernard Washington is a board certified Psychiatrist, speaker, author, and consultant who has always had an affinity towards working with populations who aren’t typically consumers of mental health services.  As Chief Medical Officer and founder of Elocin Psychiatric Services, she has become a staunch advocate for high level professionals who are dealing with untreated mental health issues or general occupational stressors. Dr. Nicole also co-hosts Healthline Media's Inside Bipolar podcast with Gabe Howard. Our host, Rachel Star Withers, (Link: www.rachelstarlive.com) is an entertainer, international speaker, video producer, and schizophrenic. She has appeared on MTV’s Ridiculousness, TruTV, NBC’s America’s Got Talent, Marvel's Black Panther, TUBI’s #shockfight, Goliath: Playing with Reality, and is the host of the HealthLine podcast “Inside Schizophrenia”. She grew up seeing monsters, hearing people in the walls, and having intense urges to hurt herself. Rachel creates videos documenting her schizophrenia, ways to manage, and letting others like her know they are not alone and can still live an amazing life. She has created a kid’s mental health comic line, The Adventures of ____. (Learn more at this link: https://www.amazon.com/Adventures-Fearless-Unstoppable-Light-Ambitious/dp/B0FHWK4ZHS ) Fun Fact: She has wrestled alligators. Our cohost, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. He also hosts the twice Webby honored podcast, Inside Bipolar, with Dr. Nicole Washington. To learn more about Gabe, please visit his website, gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The experiences of living with schizophrenia can be traumatic: hospitalizations, treatments, psychotic episodes. Even though the prevalence of comorbid post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in people with psychosis varies from 11% to 52%, treatment for traumatic experiences is rarely prescribed to people with schizophrenia.  In this episode, host Rachel Star Withers, a diagnosed schizophrenic, and co-host Gabe Howard discuss managing the trauma of living with schizophrenia and why it’s important. Our hosts welcome guest expert Dr. Hector Rodriguez, who is trained in psychiatry, trauma-informed care, and neuroimaging. He blends neuroscience, emotional intelligence, and lifestyle interventions to help people strengthen their minds and reclaim their power. Our guest, Dr. Hector Rodriguez, is trained in psychiatry, trauma-informed care, and neuroimaging. He blends neuroscience, emotional intelligence, and lifestyle interventions to help people strengthen their minds and reclaim their power. As the founder of The White Butterfly Psychiatry & Wellness, Dr. Hector works with individuals from all walks of life — with a special passion for those society has overlooked, marginalized, or written off. Whether in the clinic, on stage, or behind a microphone, Dr. Hector’s mission is to challenge the status quo of mental health and give people the tools to own their minds — instead of being owned by them. Our host, Rachel Star Withers, (Link: www.rachelstarlive.com) is an entertainer, international speaker, video producer, and schizophrenic. She has appeared on MTV’s Ridiculousness, TruTV, NBC’s America’s Got Talent, Marvel's Black Panther, TUBI’s #shockfight, Goliath: Playing with Reality, and is the host of the Healthline podcast “Inside Schizophrenia”. She grew up seeing monsters, hearing people in the walls, and having intense urges to hurt herself. Rachel creates videos documenting her schizophrenia, ways to manage, and letting others like her know they are not alone and can still live an amazing life. She has created a kid’s mental health comic line, The Adventures of ____. (Learn more at this link: https://www.amazon.com/Adventures-Fearless-Unstoppable-Light-Ambitious/dp/B0FHWK4ZHS ) Fun Fact: She has wrestled alligators. Our cohost, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. He also hosts the twice Webby honored podcast, Inside Bipolar, with Dr. Nicole Washington. To learn more about Gabe, please visit his website, gabehoward.com. Thank you for listening and please share widely! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For individuals living with schizophrenia, the world can be populated by voices, visions, or other sensory experiences that are intensely real yet imperceptible to others. These hallucinations, which are a defining feature of schizophrenia, are not mere figments of imagination but rather vivid, often distressing, and deeply influential aspects of their daily reality. Today’s exploration aims to shed light on the phenomenon of hallucinations in schizophrenia, going beyond a diagnostic perspective to consider the actual experience, and the profound impact on an individual's sense of self and connection to the world around them. Host Rachel Star Withers, a diagnosed schizophrenic, and guest Christopher Grant have a real, raw discussion about what experiencing schizophrenia hallucinations is like. “By the time I was in university, I started hearing whispering in the vents of my apartment. Then it suddenly became more focused. Like Command, go take a walk right now or this will happen to you. It continued on and it intensified all the way until as recently as 2022 I've had a lot of ups and downs. I've had a lot of moments where I hit rock bottom personally and then had to find a way to swim back up from that.” — Christopher Grant “We would have classically called it spirits. My grandfather, before he died, when he heard that I was going through the symptoms of schizophrenia, he said, there's no word for it in Mi'kmaq. They just would have said, you're going through a test of the spirits. You’re going on this experience where you have to, learn yourself, learn your strengths, learn your boundaries, and don't give up no matter how turbulent it gets.”   — Christopher Grant Our Guest, Christopher Grant, is a Mi’gmaw filmmaker from Pabineau First Nation, New Brunswick. Inspired by the intense absurdity of life and death, Chris animates to express the humour and terror of existence. He has worked with the NFB’s Hothouse project, and his work has been exhibited at galleries, museums and film festivals internationally. He is also known for his role on TikTok as XORADMAGICAL, where he creates art and answers questions all relating to his experiences with schizophrenia in daily life. Our host, Rachel Star Withers, (Link: www.rachelstarlive.com) is an entertainer, international speaker, video producer, and schizophrenic. She has appeared on MTV’s Ridiculousness, TruTV, NBC’s America’s Got Talent, Marvel's Black Panther, TUBI’s #shockfight, Goliath: Playing with Reality, and is the host of the HealthLine podcast “Inside Schizophrenia”. She grew up seeing monsters, hearing people in the walls, and having intense urges to hurt herself. Rachel creates videos documenting her schizophrenia, ways to manage, and letting others like her know they are not alone and can still live an amazing life. She has created a kid’s mental health comic line, The Adventures of ____. (Learn more at this link: https://www.amazon.com/Adventures-Fearless-Unstoppable-Light-Ambitious/dp/B0FHWK4ZHS ) Fun Fact: She has wrestled alligators. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Schizophrenia may develop in people of all ages, and the early signs of the disorder vary greatly from person to person. While the symptoms are the same, the presentation of them can change due to age of onset, gender, and severity. Host Rachel Star Withers, a diagnosed schizophrenic, and co-host Gabe Howard explore how the early signs of schizophrenia can present differently and specific behaviors to watch for. Joining them is Dr. Gus Alva, a distinguished fellow of the American Psychiatric Association and board certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and the American Board of Geriatrics. As an author and coauthor, Dr. Alva's work has been published in peer-reviewed medical journals, including the International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry and the Journal of the American Psychiatric Association. He has been featured on numerous media outlets and has served as an expert guest in various television programs, such as CNN News. About Our Guest & Hosts Our guest, Dr. Gus Alva, is a Distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association. He is also Board Certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and the American Board of Geriatrics. He completed his residency training at the University of California, Irvine Medical Center in the Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, where he served as chief resident during his final year of residency. He also served as an associate professor and deputy director in the department of psychiatry at U.C. Irvine Medical Center, and he is currently serving as an assistant professor at U.C. Riverside Medical School, Department of Neuroscience. As author or co-author, his work has been published in peer-reviewed medical journals, including the International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, The Journal of the American Psychiatric Association, and Clinics in Geriatric Medicine. He has published numerous articles and presented at national and international meetings and conferences. He was the recipient of the First Annual Senior Care Humanitarian Award as Outstanding Physician in Dementia Care and the Physician’s Recognition Award by the American Medical Association. He has been featured in numerous media outlets and has served as an expert guest in various television programs, such as CNN News, Inside OC, Salud Es Vida, Despierta America, The Morning Blend, Healthy Body, Healthy Mind. Our host, Rachel Star Withers, (Link: www.rachelstarlive.com) is an entertainer, international speaker, video producer, and schizophrenic. She has appeared on MTV’s Ridiculousness, TruTV, NBC’s America’s Got Talent, Marvel's Black Panther, TUBI’s #shockfight, Goliath: Playing with Reality, and is the host of the Healthline podcast “Inside Schizophrenia”. She grew up seeing monsters, hearing people in the walls, and having intense urges to hurt herself. Rachel creates videos documenting her schizophrenia, ways to manage, and letting others like her know they are not alone and can still live an amazing life. She has created a kid’s mental health comic line, The Adventures of ____.  (Learn more at this link: https://www.amazon.com/Adventures-Fearless-Unstoppable-Light-Ambitious/dp/B0FHWK4ZHS ) Fun Fact: She has wrestled alligators.  Our cohost, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. He also hosts the twice Webby honored podcast, Inside Bipolar, with Dr. Nicole Washington. To learn more about Gabe, please visit his website, gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“Schizophrenia” is a scary word. A scary word that 1% of the population manages. Movies and TV shows have long created stigma around those with schizophrenia. But how do you stop fear? With knowledge. On a special bonus episode of the Inside Schizophrenia podcast, host Rachel Star Withers, a diagnosed schizophrenic, sits down with Dr. Derin Cobia to break down the symptoms of schizophrenia, current treatments, and what is on the horizon of schizophrenia research. Our guest, Dr. Derin Cobia, is a neuropsychologist and neuroscientist with particular interest in utilizing neuroimaging techniques to study how changes in brain structure influence cognition and behavior. He is also a professor at Brigham Young University. Dr. Cobia's laboratory is focused on the implementation of computational anatomy tools to study neuropsychiatric diseases, particularly schizophrenia. His interests are in the clinical and biological heterogeneity that exists in schizophrenia by taking a cognitive neuroscience perspective. His work has involved linking cognitive and neurobiological characteristics to important clinical dimensions of the illness. Our host, Rachel Star Withers, creates videos documenting her schizophrenia, ways to manage and let others like her know they are not alone and can still live an amazing life. She has written Lil Broken Star: Understanding Schizophrenia for Kids and a tool for schizophrenics, To See in the Dark: Hallucination and Delusion Journal. Fun Fact: She has wrestled alligators. To learn more about Rachel, please visit her website, RachelStarLive.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Psychosis is a state of impaired reality which may include hallucinations and delusions. Experiencing psychosis can impair your functioning and have a negative effect on various aspects of your daily life, such as work, school, and the ability to maintain relationships. Being in a state of psychosis can be extremely frightening and confusing. Many times, it can be difficult for loved ones, caregivers, and even medical professionals to understand what it's like to experience psychosis. Host Rachel Star Withers, a diagnosed schizophrenic, and co-host Gabe Howard discuss what psychosis is like and how you can help someone who is experiencing psychosis in this episode of Inside Schizophrenia. Clinical psychologist Dr. Aaron Brinen joins as the guest. Dr. Brinen is the co-developer of recovery-oriented cognitive therapy (CT-R), and has been active in adapting CT-R for different settings and training therapists from around the world. He also has a new book out, “Living Well with Psychosis.” Our guest, Dr. Aaron P. Brinen, PsyD, is a clinical psychologist in private practice, where he employs evidence-based treatments to help people recover from serious mental health conditions. He is also Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee. Dr. Brinen is a co-developer of recovery-oriented cognitive therapy (CT-R), and has been active in adapting CT-R for different settings and training therapists from around the world. Our host, Rachel Star Withers, creates videos documenting her schizophrenia, ways to manage and let others like her know they are not alone and can still live an amazing life. She has written Lil Broken Star: Understanding Schizophrenia for Kids and a tool for schizophrenics, To See in the Dark: Hallucination and Delusion Journal. Fun Fact: She has wrestled alligators. To learn more about Rachel, please visit her website, RachelStarLive.com. Our cohost, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. To learn more about Gabe, please visit his website, gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The story of schizophrenia has too often been told through a lens of fear and misunderstanding. But that’s changing. Thanks to relentless advocates, awareness campaigns, and policy reform, stigma is being challenged and access to care is improving. But how do we join this fight? What does real advocacy look like — and where do we even begin? In this episode, host Rachel Star Withers, who lives with schizophrenia, and co-host Gabe Howard share their own advocacy journeys and break down the many ways you can make a difference. Joining them is Dr. Tracy Hicks, a doctor of nursing practice and dual certified psychiatric and family nurse practitioner. With years of hands-on experience pushing for mental health reform, Dr. Hicks offers insight into what effective advocacy really takes — from the clinic to the capitol. Guest Information: Dr. Tracy Hicks, MBA, APRN, FNP- BC, PMHNP-BC, CARN-AP, FIAAN, FAANP Doctor of Nursing Practice, Dual Certified Family Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, Founder and CEO, Director of Clinical Services Founder and CEO of C-Trilogy, Dr. Hicks has been an advocate in the mental health community for many years as well as actively involved in attempts to make changes in legislation to break down barriers to care. C-Trilogy Comprehensive clinical care was established by Dr. Tracy Hicks as a for-profit entity in 2015, and in 2020 the Non-profit sector C-Trilogy Outreach was founded to answer the needs of the community during and after the pandemic. Dr. Hicks is an experienced speaker with several appearances and presentations across the country, primarily in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB), Social Determinants of Health (SDoH), Emotional Intelligence (EI), Leadership, and substance use disorder treatment. She also serves as an advisor, consultant, and speaker in the pharmaceutical industry. Moreover, she is certified in addictions nursing and was inducted into the Fellows of the International Academy of Addiction Nurses in 2019 and the American Association of Nurse Practitioners in 2021. She is a clinic owner and non-profit founder. She serves as Vice President of Texas Nurse Practitioners.  She believes that “restricted NP practice anywhere is restricted access to care everywhere.” https://www.ctrilogyoutreach.org Our host, Rachel Star Withers, creates videos documenting her schizophrenia, ways to manage and let others like her know they are not alone and can still live an amazing life. She has written Lil Broken Star: Understanding Schizophrenia for Kids and a tool for schizophrenics, To See in the Dark: Hallucination and Delusion Journal. Fun Fact: She has wrestled alligators. To learn more about Rachel, please visit her website, RachelStarLive.com. Our cohost, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. To learn more about Gabe, please visit his website, gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Up to 70% of people with schizophrenia don’t take their medication as prescribed. This nonadherence is tied to higher risks of psychosis, relapse, ongoing symptoms, and even suicide attempts. So why do so many people with schizophrenia struggle to stay on their meds — despite such serious consequences? And what can actually be done about it? In this episode of Inside Schizophrenia, host Rachel Star Withers — who lives with schizophrenia — and co-host Gabe Howard explore the complicated reality behind medication adherence. Rachel shares her own experiences with skipping or stopping meds, shedding light on the emotional and psychological challenges that aren’t often discussed. They’re joined by Dr. Alberto Augsten, a toxicologist and psychopharmacologist who consults with pharmaceutical companies and helps shape best-practice guidelines for psychiatric medications. Dr. Augsten brings expert insight into how treatment can be improved and what steps can be taken to support long-term recovery. Listen now to learn more! Our guest, Dr. Alberto Augsten, is a board certified toxicologist and psychopharmacologist. He is a consultant and expert witness specializing in psychopharmacology and clinical toxicology. Offering professional, impactful, and strategic consulting services, Dr. Augsten caters to legal, healthcare, and clinical practice development. His expertise encompasses many areas, ensuring clients receive top-notch guidance and insights. Dr. Augsten specializes in providing tailored consulting services to assist in the development and optimization of clinical practice standards. His expertise covers many areas crucial for clinic development, allowing for standard of care reviews concerning those matters. Dr. Augsten's influence extends beyond his clinical practice. He offers consultation and education services to pharmaceutical companies, contributing to the advancement of pharmaceutical knowledge and practices. Through his contributions, he is helping to improve patient outcomes and ensure the highest quality of care. Our host, Rachel Star Withers, creates videos documenting her schizophrenia, ways to manage and let others like her know they are not alone and can still live an amazing life. She has written Lil Broken Star: Understanding Schizophrenia for Kids and a tool for schizophrenics, To See in the Dark: Hallucination and Delusion Journal. Fun Fact: She has wrestled alligators. To learn more about Rachel, please visit her website, RachelStarLive.com. Our cohost, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. To learn more about Gabe, please visit his website, gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Many adults with schizophrenia rely on family members for daily support, often depending on parents in their 50s or 60s. As these parents grow older, they face mounting physical and emotional challenges — along with the pressing question of who will care for their child in the future. In this episode of Inside Schizophrenia, host Rachel Star Withers, who lives with schizophrenia, and co-host Gabe Howard dive into the unique struggles of aging parents caring for an adult child with schizophrenia. Joining the conversation is Maye Jepson, a mother and caregiver to an adult son with schizophrenia. As a passionate advocate and a master's-level counselor, Maye offers invaluable insights on navigating the caregiving journey and preparing for the future. Maye Jepson lives in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and, along with her husband Phil, is the caregiver/TRUST PARTNER and parent of Jason Jepson who has a diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder. Remembering the uncertain days when her family first learned of her son's mental illness, Maye formed a Facebook support group — Parenting Thru Mental Illness — hoping to give and share resources for those who are newly entering the world of mental illness. In the past, Maye has volunteered with several international boards, including Stonecroft Ministries, Imago Dei Arts, and Global Partners in Hope. In addition to a Bachelor of Science degree, Maye has a master’s degree in counseling from Marshall University. Like her son, Maye volunteers with the Share Network where she shares her perspective on mental health as a parent, wanting desperately to help a young adult child maneuver the challenges of schizophrenia. She works as a Care Guide for Johnson and Johnson’s Connected by Hope program. Maye serves on the Advisory Board of Students with Psychosis because she believes in the importance of shedding light on mental health issues from the youngest to the oldest consumer. Maye and her son Jason were Finalists for the Social Health Network’s Best Team award, and they were the recipients of the Students with Psychosis Family Advocacy Award. Our host, Rachel Star Withers, creates videos documenting her schizophrenia, ways to manage and let others like her know they are not alone and can still live an amazing life. She has written Lil Broken Star: Understanding Schizophrenia for Kids and a tool for schizophrenics, To See in the Dark: Hallucination and Delusion Journal. Fun Fact: She has wrestled alligators. To learn more about Rachel, please visit her website, RachelStarLive.com. Our cohost, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. To learn more about Gabe, please visit his website, gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Schizophrenia is a complex and often misunderstood mental illness, and misinformation and stigma surrounding the condition are still prevalent in our societies. The stereotypes and the myths of schizophrenia create challenges for people with diagnosed schizophrenia, but also for healthcare workers, family members, and caretakers. Host Rachel Star Withers, a diagnosed schizophrenic, and co-host Gabe Howard break down the top myths surrounding schizophrenia. Remember, just because society believes that it’s true doesn’t mean it is.  Guest Psychiatrist Dr. Richard W. Miller joins to discuss the myths he is confronted with daily working in the mental health field. To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page. Our Guest, Dr. Richard (Rick) W. Miller, is a psychiatrist in East Greenwich, Rhode Island, and is affiliated with multiple hospitals in the area, including South County Hospital and Landmark Medical Center. He received his medical degree from Rutgers New Jersey Medical School and has been in practice for 14 years. Our Host, Rachel Star Withers, creates videos documenting her schizophrenia, ways to manage and let others like her know they are not alone and can still live an amazing life. She has written Lil Broken Star: Understanding Schizophrenia for Kids and a tool for schizophrenics, To See in the Dark: Hallucination and Delusion Journal. Fun Fact: She has wrestled alligators. To learn more about Rachel, please visit her website, RachelStarLive.com. Our Host, Gabe Howard is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. To learn more about Gabe, please visit his website, gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices