Closing One Chapter, Opening Another Artwork

Schizophrenia As I Live It (audio)

I discuss navigating the labyrinth of paranoid schizophrenia as a personal and Informative journey.

I'm Diana Dirkby, and I'm living with paranoid schizophrenia. In this podcast, I'll open up about my experiences with this complex brain disorder while also providing a comprehensive overview of schizophrenia itself. Despite sharing common symptoms, each individual's journey with schizophrenia is unique. We all seek tools and strategies to manage our symptoms within the context of our unique lives.

As mental health consumers, we are responsible for sharing our experiences openly and honestly. By doing so, we can help combat the stigma associated with schizophrenia. We can empower listeners to understand what psychosis truly feels like, dispelling the fear and misconceptions that often surround it. While a schizophrenic episode can be an intense and overwhelming experience, it's important to remember that the person experiencing it is usually not a threat to others.

Beyond my experiences with schizophrenia, I'll also share aspects of my life that transcend my mental health condition. This serves as a reminder that mental health consumers are multifaceted individuals, not defined solely by their diagnoses.

My fiction novel, "The Overlife: A Tale of Schizophrenia," is based on a deeply personal exploration of my own experiences and those of my mother. It's available as a Kindle and paperback book (visit https://www.amazon.com/author/diana_dirkby or search for "Diana Dirkby" on Amazon). An audiobook version will be released soon. For more information, please visit my website: https://overliveschizophrenia.com/.

Part 1 of this podcast aired during the prepublication phase of my novel. Now the book has appeared, Part 2 assumes you have access to it. You can still follow along without having read it. However, reading the book will help you understand and appreciate my podcast.

Together, we can break down barriers and promote open conversations about mental health. Thank you for joining me on this journey.

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Schizophrenia As I Live It (audio)

Closing One Chapter, Opening Another

April 19, 2025 • Diana Dirkby

0:00 | 6:36

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Today marks a meaningful transition as I conclude "Schizophrenia As I Live It" and introduce my new creative journey, "Fractured Ink: Writing in Life's Chaos." While living with paranoid schizophrenia remains an essential part of my identity, my fiction writing is expanding to embrace the full spectrum of my experiences.

"Fractured Ink: Writing In Life's Chaos," or "Fractured Ink," for short, delves deeper into topics that have shaped my life beyond mental illness—from exploring sibling abuse in my second novel "Three Kidnapped, Three Siblings, Three Furies" (https://amazon.com/dp/B0DPXW76DV/) to sharing how I built a successful career as a research mathematician and university professor despite my diagnosis. You'll discover how adaptation, fortunate circumstances, and supportive colleagues helped me navigate professional challenges while managing schizophrenia.

The podcast balances serious subjects with life's joys. Humor has been crucial to my survival, and I'm eager to share what makes me laugh. I'll talk about finding love in marriage, my passion for bird watching and nature walks, and why love is never wasted—even when directed toward complicated relationships. Every Sunday at 5 pm PST, I'll bring you new episodes in both audio and video formats, available on Apple Podcasts and my YouTube channel "@DianaDirkbyWrites." (https://www.youtube.com/@DianaDirkbyWrites)

As we embark on this new chapter, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for your support throughout "Schizophrenia As I Live It." That podcast will remain available as a resource, while "Fractured Ink" expands our conversation. Episode 0 is already available as a preview, with Episode 1 premiering tomorrow. Subscribe to my YouTube channel, join the discussion in the comments, and let's continue exploring life's challenges and celebrations together.

My website and social media:

My Instagram: @dianadirkby_writings (https://www.instagram.com/dianadirkby_writings/)
My Facebook Page: Diana Dirkby Writings (https://www.facebook.com/DianaDirkbyAuthor)

My X-account: @dianadirkby (https://x.com/DianaDirkby)
My YouTube channel @DianaDirkbyWrites (https://www.youtube.com/@DianaDirkbyWrites)

#fiction #novel #families #relationships #challenges #schizophrenia #CPTSD #epilepsy #siblingabuse #mentalhealth #nature #birds #birdwatching

Do you love to watch wild birds from inside your home? Then, your answer is a feeder that won a British Birdwatching Innovation Award and was updated just this year, 2025. It is designed with clear, strong plastic, so nothing obstructs the view of the birds who visit it to feed. It has extra-strong suction cups that ensure it stays in place. It has a high roof, which is also suitable for larger birds. Where can you find it? To see it on Amazon, click on the following link: https://amzn.to/42jxzDF. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. #ad #commissionsearned #birds #wildbirds #birdfeeder #nature #birdwatching

Pastime With Good Company by King Henry VIII, played by The Chestnut Brass Company

Pastime With Good Company, composed by King Henry VIII, played by The Chestnut Brass Company

Series Finale Announcement

Speaker 1 1:04

Hello , my name is Diana Dirkby and I live with paranoid schizophrenia . You are listening to my podcast Schizophrenia As I Live It . This episode is the final one of this podcast series . I am starting a new podcast series that in many ways , acts as a sequel to this one , in that schizophrenia will also be discussed in the new podcast , whose title is Fractured Ink: Writing in Life's Chaos , or Fractured Ink for short . Episode 0, a preview of the podcast is published . Episode 1 goes live tomorrow , April 20 , 2025 , at 5pm Pacific Standard Time . Fractured Ink will have an audio and video version . The audio version will be available on many platforms like Apple Podcasts , including my YouTube channel . The video version will be available on my YouTube channel @Diana Dirkby Writes , and I'll give the URL for that in the episode notes .

Speaker 1 2:20

The motivation for a new podcast comes from my writing , which is growing to include important themes outside schizophrenia , like sibling abuse, the topic of my second published novel , Three Kidnapped , Three Siblings , Three Furies . As you will learn in the next episode , Episode one , Fractured Ink:

Introducing Fractured Ink Podcast

Speaker 1 2:44

Introducing Myself and my Novels , is closely related to my last blog post Extract From My Books . My podcast often deals with serious issues like mental illness and child abuse . However , although these issues have been part of my life and the lives of other authors I will discuss , we will still have some fun . Humor has been a big part of my survival arsenal and I want to share with you what makes me laugh . Also , love , even for my problematic family and friends , is a prominent feature of my life . I have found love in marriage . I will share with you all those things and explain why love is never a wasted emotion . I have many interests , such as listening to music , reading ,

Beyond Schizophrenia: New Themes

Speaker 1 3:35

walking in nature , watching wildlife , especially bird watching , and I will share those . I had professional success as a research mathematician and university professor . How did I manage that with schizophrenia ? That's an interesting story involving adapting how I work , luck and supportive colleagues . There is much in my story to celebrate , so the serious treatment of specific , severe problems and issues will be peppered with much happiness to entertain .

Speaker 1 4:07

Every Sunday at 5pm , Pacific Standard Time is my target day and time of the week for posting new podcast episodes . I may not always manage that , so if life gets in the way , wait for the notification that a new episode is posted . If I need to skip a week , I will aim to post the next episode on the Sunday after the one I missed at 5pm PST .

Balancing Serious Issues With Joy

Speaker 1 4:34

To be better informed by receiving notifications , subscribe to my YouTube channel @Diana Dirkby Writes . Don't forget to like and comment on my videos . If you prefer the audio version , it is already on Apple Podcasts and will also be on YouTube . In the episode description , I will remind you of my website address and the coordinates of my social media and talk about my favorite bird feeder . Thank you for listening . Thank you for following me in this journey

Speaker 1 5:12

of this first podcast , which now has a sequel . Schizophrenia As I Live . It will still be available , so if you want to refer back to it at any time , you can do so . I really thank you for your support and thank you for listening .