My life and journey with paranoid schizophrenia

This letter was sent to us by Brian Scallan, who wants to share his story with as many people as possible in the hope of reducing the stigma associated with serious mental health problems, such as schizoprenia & psychosis. Brian hopes that others who may be suffering in silence might be encouraged to reach out and seek help.

I was diagnosed with Paranoid Schizophrenia (Psychosis) in February 2012 and hospitalised for the first time at just aged 18 because I went through a traumatic event when I was in college in Waterford in 2010/2011.

I became extremely paranoid and believed everyone knew my face and extremely deluded because I believed the whole country knew my face and even people in England knew my face and to this day I still believe that and I have had to live with this belief ever since.