rachelstarlive

10/15/2025

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.

https://psychcentral.com/blog/is/is-podcast-childhood-schizophrenia-controversy-and-what-parents-should-know Healthline PsychCentral.com

Should we diagnose schizophrenia in children? We explore on this episode of the Inside Schizophrenia podcast. Listen Now!

09/24/2025

Dealing with the Trauma of Schizophrenia
The experiences of living with schizophrenia can be traumatic: hospitalizations, treatments, and 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.

https://psychcentral.com/blog/is/is-podcast-dealing-with-the-trauma-of-schizophrenia PsychCentral.com Healthline

Although PTSD is common in schizophrenia, trauma care is seldom provided. We discuss this and more on this podcast episode.

09/17/2025

My kids' mental health comic book! Now available on Amazon and Kindle!
https://www.amazon.com/Adventures-Fearless-Unstoppable-Light-Ambitious/dp/B0FHWK4ZHS/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

explores what it is like for children struggling with mental health and physical differences. The series helps children understand those around them who are different and empowers them. After the child character of each book learns how to manage their issue, they are then able to recognize it i...

09/17/2025

Schizophrenia Hallucinations, Explained by Those Who Live It
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. Guest host, Rachel Star Withers, a diagnosed schizophrenic, and guest Christopher Grant have a real, raw discussion about what experiencing schizophrenia hallucinations is like.

“Just because something is in the uncanny valley, it doesn’t always mean it’s terrifying or deserves demonization. I’m not blind to that fact that it’s off-putting to people through the perspective of a neurotypical person. I’m glad to say today most of my hallucinations are pretty, I don’t even want to say friendly. They’re just content, like a neutral energy. But, for a long time, I was constantly in a state of like terror, like fight or flight terror when I’d experience it.” ~Christopher Grant aka XO RAD Magical
https://psychcentral.com/blog/podcast-schizophrenia-hallucinations-explained-by-those-who-live-it Healthline PsychCentral.com

Lived experiences reveal the realities behind schizophrenia hallucinations

09/08/2025

The Adventures of __ Series explores what it is like for children struggling with mental health and physical differences.The series helps children understand those around them who are different and empowers them.After the child character of each book learns how to manage their issue, they are then able to recognize it in others and help. When the child helps someone else, they become a superhero.Let’s all be superheroes together!https://www.amazon.com/Adventures-Fearless-Unstoppable-Light-Ambitious/dp/B0FHWK4ZHS/ref=cm_cr_arp_mb_bdcrb_top?ie=UTF8

08/25/2025

How Age and Gender Affect Schizophrenia Symptoms
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.
https://psychcentral.com/blog/is/is-podcast-how-age-and-gender-affect-schizophrenia-symptoms
PsychCentral.com Healthline

Discussing why schizophrenia looks different depending on your gender, age, and more on this podcast episode

08/14/2025

Inside Mental Health Podcast: Unmasked: Facts, Myths, and Lived Reality

What do you really know about schizophrenia? Guest host Rachel Star Withers — who lives with schizophrenia — takes us beyond the headlines and horror movies in this powerful, honest, and enlightening episode of Inside Mental Health. Joined by neuropsychologist and schizophrenia researcher Dr. Derin Cobia, Rachel explores what schizophrenia is, what it isn’t, and how it silently shapes the lives of millions.

They break down the real symptoms — including hallucinations, delusions, cognitive disruptions, and depression — and discuss why “positive” and “negative” symptoms are misleading terms. Rachel shares personal stories of psychosis, navigating daily life, and the lifesaving importance of support, while Dr. Cobia of BYU unpacks the science: from genetics to stigma to what the media consistently gets wrong.

Whether you’ve never met someone with schizophrenia (spoiler: you have) or you’re supporting a loved one, this episode replaces fear with empathy and misunderstanding with clarity. You’ll come away informed, moved, and maybe even surprised.

https://psychcentral.com/blog/podcast-schizophrenia-unmasked-facts-myths-and-lived-reality
Thank you to Gabe Howard for allowing me to guest-host Inside Mental Health!
Healthline PsychCentral.com

A raw, honest look at schizophrenia from both science and experience on the latest podcast episode of Inside Mental Health

08/08/2025

Thank you to “Beat The Mental Health Out Of It!” podcast with The DEFECTIVE Schizoaffective for having me!

We’re just two people who live with schizotypal mental illnesses and depression, talking about what it actually feels like to survive in a society that doesn’t want to understand.

Here are the topics we’ll cover:

Living With Schizophrenia & Depression
What it really looks like—not the romanticized media version. Hallucinations, suicidal thoughts, and constant self-monitoring.

The Lie Of “Supportive Society”
Families mean well, but they don’t always help. Friends vanish. Society punishes honesty.

Suicidal Ideation In Everyday Life
Not a cry for help. A daily reality. And people are scared to hear the truth.

Cancel Culture Vs. Coping With Comedy
How do you talk about mental illness when everything you say could get you canceled?

The Ugly Side Of Online “Advocacy”
Mentally ill content creators bear a larger burden. Sharing our truth can destroy us or set us free—and many times… BOTH.

Functioning In A Broken System
Jobs, relationships, survival—all while battling voices, mood swings, and the pressure to “seem normal.”

Using Creativity To Stay Alive
Flow states aren’t a luxury; they’re a survival tool. If you can’t create, you sink.

Self-Diagnosis & Gatekeeping In Mental Health
Is self-diagnosing dangerous—or is it the only way some people get answers?

Fake Media Portrayals Vs. Reality
Hollywood still paints schizophrenia like a horror movie. Real life is quieter—and much more brutal.

Trusting Yourself When Your Mind Lies
How do you stay safe when you don’t even know if your thoughts are real?

The Beauty Of Simply Getting By
Why it is a TRIUMPH when those of us with mental illnesses simply survive our symptoms?

We are going to SMASH this stigma for all of you, so look out!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogTtRwmng4s

Check out The DEFECTIVE Schizoaffective at
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Welcome to “Beat The Mental Health Out Of It!” with your host, The DEFECTIVE Schizoaffective!Join me for an episode that I have wanted to do with an individu...

08/08/2025

Inside Schizophrenia Podcast: Understanding Psychosis for Loved Ones and Caregivers

Psychosis is a state of impaired reality that 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.”
A PsychCentral.com Healthline podcast

https://psychcentral.com/blog/is/inside-schizophrenia-podcast-understanding-psychosis-for-loved-ones-and-caregivers

“Living Well with Psychosis” author, Dr. Aaron Brinen, is a featured guest on this episode of the Inside Schizophrenia podcast

06/30/2025

Advocacy for Schizophrenia and Serious Mental Illnesses
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 C-Trilogy Outreach LLC, 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.

https://psychcentral.com/blog/is/is-podcast-advocacy-for-schizophrenia-and-serious-mental-illnesses
PsychCentral.com Healthline

Curious how to advocate for your loved one with schizophrenia? This podcast episode explores.