Think about it: how likely is it for an employer to hire someone who self-discloses schizophrenia? And if you choose not to disclose, how do you explain the gaps in your resume when you were involuntarily committed or recovering from a recurring series of episodes? Stigma still plays a big role, even in today’s society. Edit: And that is to say nothing of the problems you face if you are kicked out of the hospital with no place to go. Schizophrenia is a scary illness, bro.

Hmm. My brother has never had interest in holding a job for too long so it isn't something I think about a ton.

If an employer doesn't want to hire someone who occasionally disappears I understand that and I'm not sure it's stigma.

Anyhow, this is a sensitive topic and thanks for discussing it. It's hard to unfurl and investigate these things. Good luck with your own experience.

I may be atypical because I was able to work in industry for a few years before my formal diagnosis. My illness was exacerbated by the fact that I could no longer bolster my identity with work and achievement, so I have found other ways (meditation, medication, and therapy, mostly) to cope with my symptoms.

Good luck with your brother.

my dad had schizophrenia and he starved himself to death because he thought most food and water was poison. he was estranged from his family and was on the streets off and on, mostly because he was ashamed. he on some level knew he was delusional and was ashamed of it, which you would think would undermine his delusion, but i suppose fear comes first.