Everyone has felt overwhelmed by loud noises, bright lights, or strong smells — but for people with schizophrenia, sensory overload can be constant and intense. Sensory processing dysfunction can make everyday sights, sounds, and touches feel overwhelming, leading to a phenomenon called “sensory flooding.” It can also make it harder to filter out background noise, identify sensory sources, and focus on tasks — sometimes even contributing to symptoms of psychosis like hallucinations and delusions.

Hosts Rachel Star Withers and Gabe Howard explore how schizophrenia affects the senses and what this means for daily life. They’re joined by Dr. Ray Kotwicki, a psychiatrist and Chief Medical Officer at Hightop Health, who shares expert insights into the science behind sensory processing challenges and how to manage them.

Tune in for a fascinating look at the intersection of schizophrenia, sensory overload, and mental health!

To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page.

Our guest, Dr. Ray Kotwicki, MD, MPH, DFAPA, is a psychiatrist and the Chief Medical Officer at Hightop Health. 

Dr. Kotwicki trained as a Department of Energy Fellow and was a Medical Scholar at the University of Wisconsin Medical School. He completed post-graduate training at Harvard Medical School, the Boston University School of Medicine, and Emory University, where he earned a Master in Public Health degree in Health Policy and Management. He remains a full professor on the adjunctive faculty at both the Emory University School of Medicine as well as the Rollins School of Public Health. Kotwicki has presented more than 425 invited lectures, symposia, and seminars to thousands of attendees. He is recognized as a trusted national expert and renowned speaker on current issues in psychiatry, mental health, professionalism, and wellness.

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.

Out co-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.

Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To learn more about Gabe, please visit his website, gabehoward.com.

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The average age of onset for schizophrenia is in early adulthood, late teens to early 30s.

This is an intense stage of life for anyone — graduating high school, first time living on your own, entering the workforce, attending college, and figuring out what you want to do with your life and who you want to be.

Now add experiencing psychosis for the first time, hallucinations, delusions and losing touch with reality.

In this episode of Inside Schizophrenia, hosts Rachel Star Withers and Gabe Howard explore the challenges of managing early adulthood with a schizophrenia diagnosis.

Why does schizophrenia emerge so often in this time frame, what experiences contribute to schizophrenia symptoms, and what are the challenges for young adults with schizophrenia?

Joining us later in the episode is Jules, a 22-year-old artist and college student studying marine biology at Columbia University who lives with schizophrenia.

To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page.

Our guest, 22-year-old Jules, is an accomplished artist and Columbia University freshman who began her studies this fall in both art and marine biology.

Jules’ love for art began when she was just 5 years old. She has continued to nurture this deep passion throughout her life, honing her craft at The New School, and was commissioned by Mount Sinai Hospital in NYC to paint a feature mural. 

But when Jules was in her early teens, she first started experiencing hallucinations. She was afraid to tell anyone what she was experiencing and would try to physically fight her hallucinations. She eventually was admitted to a treatment facility for care and received a schizophrenia diagnosis. Today, Jules is doing well, although she continues to experience symptoms.  

Throughout her journey with schizophrenia, Jules has found her art to be a powerful tool to express how her condition impacts her. She incorporates depictions of the eels and lemons she sees in her hallucinations into her work as a way of illustrating her experience with schizophrenia. Art has become Jules’ coping mechanism, and she credits her creativity partly to her condition.  

Jules is hoping to host an art show next year to showcase her latest projects, in addition to the Mount Sinai mural she’ll be busy working on! 

In partnership with the Live Your PosSCZible campaign (an awareness program by Bristol Myers Squibb), Jules is sharing her story to inspire others who might be living with schizophrenia.

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.comm.

Our co-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.

Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To learn more about Gabe, please visit his website, gabehoward.com.

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Approximately one-fifth of the U.S. population lives in a rural area, and about one-fifth of those living in rural areas, or about 6.5 million individuals, have a mental illness. People living in rural areas have a more difficult time getting proper diagnoses and treatment for serious mental illnesses like schizophrenia. This is due to multiple factors, including a lack of healthcare providers, costs, and social stigmas surrounding schizophrenia in these areas.

Host Rachel Star Withers, a diagnosed schizophrenic, and co-host Gabe Howard discuss the challenges and solutions about access to schizophrenia treatment in rural areas in this episode of Inside Schizophrenia. 

Guest Tarrah Holliday, a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner with extensive experience working with people in rural America who live with schizophrenia and helping rural populations get access to care, joins to share her expertise.

To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page.

Our guest, Tarrah Holliday, based in Atlantic, IA, is a Masters-prepared ANCC board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC), with experience in inpatient and outpatient settings, providing services to approximately 2,400 patients. She works with two crisis stabilization centers, four residential substance abuse treatment centers and 17 mental health care facilities. She has extensive experience working with people in rural America who live with SMI, advocating for a population that is often overlooked and underrepresented. Her professional goal is to reframe the conversation from mental illness to brain health to help patients increase acceptance in seeking treatment.

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 co-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.

Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To learn more about Gabe, please visit his website, gabehoward.com.

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Cognitive deficits are a core feature of schizophrenia and account for much of the impaired functioning associated with this disorder. What are the cognitive deficits associated with schizophrenia? When do they start? Do they ever stop? And does cognitive decline continue throughout our lives? And most importantly, how do we treat these cognitive deficits?

In this episode of Inside Schizophrenia, host Rachel Star Withers and co-host Gabe Howard discuss how the cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia impact people’s lives. Rachel opens up about her ongoing struggles and fears over her cognitive decline.

Guest Dr. Derin Cobia, a clinical neuropsychologist and associate professor of psychology and neuroscience at Brigham Young University, joins to share the research his lab is doing on how changes in brain structure influence cognition and behavior in schizophrenia.

To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page.

This episode is sponsored, in part, by Cornbread Hemp. They produced the first-ever USDA-certified organic CBD gummies in America. Save 30% on your first order using code "Inside30."

Our guest, Dr. Derin Cobia, is a clinical neuropsychologist and Associate Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience at Brigham Young University. Currently, he is Director of the BYU MRI Research Facility and directs the Brain Imaging and Behavior Lab. Broadly, his research interests include using structural neuroimaging to study how changes in brain structure influence cognition and clinical behavior in psychosis-spectrum and neurodegenerative disorders.

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.

Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To learn more about Gabe, please visit his website, gabehoward.com.

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Hope is a crucial element that can significantly influence recovery for people with schizophrenia. It offers a pathway to resilience, empowerment, and a fulfilling life.

However, schizophrenia is a disabling psychiatric condition that impacts 1% of people worldwide and ranks among the top ten global causes of disability. It can be difficult to remain hopeful with statistics like that.

Host Rachel Star Withers, a diagnosed schizophrenic, and co-host Gabe Howard explore how to find hope with a schizophrenia diagnosis in this episode of Inside Schizophrenia. 

Our guest, Christopher Grant, a Mi'gmaw filmmaker and artist who lives with schizophrenia, joins. His work has been exhibited in galleries, museums, and film festivals internationally. He is also known on TikTok as XO Rad Magical, where he has over 1.5 million followers. There, he has created schizophrenia simulators of what he experiences.

To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page.

This episode is sponsored, in part, by Cornbread Hemp. They produced the first-ever USDA-certified organic CBD gummies in America. Save 30% on your first order using code "Inside30."

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 humor 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 relating to his experiences with schizophrenia in daily life.

https://linktr.ee/xoradmagical

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 co-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.

Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To learn more about Gabe, please visit his website, gabehoward.com.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A common symptom of schizophrenia is anosognosia. Anosognosia is when a person is unaware that they have mental health condition or cannot perceive their condition accurately. It is believed that between 50% to 98% of people with schizophrenia have some form of anosognosia.

Is anosognosia that common? Could it be confused with denial? And how can caregivers, family, and loved ones of people with schizophrenia help them gain awareness into the disorder?

Host Rachel Star Withers, a diagnosed schizophrenic, and co-host Gabe Howard discuss the symptom of anosognosia and the popular way of treating it, the LEAP method, in this episode of Inside Schizophrenia. 

Dr. Xavier Amador, creator of the LEAP method, world renowned clinical psychologist, and forensic expert joins in a conversation with Rachel on how caregivers and loved ones can use the LEAP method to help those in their lives struggling with schizophrenia symptoms.

To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page.

This episode is sponsored, in part, by Cornbread Hemp. They produced the first-ever USDA-certified organic CBD and THC gummies in America. Save 30% on your first order using code "Inside30."

Our guest, Dr. Xavier Amador, Founder and President of the LEAP Institute, is a world-renowned clinical psychologist, forensic expert, and author of 9 books, including the bestseller “I Am Not Sick I Don’t Need Help!” His extensive work, books, and clinical research in schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and other mental illnesses have been translated into 30 languages. Additionally, he has authored over 130 peer-reviewed scientific papers and has contributed his expertise to over 80 death penalty cases. He is also a family caregiver of two close relatives with schizophrenia and another with bipolar disorder.

Dr. Amador has trained tens of thousands of professionals and families on LEAP® (Listen-Empathize-Agree-Partner), a communication approach that creates trusting relationships with people who have serious mental illness and anosognosia.

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.

Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To learn more about Gabe, please visit his website, gabehoward.com.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Since the 1950s, the go-to treatment for schizophrenia has been oral antipsychotics. However, the landscape of schizophrenia treatment is changing and evolving, from advancements in antipsychotic long-acting injections to promising new treatments targeting muscarinic receptors to different types of neuromodulation stimuli of the brain, and even new theories connecting schizophrenia to other diseases like chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).

Host Rachel Star Withers, a diagnosed schizophrenic, and co-host Gabe Howard explore the innovations in schizophrenia treatment in this episode of “Inside Schizophrenia.” Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Desiree Matthews, who is at the forefront of helping people with treatment-resistant depression and schizophrenia, joins as a guest to discuss some of the current and upcoming treatments.

To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page.

Our guest, Desiree Matthews, PMHNP-BC, is a board certified psychiatric nurse practitioner with over a decade of experience in mental health treatment, providing top-tier care for those living with severe and persistent mental illness. Desiree is the founder and clinical director of Different Mental Health Program (MHP), which provides a virtual, personalized, and holistic approach to mental health care for patients in North Carolina. In addition to clinical practice, she serves as a member of the steering committee for US Psych Congress and has served faculty appointments with US Psych Congress, Psych Elevate, NP Institute, and with NEI. She is passionate about bringing practical future-focused healthcare education to healthcare providers to improve their patient outcomes.

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.

Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To learn more about Gabe, please visit his website, gabehoward.com.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“Schizoposting” is a growing internet trend that involves posting violent images, videos, text posts, and memes as if the creator is having a mental breakdown. It has become associated with hate movements, and people are using schizoposting as a medium to desensitize and encourage others to violent impulses and unpredictable behavior.

In this episode of Inside Schizophrenia, host Rachel Star Withers, who has been diagnosed with schizophrenia, and co-host Gabe Howard explore the online world of schizoposting and how this affects people diagnosed with schizophrenia. 

Guest Dr. Jim Johansson, who has been studying schizoposting and its growth on alt-right internet platforms, joins for a discussion.

To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the episode page.

Our guest, Dr. Jim Johansson, is a nursing clinical instructor (mental health) and a registered nurse based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. His program of research focuses on the intersection of mental health and the criminal justice system. He has presented his work across Canada and internationally.

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.

Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To learn more about Gabe, please visit his website, gabehoward.com.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How do you refer to a person who has been diagnosed with schizophrenia?

“Person with schizophrenia” or “schizophrenic?” What about other words, for example, “crazy, insane, psycho, or schizo?” The words we use carry meaning and stigma but also information and identity.

Hosts Rachel Star Withers and Gabe Howard explore person-first language versus condition-first language when discussing people with schizophrenia.

NAMI’s (National Alliance on Mental Illness) chief medical officer, Dr. Ken Duckworth, joins to introduce a schizophrenia and psychosis lexicon guide to assist in conversations about schizophrenia.

Our guest, Ken Duckworth’s, journey into psychiatry started when he was a boy growing up with a dad who experienced severe bipolar disorder. His father was loving, kind, and periodically quite ill, hospitalized for months at a time. Ken became a psychiatrist, in part, to help his father. He serves as the chief medical officer for NAMI and feels fortunate to be a part of this community.

Ken recently authored NAMI’s first book, “You Are Not Alone: The NAMI Guide to Navigating Mental Health ― With Advice from Experts and Wisdom from Real People and Families.” Written with authority and compassion, the book is an essential resource for people and families seeking expert guidance on diagnosis, treatment and recovery. It features inspiring true stories from real people in their own words.

Ken is double-board certified in adult and child/adolescent psychiatry and has completed a forensic psychiatry fellowship.

Schizophrenia & Psychosis Guide: Care, Advocacy, Engagement:

https://www.nami.org/Support-Education/Publications-Reports/Guides/Schizophrenia-Psychosis-Guide-Care-Advocacy-Engagement/

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.

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.

Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To learn more about Gabe, please visit his website, gabehoward.com.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

People with schizophrenia are at a greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes than the general population. Diabetes is seen in 1 in 5 people with schizophrenia. Metabolic syndrome occurs in 1 in 3 people with schizophrenia.

What is causing these physical illnesses in people with schizophrenia? Is this just due to our lifestyle factors? How significant a role does medication for schizophrenia play in developing these illnesses? And how can we manage to stay physically healthy with schizophrenia?

Hosts Rachel Star Withers and Gabe Howard share their struggles with weight issues and connections to mental disorders.

Guest Fran Hinson, a registered nurse, personal trainer, and behavior modification specialist, joins us. She works with special populations to help create small, sustainable habits inside and outside the gym.

To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page.

Fran Hinson is passionate about helping people step into their new lives. She has worked in the health and fitness industry for 15 years as a registered nurse, an ACE-certified personal trainer, and a group fitness instructor. She holds a certification as a Behavior Modification Specialist. Fran uses these tools to help her clients make small, sustainable habits inside and outside the gym. You will not become healthier overnight. It happens one small, sustainable step after another. 

“My style is assessment, small changes, execution, and repetition. I will work with you to make small changes to your daily routine, supporting your progress and keeping you accountable along the way.” — Fran Hinson

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.

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.

Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To learn more about Gabe, please visit his website, gabehoward.com.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices