[Panel 1: Guide For Schizophrenia by Christine Deneweth.]

[Panel 2 and 3: Person with short curly brown hair, glasses, and a green shirt. She is saying, “Hi, my name is Crass and I’m schizophrenic. Having schizophrenia is rough, but the fact that there are so few resources for people who have it is also rough. This is a help guide for people with schizophrenia by someone with schizophrenia.”]

[Panel 4: Text saying, “What is schizophrenia? Schizophrenia is a complex mental disorder that affects how a person thinks, acts, and emotes. They may have issues distinguishing what is reality. They can be emotionally unresponsive or express emotions inappropriately.”]

[Panel 5: A tree and sunny field. The text says, “What is it like (for me)? Sometimes everything looks hazy. I have voices that say random things. I have paranoid thoughts that my life is just an experiment and everyone I know hates me.”]

[Panel 6: Crass saying, “Remember that everyone experiences it different and everyone’s experience is valid.”]

[Panel 7: Drawing of a TV with a frowning face. The text says, “The stigma. There isn’t much visibility for people with schizophrenia, and what little visibility there is usually is negative.”]

[Panel 8: Text that says, “‘People with severe mental illnesses like schizophrenia, bipolar or psychosis are 2 ½ times more likely to be attacked, raped or mugged than the general population (Hiday, et al. 1999).’ Yes, there are some who can be violent, but that’s true of every demographic.”]

[Panel 9: Crass saying, “Fighting against your own head is hard, but there are ways to cope. I’m here to help with my list of how to live with schizophrenia.”]

[Panel 10: Number one. Drawing of a paintbrush and artist pallet. The text says, “When the voices are strong, fight back with creativity.”]

[Panel 11: Crass drawing with text that says, “Whenever my voices start to bother me, I like to draw out how they’re making me feel. Writing it out is also helpful.”]

[Panel 12: Crass saying, “Keep a small notebook handy. Put what’s in your head on paper if it will give you relief.”]

[Panel 13: Number 2. Drawing of a door with the text, “If you’re uncomfortable, say something or remove yourself.”]

[Panel 14: “Some days are better than other, and when you have bad days, say so. No one is at 100% all the time. If a situation is upsetting you, it’s ok to take some space for yourself.”]

[Panel 15: Crass saying, “People can’t understand what’s going on if you keep it to yourself. Try to take your time to talk it out, your comfort is important.”]

[Panel 16: Number three. Drawing of paper and a pencil with the text, “Write out your paranoid thoughts.”]

[Panel 17: Drawing of paper with lines on it and a cell phone. The text says, “Whenever I feel paranoid, I like to write out my thoughts. And then I like to try and back them up with actual proof. I can never actually prove them, so I usually can calm myself down. If this isn’t enough, don’t be scared to reach out to online communities, friends, loved ones or anyone you trust.”]

[Panel 19: Number four. A waterdrop with the text, “If you start to hallucinate, splash water on your face.”]

[Panel 20 and 21: Drawing of a faucet with the text, “Whenever I felt myself start to slip, I would snap myself back by splashing some cold water on my face. The sudden cold sensation jolts me back into refocusing around me. My hallucinations are mild, so this trick works for me. If you have more intense hallucinations, you might want to seek help. Feeling comfortable and safe matters. Do what you need to get there.”]

[Panel 22: Number five. Drawing of a therapy couch with the text, “Therapy and medication can be useful for some.”]

[Panel 23 and 24: Crass saying, “Therapy and medication are a must for me. It was a three-year long process to find the right therapist and combo of medication. But it was worth it. If you decide to take this route, remember it takes a while to get everything just right. Even getting diagnosed as someone with schizophrenia takes a while because it is rare.”]

[Panel 25: Number six. Drawing of a box with text that says, “Resist neurotypical pressures to fit into the norm.”]

[Panel 26 and 27: Crass saying, “Since being neurotypical is the norm, if you have a mental disorder you are seen as other. It shouldn’t be like that. No one should be forced to fit into a box. Your well-being should be what matters most. It’s ok to be you! Your experience matters! Your voice matters! Your visibility matters!”]

[Panel 28, 29, and 30: Crass smiling and saying, “Everyone experiences schizophrenia differently. No experience is ‘right’ or more ‘valued’ than another. Who you are is beautiful, don’t let anything or anyone tell you otherwise. You deserve comfort, visibility, compassion and happiness!”]

Comic made by Christine Deneweth for Everyday Feminism.