This week, the American Psychiatric Association unveils the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, the so-called bible of mental illness. The bible has changed with our society’s understanding of mental illness and health; and it’s changed along with what we’ve all come to understand as quote unquote, normal. But beyond the big, controversial book are the voices behind the diagnoses.
Mary Harris is a producer here at The Takeaway and WNYC Radio. She spoke with diagnosed schizophrenics coping with their mental illness, one day at a time.