I am responding to Jake Larsen’s “Beyond professors” Viewpoint in the Feb. 4 edition of The Daily Universe. He stated that “in a way I’m a bit schizophrenic — I work as a network analyst for BYU, I have taught French courses at BYU as a student instructor and I am also a current student.” I am just curious to know what about his situation really makes him remotely schizophrenic. If it’s a matter of feeling as though he has a split personality because he has a foot in three different worlds, fine. Then he should say he has a bit of a split personality. If it has to do with something else then I really have no idea why he used the comparison of schizophrenia.
In reality, schizophrenia is a brain disorder that interferes with a person’s ability to think clearly, manage emotions, make decisions and relate to others. Many people with schizophrenia experience several, if not all, of the following symptoms: hallucinations, delusions, hearing voices, altered senses, confused or disorganized thought processes, blunted or altered emotions, social withdrawal, paranoia and anxiety. But most importantly, schizophrenia is not a split personality.
Whatever the reason for the comparison, I think it was inappropriate and unnecessary. Even if the viewpoint section is merely opinion and should only be taken at face value, writers should be more aware and more sensitive to what they are in fact writing about.
Jeanine Kelsey
Cody, Wyom.
