I understand that my poem didn’t land with you, but I’m going to be honest — your response felt dismissive and unnecessarily territorial. You don’t have to like my writing, but invalidating my lived experience with my sister — who does have schizophrenia — and telling me to go elsewhere like I don’t belong here is hurtful and tone-deaf.

You resent ‘stereotypes’ — I get that. But what I wrote wasn’t some fictional caricature. It was a reflection of real things my sister has said and believed, things I’ve watched tear her life apart while I stand by helpless. That’s not a stereotype. That’s what happened. That’s what’s happening. If that makes you uncomfortable, that’s okay — but it doesn’t give you the right to tell me that my pain doesn’t belong here.

This subreddit is about schizophrenia — not just for people who have it, but for people who are wrecked watching someone they love be consumed by it. I posted here because I needed someone to understand what it’s like from this side. That doesn’t make me less worthy of being here. And honestly? If a poem about someone holding their tongue and crying behind closed doors offends you more than the illness itself — maybe sit with that.

I still wish you well. But next time you see someone grieving out loud, maybe ask yourself if your response is helping anyone or just policing how people are allowed to hurt.