The article that follows is part of the Schizophrenia Bulletin's ongoi
ng First Person Accounts series. We hope that mental health profession
als - the Bulletin's primary audience - will take this opportunity to
learn about the issues and difficulties confronted by consumers of men
tal health care. In addition, we hope that these accounts will give pa
tients and families a better sense of not being alone in confronting t
he problems that can be anticipated by persons with serious emotional
difficulties. We welcome other contributions from patients, ex-patient
s, or family members. Our major editorial requirement is that such con
tributions be clearly written and organized, and that a novel or uniqu
e aspect of schizophrenia be described, with special emphasis on point
s that will be important for professionals. Clinicians who see articul
ate patients, with experiences they believe should be shared, might en
courage these patients to submit their articles to First Person Accoun
ts, Division of Clinical and Treatment Research, NIMH, 5600 Fishers La
ne, Rm. 18C-06, Rockville, MD 20857.