In an open e-mail to his colleagues, psychologist Frederick Frese, Ph.D., an acknowledged "pro-sumer" (a mental health professional who has experienced mental illness) pointed out that of 137,000 members of the American Psychological Association, only ten were known to him to have revealed a psychiatric history. Among psychiatrists, some may reveal their status to trusted friends. However, very few have been openly willing to utilize their psychiatric histories as areas of special expertise. Among these are Suzanne Vogel-Scibilia, M.D., who speaks often of her diagnosis of bipolar disorder, and Daniel Fisher, M.D., Ph.D., a psychiatrist with a diagnosis of schizophrenia and a leadership role in the consumer movement. All acknowledge prior episodes of psychosis and psychiatric hospitalizations. Yet all are functioning as practitioners or as nationally known advocates.
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