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Health Check: A musician’s story of coping with schizophrenia

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2023/10/25 GMT

A musician’s story of coping with schizophrenia

BBC World Service - Health Check, A musician’s story of coping with schizophrenia

How a mother is supporting her son to perform again after he developed psychosis.

Claudia Hammond has an in-depth conversation with a musician who was diagnosed with schizophrenia ten years ago, and his mother, who’s helping him to make music once again.

Talented guitarist, Hamish Barclay, was given steroids when he was a teenager to treat a kidney problem. He then experienced the rare side effect of psychosis and was later diagnosed with schizophrenia. He has lived the condition for the past ten years.

Now 29, he’s being supported by his mother Josephine to return to making music once again.

Claudia Hammond sits down with Josephine, Hamish and his sister Maudie for a conversation about life with schizophrenia – and the stigma around the word.

The family talk about how they sometimes avoid using the term because they know it can put people off playing music with Hamish and Maudie describes how her mum ensures Hamish can continue to play by driving him to London and sitting in classes with him.

We also hear some of Hamish’s compositions, as he tells us about the voices – or auditory hallucinations – that affect his songwriting. And hear how important returning to music has been for his wellbeing and mental health.

Presenter: Claudia Hammond
Producer: Dan Welsh

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