Ep. 14 – Dr. Janine Roach: Seeing the Person, Not the Diagnosis: The Truth About Bipolar Disorder & Schizophrenia

Hosts Michael Vinton and Tina Chevalier welcome psychiatrist Dr. Janine Roach to discuss bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, psychosis, and severe mental illness in the context of grief after murder-suicide, emphasizing “seeking understanding without seeking blame” and avoiding posthumous diagnosis or stigmatizing violence. Dr. Roach explains common misconceptions, including that bipolar disorder is not moment-to-moment moodiness but cyclical episodes, and outlines bipolar I vs. bipolar II, mania/hypomania, depression, euthymia, and how symptoms can go undiagnosed for years. She describes schizophrenia and paranoid schizophrenia, delusions, hallucinations, disorganized thinking, negative symptoms, and how psychosis can occur in mania or depression. The conversation covers family challenges, legal limits to involuntary care, boundary-setting, support resources like NAMI Family-to-Family, and hope from reduced stigma and increased help-seeking. **988 Lifeline number**: https://988lifeline.org/  At the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, we understand that life's challenges can sometimes be complex. Whether you're facing mental health struggles, emotional distress, alcohol or drug use concerns, or just need someone to talk to, our caring counselors are here for you. You are not alone.   **Didi Hirsch Mental Services:** didihirsch.org   **Crisis Text Line** Text HOME to 741741 Free, 24/7 Mental Health Support    **Dr. Janine Roach**  **Email:** [**jroach@gmail.com**](mailto:jroach@gmail.com) **NAMI \_**https://www.nami.org/programs/nami-family-to-family/ **Michael Vinton** Email:                [info@impactedsurvivors.com](mailto:_info@impactedsurvivors.com)  Website:    www.michaelvinton.com                   http://www.impactedsurvivors.org Podcast:    Unspoken Grief  IG:            @therealmichaelvinton FB:            Michael Vinton Linkedin:   m/ichael-vinton-6702a373 IDMB:                Michael Vinton (III) Headshot: Headshot 1                  Headshot 2   **Tina Chevalier** Email:                [Tina@impactedsurvivors.com](mailto:Tina@impactedsurvivors.com)  Website:    www.impactedsurvivors.org  Podcast:   Unspoken Grief IG:            @impactedsurvivorsofms FB:            Facebook Headshot; Headshot * * * Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.