Between The Before & After (The Stories that Shape Us)

Podcast Show Notes: Understanding Schizophrenia and Parenting Challenges

In this thought-provoking episode, Dr. Christopher Slaton, a seasoned educator and mental health advocate, delves into the complexities of parenting, particularly when faced with the challenges of raising a child with schizophrenia. He shares invaluable insights and personal experiences that shed light on the intricacies of mental health support within families.

Key Themes:

Parenting Challenges: Dr. Slaton discusses the difficulties of being a parent, especially when one's own childhood experiences were far from ideal. He emphasizes the responsibility of nurturing and guiding young minds.

Schizophrenia: The episode delves into the world of schizophrenia, a condition that profoundly affected Dr. Slaton's son. He shares how he learned to communicate effectively with his son's brain rather than focusing solely on behavior.

Mental Health Support: Dr. Slaton provides crucial insights into the necessity of early recognition of warning signs in children experiencing mental illness. He stresses the importance of creating a safe environment for self-experience.

Communication and Contracts in Relationships: The discussion touches on the significance of open communication and agreements within relationships. Dr. Slaton highlights how he and his wife formed an unspoken contract to ensure a harmonious family life.

Loss and Grief: The episode explores the painful topic of losing a loved one to schizophrenia and its related complications. Dr. Slaton reflects on the challenges his family faced and the support they provided to his son.

Notable Quotes and Insights:

• "You know, we're talking about, how do you be a parent? You know? Yeah. How do you be a parent when you didn't have that type of childhood?"
• "That's schizophrenia, that's brain talk. He talks all the time. And inside the context is meat on the bone because he's talking to you."
• "Because see, you have a lot of people that are really ill that do things that everybody's in awe about. And some people say, well, you know, he is really, really different. He is really, really on the other side. But no, you don't lose that."
• "I'm the most difficult person to deal with because I'm constantly requiring that you do more because I do more. If you interact with me, it's not gonna stop. We gotta work. We gotta get this done."
• "So you look at the brain, not the body. You look at the brain, you look at the responses. Because you can realize the communication coming back at you."
• "A family is a business. It has to be developed as one."
• "Because I kept notes. For example, he drew, he did all the things that gave us a ton of stuff to look at to know that we were safe."
• "You have to be on 24-7. Because a break can happen, or a psychological event can happen while he's sleeping, and he's gone."

Resources and Where to Find Dr. Slaton:

• Dr. Slaton's books can be found on Amazon, offering valuable insights into his work and experiences.
• Visit his website at drchristopherkslaton.com for more information and resources.
• Explore brainsbody.net for additional content and insights.
• Tune in to the Brains Body Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and iTunes to delve deeper into mental health and family dynamics.

Dr. Christopher Slaton's engaging and enlightening conversation provides a unique perspective on parenting, mental health, and the power of understanding the brain's inner workings. Don't miss this impactful episode filled with valuable insights and heartfelt experiences.