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Taye Diggs wants to “change the conversation” around schizophrenia after sister’s diagnosis
Taye Diggs is opening about a mental health condition that has affected his family: schizophrenia.
The actor, 53, revealed for the first time that his younger sister Christian, 48, was diagnosed with the condition in her 20s.
“I didn’t know what to do,” Diggs told CBS News of his reaction at the time of her diagnosis. “I’m the older brother. Chris and I were very close. I was born first and then she was born, so we had a certain type of bond, and I had always thought I was there for her in whatever capacity she needed. And then we were hit with this, and I had no idea. I had no understanding of what schizophrenia was.”
Schizophrenia, which affects about 24 million people worldwide and 3 million in the U.S., is a mental illness that affects how a person thinks, feels and behaves. According to the Mayo Clinic, schizophrenia “may result in a mix of hallucinations, delusions and disorganized thinking and behavior.”
Though the revelation rocked the family, it answered why Christian went from being “very energetic and lively and bubbly,” as Diggs described, to “really depressed and lackluster.”
“It was great that we were able to put a name on how her behaviors were changing,” he said, but admitted they “immediately expected the worst.”
Like other mental health challenges, schizophrenia is often publicly stereotyped as “craziness.” Other misconceptions include thinking people with the diagnosis have a so-called split personality or unpredictable and dangerous behavior.
But, as the National Institute of Mental Health notes, most people with schizophrenia are not violent and it should not be confused with dissociative identity disorder (previously called multiple personality disorder or split personality).
“Many people who receive treatment can engage in school or work, achieve independence, and enjoy personal relationships,” the organization states.
“I didn’t know if she was going to be able to hold down a steady job. If she could be in a relationship and have kids,” he said. “But once Christian got with a good psychiatrist and found her right meds, it was the exact opposite.”
Now the siblings are trying to change others’ misconceptions about schizophrenia, partnering with global biopharmaceutical company Bristol Myers Squibb to launch the Live Your PosSCZible campaign. The national initiative aims to bring awareness to the condition and reduce stigma for those living with it.
“When I was first diagnosed, it was very shocking and a bit scary,” Christian Diggs says in a video for the campaign. “But of course, after receiving my diagnosis, I felt a little bit calmer about the whole thing, and I actually had hope because I could put a name on everything that was happening.”
Diggs said he wants to “change the conversation” around schizophrenia, especially after seeing his sister “blossom” through her journey with the condition.
“It’s in no way an easy thing to deal with, but it’s not the end of the world by a longshot.”
While there is no cure for schizophrenia, there are “many types of treatment available,” says psychiatric nurse practitioner Desiree Matthews, whom CBS News interviewed alongside Diggs.
“This is a very complex illness and something that at this point we need lifelong treatment for,” she said. “I’m very happy that Taye’s sister and the psychiatrist and the family together (were) able to find a care treatment plan that really worked for Christian, because treatment for schizophrenia should be individualized.”
Without treatment, schizophrenia can lead to other complications, according to the Mayo Clinic, including anxiety and depression, misuse of alcohol or drugs, not being able to work or attend school, money problems, homelessness and social isolation.
“Staying with your treatment plan can help stop symptoms from returning or getting worse,” according to the clinic.
Matthews says the campaign is important not only for the general public but also healthcare professionals to see the stories of individuals “really thriving, despite living with schizophrenia.”
“Unfortunately, we still have these negative perceptions of people living with schizophrenia from TV (and) from the movies,” she said, adding that people with schizophrenia “didn’t have a platform to show everybody what they were really capable of and what was possible living with schizophrenia.”
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How to watch the Minnesota Vikings vs. Chicago Bears NFL game today: Livestream options, more
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The Minnesota Vikings will take on the Chicago Bears today. The Vikings are currently 8-2, an impressive run so far this season, and will be looking to add a fourth win to their current streak after last Sunday’s 23-13 win against the Tennessee Titans. The Bears, on the other hand, are entering this game on the heels of a four-game losing streak after a tough 20-19 loss against the Green Bay Packers last Sunday.
Here’s how and when you can watch the Vikings vs. Bears game today, whether or not you have cable.
How and when to watch the Minnesota Vikings vs. Chicago Bears
The Vikings vs. Bears game will be played on Sunday, November 24, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. ET (11:00 a.m. PT). The game will air on Fox and stream on Fubo and the platforms featured below.
How and when to watch the Minnesota Vikings vs. Chicago Bears game without cable
You can watch this week’s NFL game on Fox via several streaming services. All you need is an internet connection and one of the top options outlined below.
Fubo offers you an easy, user-friendly way to watch NFL games on CBS, Fox, NBC, ABC, ESPN, and NFL Network, plus NCAA football channels. The Pro tier includes 200+ channels and unlimited DVR, while the Elite with Sports Plus tier adds NFL RedZone and 4K resolution. New subscribers get a seven-day free trial and all plans allow streaming on up to 10 screens simultaneously.
You can watch today’s game with a subscription to Sling’s Orange + Blue tier, which includes ESPN, ABC, NBC, and Fox. The plan offers 46 channels with local NFL games, nationally broadcast games and 50 hours of DVR storage. For complete NFL coverage, add Paramount+ to get CBS games, or upgrade with the Sports Extra add-on for additional sports channels like Golf Channel, NBA TV and NFL RedZone.
Watching NFL games, including Fox broadcasts, is simple with Hulu + Live TV, which includes 90 channels, unlimited DVR storage, and access to NFL preseason games, live regular season games and studio shows. The service includes ESPN+ and Disney+ in the subscription.
Want to watch today’s game live on your smartphone? If so, NFL+ streaming service is the solution you’re looking for. It lets you watch NFL Network and out-of-market games on mobile devices, with an upgrade option to NFL+ Premium that includes NFL RedZone for watching up to eight games simultaneously. Note that NFL+ only works on phones and tablets, not TVs.
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How to watch the Detroit Lions vs. Indianapolis Colts NFL game today: Livestream options, more
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The Detroit Lions will face off against the Indianapolis Colts today. The Lions enter this game as top contenders with a near-perfect record of 9-1 so far this season. The Colts, who are 5-6 this season, could have a tough game on their hands against the Lions but will be looking to rack up another win after prevailing over the New York Jets in a tight game last Sunday.
Here’s how and when you can watch the Colts vs. Lions game today, whether or not you have cable.
Here’s how and when to watch the Detroit Lions vs. Indianapolis Colts
The Lions vs. Colts game will be played on Sunday, November 24, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. ET (11:00 a.m. PT). The game will air on Fox and stream on Fubo and the platforms featured below.
How and when to watch the Detroit Lions vs. Indianapolis Colts game without cable
You can watch this week’s NFL game on Fox via several streaming services. All you need is an internet connection and one of the top options outlined below.
Experience NFL action like never before with Fubo’s comprehensive sports streaming platform. From Sunday showdowns to primetime matchups, catch every NFL game across major networks including CBS, Fox, NBC, ABC, ESPN and NFL Network. Choose the Pro package to unlock 200+ channels and limitless DVR storage, or elevate your game-day experience with the Elite with Sports Plus package, featuring NFL RedZone’s commercial-free scoring highlights and stunning 4K quality.
Test drive the service with a no-commitment seven-day free trial, and share the excitement with family and friends — Fubo supports simultaneous streaming on up to 10 devices, so everyone can watch their favorite teams.
You can watch today’s game with a subscription to Sling’s Orange + Blue tier, which includes ESPN, ABC, NBC, and Fox. The plan offers 46 channels with local NFL games, nationally broadcast games, and 50 hours of DVR storage. For complete NFL coverage, add Paramount+ to get CBS games, or upgrade with the Sports Extra add-on for additional sports channels like Golf Channel, NBA TV and NFL RedZone.
Watching NFL games, including Fox broadcasts, is simple with Hulu + Live TV, which includes 90 channels, unlimited DVR storage, and access to NFL preseason games, live regular season games and studio shows. The service includes ESPN+ and Disney+ in the subscription.
Want to watch today’s game live on your smartphone? If so, NFL+ streaming service is the solution you’re looking for. It lets you watch NFL Network and out-of-market games on mobile devices, with an upgrade option to NFL+ Premium that includes NFL RedZone for watching up to eight games simultaneously. Note that NFL+ only works on phones and tablets, not TVs.