What Schizophrenia Actually Looks Like | Michelle Hammer

In this episode of Snackable Mental Health, Brandon sits down with Michelle Hammer, a mental health advocate from New York City and the founder of the clothing line Schizophrenic NYC.

Michelle opens up about what living with schizophrenia is really like, from the delusions and hallucinations she experienced in high school to the way she learned to manage her symptoms through medication, public speaking, and sharing honest videos of her experiences online. She talks about why she started her own business after traditional work became impossible, how public support helped her reframe her diagnosis as a “superpower,” and what she’d tell her 22 year old self.

It’s an open, funny, and genuinely useful conversation about self-stigma, family, and not letting a diagnosis stand in the way of your dreams.

In this conversation:
• What schizophrenia actually looks like day to day
• Managing symptoms and finding the right treatment
• Self-stigma and why it holds so many people back
• Turning a diagnosis into a business and a mission
• The advice Michelle would give her younger self

Learn more about Michelle and Schizophrenic NYC: https://www.schizophrenic.nyc/

Michelle Hammer

Michelle Hammer is a well-known schizophrenia activist, mental health advocate, artist, and founder of the brand Schizophrenic.NYC, using her own experiences to challenge stigma and start conversations about mental health. Diagnosed with schizophrenia at age 22 after an earlier misdiagnosis, she turned her journey into purpose by creating a clothing line in 2015 that blends bold design with awareness-raising messaging. Michelle has been featured in the WebMD documentary Voices, which was nominated at the Tribeca X Festival, and her work has appeared in major outlets like Mashable and The Daily Mail, as well as on ABC, NBC, and CBS. Through videos, public speaking, and creative projects, she humanizes schizophrenia, educates audiences about living with the condition, and inspires others to look beyond stereotypes toward understanding and acceptance.