English Translation of Main Headlines

Text of Connect Notebook [Q1] What are your impressions of the following illnesses? Please answer freely within the provided spaces. Bipolar disorder Epilepsy Schizophrenia Parkinson’s disease [Q2] Are you aware of the similarities shared by the illnesses above? If you selected yes, please answer freely regarding their similarities. Thank you for answering. Then let us take a look at the similarities of the 4 illnesses from the next page. Bipolar disorder, epilepsy, schizophrenia, Parkinson ’s disease and so on. What are the similarities of these illnesses? Hints regarding their similarities are hidden in the “Pen” you are holding now. Please connect the dots on the left with the Pen that says “Connect Pen” . You are now holding the Connect Pen. It uses an ink that conducts electricity, and lines drawn with this pen can be connected as electronic circuits. Try lighting up by connecting electronic circuits. This act of “connecting” is related with the similarities of th ese illnesses. The diseases mentioned in the questionnaire are all related wit h “cerebral nerves ”. Nerves run through the brain like electronic circuits. It is believed that disorders occur when these nerves are not linked correctly. Please connect the circuits representing cerebral nerves using the Connect Pen. The brain is an organ, as are the stomach and liver. We get sick when our stomach or liver isn ’t working well, and in the same way we fall ill or get diseases when our brain does no t function properly. It is believed that one of the causes of bipolar disorder, epilepsy, schizophrenia, and Parkinson ’s disease is due to problems with neurotransmission. What were the impressions about the illnesses you wrote in the beginning of the questionnaire? In a similar survey conducted beforehand, there were opinions such as “erratic emotional behavior (bipolar disorder) ” , “sudden seizures (epilepsy) ”, “difficult to interact (schizophrenia) ”, and “physical disability (Parkinson ’s disease) ” . Some other common responses were “difficult to understand ”, “frightening ”, and “dangerous” , which are examples of feelings of rejection that emerge due to lack of knowledge or understanding about these illnesses. People have heard of the names of these illnesses, but don ’t understand them well. They feel frightened because they don ’t understand. These conditions are illnesses of the brain, which is one of ou r organs. Our lack of understanding towards these illnesses may be the cause of misinterpretations and prejudice. Another similarity shared between these illnesses could be that people suffering from these conditions also suffer from how they are perceived by others. What do people suffering from cerebral nerve diseases such as bipolar disorder, epilepsy, schizophrenia, and Parkinson ’s disease do to make their lives better? Some aspects of these illnesses are explained mildly as an “emotional illness ”. While this considerate expression may be able to protect people suffering from these illnesses, it does not help others to understand the details as well ascauses of the illnesses. It is critical that we properly understand the cause is due to improper neurotransmission functions. Of course, simply knowing this will not resolve everything. However, to understand the cause apart from visible symptoms of the diseases will surely be the first step for avoiding misunderstandings as well as prejudice. This Pen and Notebook was created in order to visually express neurotransmission. Please try to remember your experience with “Connecting” by using this Pen and Notebook when talking about cerebral nerve diseases or communicating with patients. We sincerely hope your experiences will lead to the realization of a society with an understanding towards cerebral nerve diseases. Spreading the understanding of cerebral nerve diseases for realizing a society without prejudice.