Anosognosia, also called lack of insight, is a biological condition that prevents some people with severe mental illness (SMI) from knowing that they are experiencing symptoms of a brain disorder. Anosognosia is thought to be the most common reason for not seeking or maintaining treatment for people with severe mental illness.

In the first episode of SMI Spotlight, TAC's executive director Lisa Dailey discusses anosognosia with Dr. Xavier Amador. The interview covers Dr. Amador's journey supporting his brother with schizophrenia, studying anosognosia as a clinical psychologist, and developing the LEAP method to help connect with people and encourage them to seek treatment even if they don't believe they have a mental illness.

Dr. Xavier Amador is an internationally renowned clinical psychologist and leading expert on anosognosia. As TAC’s Scientific Officer, Amador brings decades of clinical research, worldwide speaking tours, and extensive work in schizophrenia, bipolar, and other disorders to audiences through written blog posts, podcasts, and social media. Amador is the founder of the LEAP Institute, CEO of the Henry Amador Center on Anosognosia, author of many popular books on topics related to SMI, and has previously served as faculty at Columbia University and other institutions. Dr. Amador is passionate about making information about SMI easier to understand and widely available.

As TAC's Executive Director, Lisa Dailey leads an energetic team dedicated to improving the lives of families affected by severe mental illness with a focus on only this population through the lenses of advocacy, research, public education, and movement-building. Dailey brings many years of nonprofit policy and advocacy experience as well as a diverse background as an attorney that includes trial work, representation of asylum-seekers, and legal scholarship in the area of human rights and civil liberties. Dailey read for a master’s degree in international human rights from the University of Oxford after earning a juris doctor from Hamline Mitchell School of Law and bachelor’s degrees in psychology and English from Macalester College. Video Chapters: 00:00-Introduction 01:07-Dr Amador's Connection to Severe Mental Illness 04:28-Connecting Anosognosia with SMI 06:22-Difficulty with Mental Health Professionals' Acceptance of Anosognosia 08:30-The Impact of Thinking of Anosognosia as Denial 11:32-Don't try to talk someone out of a delusion 12:24-Is Anosognosia like a light switch? 13:20-Why Dr Amador's Brother Took Medications Despite Having Anosognosia 14:08-The Importance of Listening (The L in LEAP) 16:08-What is LEAP? 19:10-Respectfully Disagreeing with Delusions 21:13-How Dr Amador met Dr E. Fuller Torrey (Founder of TAC) 23:57-How a focus on Anosognosia aligns with TAC's Mission 25:19-The Value of Focusing on the Relationship 26:20-What Advice can be hard to find? 28:20-Recent Developments in SMI Treatment 29:57-Why Focus on Helping People with Anosognosia? 32:36-What Topics does Dr Amador want to Cover? 35:18-The gaps in Available SMI Information 36:44-The Importance of Understanding the Science Behind SMI 38:31-Voluntary Treatment vs Waiting for rock Bottom 41:36-The need for Connection 43:28-The Difference that Families make 45:50-Contact us!