So too does the choice to use Adam’s therapy sessions as a way to break the fourth wall and further draw audiences into his life. We never meet Adam’s psychiatrist and they never say a thing: instead, Adam talks directly to the camera, turning the film’s audience into his own personal head-shrinker, investing us in all the ups and downs that come with his illness. And the film does a fine job of driving home that point, that this is an illness, that mental health is just as worthy and real as physical health, even as Adam keenly understands that most people don’t see it that way. That’s why he does his best to mask it, attempting new medication after new medication, even as he proves to be stubbornly “treatment resistant.” Despite heavy subject matter, Adam is hilarious and infinitely lovable, and the ending is hopeful and realistic rather than happily-ever-after and contrived.”—The Hub, YALSA Now, this was probably one of the worst portrayals of schizophrenia I've ever come across. It's portrayed almost as a fun personality quirk. Adam's only symptoms are hallucinations. Other than that, Adam shows no signs of psychosis. Schizophrenia is not a goddamn acid trip. It's not about having imaginary friends. It's about a wide range of disturbing and debilitating symptoms. Delusions, flat affect, disorganized thinking and speech, loss of motivation and ability to feel pleasure. Adam suffers of none of these. He is on a trial for a drug that is apparently being tested for "difficult cases", so with hardly any clinical signs of schizophrenia, how exactly is Adam's case difficult? It can sometimes feel, when we see films like this, that there is a love interest for good intentions. Meaning, they are meant to show that being diagnosed with this or that doesn’t mean you’ll be alone, are unlovable, and often the girl who alleviates the situation is thinly written. That isn’t the case for Maya. Basically, the novel portrays the ugly side of his mental illness. In that, Adam describes the searing intensity of other people’s hatred for him, their fear of such a kid patient, and the weight of expectations to behave well. But, Adam tells us that’s not how his brain works, there’s no switch that he can flip to reality or live with the hallucinations.

It reminds me of Made You Up by Francesca Zappia which is up to now still in my top five favorite YA contemporaries and which portrayed a teenage girl’s schizophrenic mind. I’m very glad to finally have the perspective of a male character on the same issue. Words on the Bathroom Walls has now a spot in that same list too. The Chainsmokers & Andrew Hollander Scoring Thor Freudenthal's Words on Bathroom Walls". FilmMusicReporter. June 24, 2020 . Retrieved June 24, 2020. Creates a psychologically tense story with sympathetic characters while dispelling myths about a much-feared condition.”— Publishers Weekly, starred review

This is a mental health novel (which are honestly my favorite books) following a teenage boy coping with his diagnosis of schizophrenia as he starts a new school. He begins to make connections with the new people at school, but fears of them learning of his schizophrenia. Every story, to be defined as “good”, should make you feel something; if it's a great story, there is a big chance that is gonna tear you apart. I empathize with him deeply and I wish there was anything I could do to make him feel better. I’m just glad the brilliantly perceptive Maya who I adore so much (and who is a Filipino so yay!) is always there to provide interesting distraction and I’m very happy that Adam has the right people (amazingly supportive parents and the sweetest geeky best friend) in his life who accept and love everything about him. a b Lodge, Guy (August 20, 2020). " 'Words on Bathroom Walls' Review: Charlie Plummer and Taylor Russell Illuminate a Thoughtful Teen Movie". Variety . Retrieved November 26, 2023.

I also have to say how much I appreciate Adam’s head on approach in coping with his mental condition. Will the Wilmington film rebound continue in 2019?". Winston-Salem Journal. January 6, 2019 . Retrieved August 25, 2020.i also liked how the situation with todd (adam’s childhood best friend) was incorporated because it shows how much stigma is attached to people who have schizophrenia & how anyone who has it is automatically deemed “violent” or a risk to themselves & everyone around them which is not true. (i want to clarify i didn’t enjoy reading that event, but i appreciated the perspective because it reflects real life judgements)

i loved the fact that this whole book followed adam’s journey, all his ups & downs, good, bad & ugly, because although this was a work of fiction, julia walton really strived to represent what life was really like for a teenager who has schizophrenia. For years now, Adam has wished his original diagnosis of just having vision problems was what’s wrong, and not having three rather friendly voices/odd people in his life, and one which sounds like the voice of anxiety and depression. Yet, thanks to the sound of chopping food, frying, and the aroma of cooking, he found a way to drown everything out. But as the stress of life increases, so does the difficulty of managing his condition, especially when he feels like he isn’t getting the support he wants or needs. Rebecca (AnnaSophia Robb)Though it might be the Bodyguard who causes the most laughs. Primarily since, anytime Adam is prepping to hear something he may not like, the Bodyguard is always ready to hit someone with a bat. Making it a bit of a running gag as the film goes on. Getting Beth’s Side of Things Anastasia: What kind of research did you have to do while writing? Did you speak with people who have schizophrenia? This book really made me think. I realized how even our best intentions get outweighed by our inner fears and prejudices, no matter how hard we try. I also never thought about how a person living with an illness might feel if someone with the same illness does something wrong; in this case, Adam's feelings and those around him after the shooting in Sandy Hook, since the shooter was schizophrenic. What a powerful scene, one which really opened my eyes. Can a 17-year-old with her first girlfriend prevent real-life folks from discovering her online fandoms? If the above doesn’t make all you nerds fall in love with Adam, you’re probably wasting your time here.

This is the second review you’ll read from me where I don’t know how to write it, but unlike my previous one (where I loved the book) the reasons for me not knowing how to write this are entirely different. I got approved for this eARC via NetGalley and finally read it. Words On Bathroom Walls was a book I didn’t enjoy from pretty much the get-go. I even considered DNFing it multiple times but finished reading it in the end. Johnson, G. Allen (November 4, 2020). "Review: Young talent carries 'Words on Bathroom Walls,' though much is left unsaid". San Francisco Chronicle . Retrieved November 26, 2023.

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