While Bibi takes the place of Bertha as the Mad Woman in the Attic in Lindner's version of Jane, it seems even more cruel than the treatment of Bertha. Schizophrenia is not a disease that one should be locked in an attic, west wing, or room for. It is a stigmatized, often misrepresented chronic disorder. According to the National Institute of Mental Health Schizophrenia is a "chronic and severe mental disorder that affects how a person thinks, feels, and behaves. People with schizophrenia may seem like they have lost touch with reality. Although schizophrenia is not as common as other mental disorders, the symptoms can be very disabling." Schizophrenia can have a number of symtoms that would be very difficult to be controlled without the constant support of a nurse, or a medical doctor that specializes in the field. Some of the symtoms include hallucinations, including multiple personality disorder, delusions,  and thought disorder (symtoms could be difficulty speaking in the correct order, mumbling, losing focus in speech, and their patterns of speech being different from day to day, or even sentence to sentence.). Schizophrenia also has serious implications for the body as it includes movement disorders as well, similar to symtoms in Parkinson's Disease and Multiple Sclerosis.

Something to take note of with Bibi's diagnosis is that Schizophrenia usually is diagnosed between the ages of 16-30, so it is very much a 'young person' disease, at least when symtoms begin. While it is good that Nico has someone taking care of Bibi, she would be much better off with medical professionals, counceling, and at least weekly attendance at a mental health facility where coping skills, counceling, and support are taught, not only to the diagnosed person, but their family as well. 

Something that also didn't click for me with Bibi's diagnosis is that there is no mention of Maddy being watched, or tested for signs of Schizophrenia, which is very common. (Not acutal blood tests, but speaking with medical professionals, or just weekly or monthly counceling session, often to track a child's development.) According to NIMH "Scientists have long known that schizophrenia runs in families." 

Depending on Bibi's age, age that she was diagnosed, and the age that she began treatment there is a real possibility that she shouldn't be locked in an attic. Many people diagnosed with the disease work jobs, have a family, and develop coping skills to lead reasonably normal lives. In a 2015, article The Atlantic reported that 15-20% of adult Americans work full time with Schizophrenia. "But as many as 70% are able and would prefer to work." While it is definetely a challenge finding a job and creating a schedule for people with Schizophrenia to follow, it is possible and in 2019, there are countles studies that are taking place in the United States that help place in part or full time work. 

While I understand that Bibi is used as a plot device to mirror Bronte's Bertha, I believe that is simply promotes even more stigma toward those with mental health problems. While Schozophrenia is certainly a difficult disease to live with and understand, someone with Nico's financial freedom and resources should provide much better care for Bibi in this day and age. 

Hengeveld, Maria. “Job Hunting With Schizophrenia.” The Atlantic, Atlantic Media Company, 6 Aug. 2015, www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2015/07/job-hunting-with-schizophre....

“Schizophrenia.” National Institute of Mental Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2016, www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/schizophrenia/index.shtml.