Tassnim realises her mom's schizo

Double trouble: Alzheimer's and schizophrenia

That's when it struck me that along with Alzheimer, also has schizophrenia." After reaching home, Tassnim immediately called up her family doctor and told him about the blabbering and incoherent dialogues her mother would have all the time.

"I thought that mumbling and talking about incidents that never happened was a condition my mom had developed due to Alzheimer. She would make gestures in the air, and keep talking non-stop to herself, when asked she wouldn't be able to respond in a logical manner."

Reel to real life

She adds that Konkona's reaction and behaviour in the movie opened up her eyes to what was happening in her house. "I felt like I was Shabana Azmi, while my mom was Konkona. As soon as I returned home and looked at my mom, I knew she was schizophrenic. I even told my dad to take extra care of her in my absence."

Until now, Tassnim's family has been treating her mom with homeopathic remedies. "My mom has an allergy to allopathy, so we have been careful in her diagnosis and treatment."

She applauds the film and has asked everyone to go watch it. "If I hadn't seen 15 Park Avenue, maybe I would have thought that my mom's condition is normal and that she probably is suffering from hallucinations.
Now I spend more time with her, and if she talks about any imaginary situation, I make it a point to hear her out."

Empathise with the sufferer

The actress is disheartened that there isn't any permanent cure for both the ailments. "Alzheimer and schizophrenia is a deadly combination for anyone to suffer. I think those individuals who have anyone suffering from this condition should go watch 15 Park Avenue. It not only gives you a different perspective, but makes you empathise more than sympathise with the patient."