Serious Psychiatric Disorders Among Young Adults
http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2011-01-11/serious-psychiatric-disorders-among-young-adults
President Obama is traveling to Tucson tomorrow to attend a memorial service for the victims of Saturday’s shooting. As more details about the deadly rampage come out, investigators are looking at the mental state of the twenty-two year old alleged gunman. Jared Lougher was suspended from his community college after erratic behavior in class and strange web postings. The National Institute of Mental Health reports six percent of Americans over the age of eighteen have a serious psychiatric illness. A look at the challenges of identifying young adults with mental disorders and why so many don’t get treatment.
Guests
Pete Earley
father of an adult son diagnosed BiPolar Disorder, author of "Crazy: A Father's Search Through America's Mental Health Madness", former Washington Post reporter and author of several others books including "The Hot House"
Dr. Kenneth Duckworth
the medical director for NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, an Assistant Professor at Harvard University Medical School, a board member of the American Association of Community Psychiatrists, and Medical Director of the Vinfen Corporation in Boston.
Dr. Lisa Dixon
Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Maryland School of Medicine and director Of the Division of Services Research within the department of psychiatry.
Dr. E. Fuller Torrey
president of the Treatment Advocacy Center
Comments
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I agree that we shouldn't make assumptions, but unfortunately it is blatently clear that this young man is somewhere on the schiozphrenic-bi-polar spectrum. My son has never been 'officially' diagnosed because he severely lacks insight. However he is definitely on the spectrum, and my husband and I have been educating ourselves for 10+ yrs, via NAMI, etc.
Now I'm jumping ahead here, but I feel this needs to be said. The death penalty should NOT be what we are seeking for this unfortunate young man. Isn't it ironic that the same vitriolic political rhetoric that most probably caused this tragedy, is what is now spewing from the mouths of those who would slay him. It is ivident that this young man suffers from a mental illness, which was tragically fueled by the media 'run amuk' talk shows, and the ultra conservative political right. Now they want to slaughter what they have created. It is the hatred and ignorance of the "Tea Party", etc. that should be put to death. This young man needs to receive therapy, re-education, and compassion.
Thank you for thoughtfully addressing the issue of mental health and the stigma and pain adults suffering from this illness face. Dealing with solutions for supporting individuals suffering from this disease, sadly, remains an uphill battle despite some isolated successes.
Come on people, all criminals have a mental disorder.
To label the Murder and Attempted Assassination as a cause for metal disorder is a disservice to all.
The Political Right has stated repeatedly they have to so call take back the Country and labeled those that don't Look, Act like or Serve the Elite as Un-American.
The causality is not about mental disorder, its about a viral, divisive and selfish point of view propagated by the corporate media in concert with the proclaimed Political Right to revive the Articles of Confederacy.
A point of view that will stop at nothing, to achieve its stated goal of taking back the country and thus oppress/suppress the so called Non-Americans.
I urge parents that even if they have the slightest inkling that their young adult has a mental issue to obtain a medical power of attorney for their child. If something goes wrong you are able to help your child and be informed about what is going on. If you don't the HIPPA laws prohibit health professionals to speak with you. When your child has a psychotic break they are in no position to make decisions for themselves.
I was encouraged that at least one caller at the end of the show was someone who is diagnosed with a mental illness. The persons selected to speak on the tragedy on today's NPR show have a decidedly anti-consumer/client bias.
Dr. Torrey and his TAC organization are best known for their mission of locking up clients in jails or forcing medications on them.
Medications are not the best treatment for all.
Also, what about the gun control aspect of the tragedy and how it inter-relates to those with Mental Illnesses? In North Carolina most people with a history of mental illness are barred from buying weapons, at least at local gun stores.
The gun used in Tucson was an assault weapon that would have been illegal under former gun laws that were allowed to expire. Arizona has among the most permissive gun ownership and use laws in the nation. How did this contribute to the alleged gunman getting the assault weapon?
As the granddaughter of a woman with severe schizophrenia and the sister of a young man (28) who is demonstrating disturbing signs of emotional health, I have a few comments. First, my grandmother has been involuntarily hospitalized for the past several months and has had to move locations because nurses were failing to ensure she take her medicine. This is in Connecticut and the doctors have said that they can't guarantee she be treated (ie. take her pills). This seems to be an example of one of the failures of not only our system, but our cultural understanding of how to treat someone with this condition.
In terms of my brother, the labels (schizophrenia, depression, bipolar, personality disorder, etc) give an impression of something definitive but the symptoms vary from day to day. Sometimes, he's incredibly sweet. Other times, he's surprisingly isolated and works to distance himself from us (through comments or behaviors). The point is that labels don't indicate the reality of what an emotional condition might look like, thus reflecting our collective misunderstanding.
Unfortunately, the tragedy that occurred in Arizona will now lead much of the public to see people with mental illness in a similar light as Muslims were in the wake of 911. The sweeping generalization that all Muslims are terrorists, are dangerous, should be feared and denied basic rights will now be applied to people with mental illness.
I hope that the sentiment of the final comment Mr. Early made in this broadcast about public figures with mental illness and the misconception for the propensity to violence among the mentally is given a loud enough voice to balance these misconceptions. We know that people with mental illness can become violent, but I believe that it is important to look at the facts before reaching extreme conclusions. The statement made in this broadcast that mental illness should not be seen as a matter of shame, but rather that disregard for promoting access to treatment is, is of critical importance in order that problems regarding access to treatment are not compounded.
Thank you Martha. This perspective (yours) is severely lacking, as NAMI mobilizes its membership to post online and mindlessly blather about "stigma." No one knows more about mental illness and stigma than those who are directly or indirectly in drug-free recovery.
Arguments against stigma are arguments for drugs, and in many cases mandatory drugging.
This is a classic case of government sanctioned "mind control" (http://www.trance-formation.com/ for more info). He was merely "triggered" to follow through with a "pre-programmed" action, most likely by the SarahPAC poster (viewable here http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_leoGYAeiH44/TSjKXBCy7ZI/AAAAAAAAMVE/-SrO6nh3c2...).
We really need to start investigating our "elected" officials and make sure that this stops happening.
great show just great
Hi, My name is Liesl. I''m from Upstate NY. I have a degree in Recreation Management from SUNY Brockport. I have been involved in the mental health system for over the last 25 years. I would like to make a comment on a point one of your panelists stated on your Jan. 11, 2011 show concerning serious psychiatric disorders among young adults. The gentleman stated that persons who receive disability benefits from the government should be required to give back to society.
I agree that working to an individual's greatest potential is very beneficial for a person with a mental health illness. It gives them an incentive and purpose to live. However, the way the national Social Security Disability system is set up there is more of a disincentive to work than an incentive. It keeps people in a learned helplessness state. Instead of allowing people to work at their greatest capacity which varies upon the individual, they are given the choice of either:
1) working "2 hrs per day" as quoted by a member of your panel, at a menial job.
2) trying to work at a position of their ability for 9 months before being taken off disability completely.
In doing this, the individual runs the risk of having a relapse in illness and losing all insurance and disability.
Else not be able to support one's self working at their fullest capacity yet being cut off of all support because they have worked.
Or finally, 3) the person can sit back and do nothing in way of gainful employment.
great show just great
great show just great
I believe that every person has the right and duty to be a productive member of society. However, the definition of "productive member of society" is very individualistic. Some members are able to work part time in work shops, others are good at being liaisons between consumers and providers and society or to help individuals just entering into the system. Many people with disabilities such as mental illness can be productive in a volunteer roll of their choice. But remember, even those individuals who are unable to contribute actively themselves are productive members of society for they enable others the opportunity to give and help which is as beneficial to the giver as it is to the receiver. ;->
It's unfortunate that it's believed that the help available to people living with a Mental Illness is right out there, waiting to be used. It is so misleading. I work in Public Health and am myself diagnosed with Bipolar disorder, so I have seen the mental health treatment availiable from both the consumer and provider side. For someone who is in suffering and in need of services, they are offered hoop after hoop to jump through, lengthy application processes, inappropriately long waits for even an evaluation, meds that are unaffordable. I have been hospitalized inpatient 7 times before my illness has stabilized and even with private insurance, I had a 6 week wait until I could see a psychiatrist outpatient.
These realities are often far beyond what a person in crisis can handle. I don't think we are even close to a workable stop-gap, let alone a solution.
I empathize with the parents who see that their teens and young adults are struggling, but don't know how to get them help. It seems to me that unless you work in the system (mental health and residential treatment) you are at a major disadvantage. It's hard to find a place, a program, or a plan that will help your loved one.
As one who has worked in residential treatment for young people for many years, my suggestion is that you hit the books, ask questions, but above all talk to your loved ones! Help them find professionals that they can trust and with whom you and your loved one can build a relationship with.
Such nuance is anathema to the preferred generalization in the hysteria of the moment. They should have bracketed people like this shooter for purposes of this discussion. They should have specified which population (violent) they were talking about. To lump him in with that guest's son, even, - not sure that was called for or appropriate. No talk on people in mental distress not necessarily being violent. No questioning of the allegation that untreated "mental illness" leads to violence. Psychiatry is NOT like medicine. It is much more inexact. So-called mental illness is NOT the equivalent of having diabetes. There is NO WAY to test for it.
The medical model was not questioned, and it should have been.
Jared Loughner not receiving care for his evident severe, worsening mental illness- was this a crime??
Jared Loughner plainly was a person suffering from worsening and apparently untreated schizophrenia...
If the U.S. had a more equitable health system, Mr Loughner's medical needs would have been attended to- proactively- by state-funded mental health services before he acted on his delusional thinking...
Being psychotic or mentally ill is not a crime in civilized, secular* nations...
But when someone who is psychotic/suffering from a worsening mental illness- and who has been perceived as exhibiting violent psychotic, delusional thinking/ dangerously mentally ill by many other non-mentally ill persons- acts out in ways that cause severe loss to society:
who are the criminals- those that did not make sure that state funding was approved to provide community monitoring, support and treatment services for the severely mentally ill or the severely mentally ill person who acts out as a consequence of not receiving support/care???
____________________
Mr. Roderick V. Louis,
Vancouver, B.C. Canada
* IE: non Islamic countries...
It is unfortunate that after a tragedy like this, many start blaming talk radio and bad gun laws, instead of helping (and voting) to create decent mental healthcare that is accessible and easy to navigate.
I had gone through a nasty divorce, was a single mom, work was starting to downsize and I became incredibly depressed. I would pretend to go to work, then sneak back home after dropping my son off at school and sleep all day.
I got so bad that I went to the local state run mental health center. They assessed my situation and then told me I was rock bottom and needed help right now....but, they were short funding and it would be at least six weeks before anyone could see me.
What do you do after that?
I am so sorry silent city. I probably should not sit here and suggest things, but on the other hand, not doing so seems equally if not more silly.
Have you reached out to all available resources, especially churches? They often have counseling, and maybe someone there can fast track you in somewhere.
Six weeks during an emotional crisis is unconscionable, it seems. Just try to take it one small step at a time. Maybe write out one or two goals per day. That's it. But try the church or synagogue if you can.
RESOURCE MATERIALS REGARDING MENTAL ILLNESS AMONG UNIVERSITY & COLLEGE STUDENTS AND STRATEGIES TO DEAL WITH THIS, FYI:
1) "The mental health of students in higher education", 01-2003:
http://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/files/pdfversion/cr112.pdf -
Page 54: "Principles of good practice in student mental health
- "Given that students are most likely to seek help from those with whom they have most frequent contact, all HEI staff need to take some responsibility for student mental health.
"There is a need for training to raise general levels of mental health awareness among staff and students, so they can recognise signs of psychological disturbance and know when and where to refer for specialist help."
Page 54/55 Recommendations:
- "The establishment of community mental health teams (CMHTs) with special remit for those aged 16–25 years, staffed with particular responsibility for developing an understanding of student issues; or appointment of staff to generic CMHTs who have knowledge and expertise in relation to the mental health needs of students.
- "An expansion of in-patient units for young people, and an extension of the upper age limit for adolescent units, so that students have access to appropriate in-patient facilities when these are required.
2) "Student Mental Health Planning, Guidance and Training Manual.":
http://www.studentmentalhealth.org.uk/index.htm
3) "U., SLCC have teams ready to help troubled students",:
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705364289/U-SLCC-have-teams-ready-to-...
4) "Students With Symptoms Of Mental Illness Often Don't Seek Help", 25_06-2007:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/06/070624141841.htm
5) "One in four students suffer mental illness, psychiatrists say", 16_10-2003:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2003/oct/16/studenthealth.students
RESOURCE MATERIALS REGARDING MENTAL ILLNESS AMONG UNIVERSITY & COLLEGE STUDENTS AND STRATEGIES TO DEAL WITH THIS, FYI:
CONTINUED
6) "Why Do College Students Shun Help for MH Problems?":
http://www.pn.psychiatryonline.org/content/44/1/4.1.full?sid=65d37196-61...
7) "Mental Health of College Students and Their Non–College-Attending Peers", 2008 :
http://archpsyc.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/full/65/12/1429
8) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19178949
Roderick V. Louis
Vancouver, BC, Canada
It is very difficult to diagnose schizophrenia in the early stages. It can often look like normal teenage problems..running away, developing strong opinions, refusing to cooperate,etc It can escalate faster than a parent can keep up with. As far as treatment, you need money to get good treatment. You also need time to chase after them when you think things are going awry. His parents have probably been through hell prior to this terrible tragedy just trying to figure out what was going on with their only son. I feel very sad for the Loughners.I wish the press would stop acting like they are the cause of their sons problems. This has got to be one of the toughest parenting jobs around.Onlookers can be glad they have garden variety parenting problems to contend with and say their prayers for the Loughners.
I would hope that none of those posting comments to this site about the need for services for the mentally ill or otherwise critisizing the failure of our health care system to intervene hold Tea Party affiliations. If I recall, it is this group who only weeks ago at polling booths across our country and who on an ongoing basis call for the repeal of health care reform that will provide accessible, affordable health care to so many who are in such dire need.
I just want to say thank you, Diane, for addressing this topic on your show. My brother is mentally ill and was diagnosed with bipolar and schitzoeffective disorder over ten years ago. I find that most people, through no fault of their own, simply do not understand mental illness - what it is, how you "get" it, the difficulties in treating the mentally ill, and the effects on the family of the mentally ill. In this country, we desperately need to reform the laws, policies, and programs relating to the evaluation and treatment of the mentally ill.
We no longer have designated insane assylums. They were shut down and care was supposed to occur locally in the community. Instead, our prison system has become a receptical for the mentally ill. I hope you will consider doing a show about the role prisons now play in the diagnosis, treatment, and instituionalization of the mentally ill.
Dear Diane, guests and commenters,
Thank You! You have all said so much that is true - about the system ("Crazy" is a truly remarkable book, Pete, and our sons' experiences have many parallels, including hope for recovery), about NAMI and its Family-to-Family Educational Program, about the need for early and preventive treatment, and about how ignoring symptoms can be devastating. There's no need to repeat what you have all so eloquently said.
I work with an NPR affiliate in Connecticut, as a free-lance classical music host and newsperson on WSHU, and am also the author of a memoir about my family's experience with schizophrenia in my son - with guideposts for help. "Ben Behind His Voices" will be published in August by Rowman and Littlefield, and the hope is that it will bring to light the pain that families go through, the frustrations in the system, and also how important love is in the recovery process (along with the harsh reality that you can't "fix" your child without treatment).
If we all work to reduce stigma and increase understanding, perhaps these tragedies can happen less and less often - and, eventually, never. Lofty but noble goal. It begins with understanding - and a realistic look at how little attention this nation pays to its mentally ill.
Many with mental illness lead productive, loving lives. The ones who do not get most of the press, unfortunately. Let's get real. My heart goes out to you all.