Psychosis and Violence

How the Mental Health System is Failing Us

Chelsea Pyper

Aaron Alexis

• http://www.nbcnews.com/video/nightly-news/53080265#53717087

The Issues The Mental Health system in this country is fragmented, says experts.

There are under served populations with too little funding, too little access, and not enough public support.

The system has been falling a part for decades

Protocols and treatment are not designed for long term psychosis

There is no follow up, case management, or advocacy for individuals with severe psychosis

Gus Deeds

The “downward” spiral

Services

Majority says Not Enough

In Coordination

Treatment Numbers

Like cancer, psychosis is not being caught in time

• 64% increase of reported depression between 2010 and 2013

• In 2013 only 14% of people suffering from mental health issues sought help

• In 2010 1/3 of Americans cut back on treatment or doctor visits

• 105 people commit suicide every day

• 373,000 Americans with severe mental health issues are not getting treatment due to sequestration cuts

Mental illnesses

• Drug dependence• Bipolar disorder• Borderline Personality

Disorder• Brief psychotic disorder• Schizophrenia • Grandiose Delusions• Impulse control disorder• Antisocial disorder• Paranoia

Keep in mind these conditions do not immediately present themselves. It develops over time , or the signs and symptoms become more obvious when the individual experiences a great deal of stress or indulges in drug and alcohol abuse.

Psychosis

A person with psychosis may feel:

• Like the passing of time goes slower or faster for them

• Their surroundings feel strange, confusing, or unreal

• They hear things no one else can• They cannot explain their ideas in

comprehensible ways• Does things that are indisputably bizarre

Indisputably bizarre things:

• Talking to one’s self as though someone else is talking

• Professing genuinely strange and untrue beliefs

• Not making any sense while talking (rambling)

CLEAR SIGNS OF PSYCHOSIS

Fundamental changes in appearance

Fundamental Changes in Appearance

Could this really be ONE person?

They become more isolated or withdrawn

Became withdrawn

Jared Loughner Avoided his parents

James Holmes Ordered friends to stay away from him

Adam Lanza Hid in his room for 3 months

Gus Deeds Noticeably withdrawn

Function Less; drop out of school

Adam Lanza James Holmes Jared Laughner

All of these men dropped out of college shortly before their psychotic

episode

Warning Signs

• Spoken threats of violence• Indications that they are preparing for

violence• Paranoid of other people• Acting on delusions or fantasies

Not everyone is the same. Signs and symptoms

develop in different ways

Who is Likely to Experience Psychosis

• Men• No health insurance• Male Entitlement

Syndrome• Anger management

issues• Substance abuse• Instable lifestyles

• Hereditary predisposition

• Present mental health disease diagnosis

• Traumatic life experiences

• Age• Sometimes women

Gun control vs. Mental health spending

Psychosis is treatable

Treatment

The ACA: Problem Solved?

Insurers can’t run away from mental health screenings, but can diagnosis and long term treatment?

One solution…

Possible Solutions

• Public education• Diagnostic services• Awareness• Increase follow-up• Increased funding– More beds– More outreach

Public Health Education

Provides awareness, prevents

stigmas/stereotypes

Not everyone get the message.

Funding?

Reaches populations,

prevents violence, expansion, better

statistics

FUNDING

SWOT analysis

Add Funding

• Congress• Stigmas• Lack of

awareness

• Educate• Treat• Reduce violence

• Where does the money come from? Other services

• Increase access• More beds• More long term

treatment

Strengths

Weaknesses

ThreatsOpportunities

Gun rights groups spent $8.8 million in lobbying this year. That money would be better spent promoting mental health legislation.

Re Cap

Who is most likely to have psychosis?

• Men, ages 20-30• Substance abuse• Current diagnosis• No insurance• Hereditary predisposition• Angry people• Refuses treatment

Signs and Symptoms• Delusions or hallucinations• Indisputably bizarre things• Fundamental changes in

appearance and personality• Isolation• Paranoia• Unable to function• Antisocial/personality

disorders

Resources• Works Cited• Arehart-Treichel, J. (2013, November 8). Antisocial Behavior Raises Violence Risk in Some Psychosis Patients. Retrieved from Psychiatric News:

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