Mental illness IS a medical illness.
Mental illness has a course, prognosis, and mortality rate, like any other medical illness--in most cases, around 20-30%. Which means, 2-3 of every 10 people diagnosed with many mental illnesses will die from those illnesses, either directly or indirectly.
Mental illness cannot be cured by an "a-ha moment," will power, life experience, or a good boyfriend/girlfriend. Ever. Ever, ever, ever.
Really.
Mental illness is cured (or, more often, managed) by combinations of medication, therapy, social skills training, social supports, and environmental structure.
As a rule, people experiencing an acute episode of mental illness are not candidates for romantic relationships. They do not feel sexy. They feel pretty sick and miserable. They are not likely to be interested in real romance (sex is a different story, depending on the diagnosis).
People with chronic mental illness certainly do have relationships, but this is a difficult issue for both the patient and the partner, and can't be glossed over or minimized. It will dominate the tableau.
Most people with mental illness are not criminals, and many are not capable of organizing behaviour and thought enough to form criminal intent. Newsflash: The "Multiple" didn't do it.
Axis II disorders, or personality disorders, distort personality and thinking, but do not excuse people from criminal responsibility.
Reference: fangs-fur-fey
Susan R. Vaught, Ph.D.
Excerpt from: "Mental Illness and Brain Injury: a basic resource for writers."
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Pithoi displayed at the Ophel Site. Photo: Israel Antiquities Authority.
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Mental illness IS a medical illness.
Mental illness has a course, prognosis, and mortality rate, like any other medical illness--in most cases, around 20-30%. Which means, 2-3 of every 10 people diagnosed with many mental illnesses will die from those illnesses, either directly or indirectly.
Mental illness cannot be cured by an "a-ha moment," will power, life experience, or a good boyfriend/girlfriend. Ever. Ever, ever, ever.
Really.
Mental illness is cured (or, more often, managed) by combinations of medication, therapy, social skills training, social supports, and environmental structure.
As a rule, people experiencing an acute episode of mental illness are not candidates for romantic relationships. They do not feel sexy. They feel pretty sick and miserable. They are not likely to be interested in real romance (sex is a different story, depending on the diagnosis).
People with chronic mental illness certainly do have relationships, but this is a difficult issue for both the patient and the partner, and can't be glossed over or minimized. It will dominate the tableau.
Most people with mental illness are not criminals, and many are not capable of organizing behaviour and thought enough to form criminal intent. Newsflash: The "Multiple" didn't do it.
Axis II disorders, or personality disorders, distort personality and thinking, but do not excuse people from criminal responsibility.
Reference: fangs-fur-fey
Susan R. Vaught, Ph.D.
Excerpt from: "Mental Illness and Brain Injury: a basic resource for writers."
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