Dr. Henry Paul, MD

Psychiatrist, Author and Educator

Tag Archives: mental disorders

THE FINAL SHOT – MENTAL ILLNESS

December 11th, 2015

A USA TODAY story out yesterday said, “At a time of heightened concern over police shootings, a new report estimates that people with mental illness are 16 times more likely than others to be killed by police.”

10411781_sWhy is this? The problem is a lack of treatment for those with mental illness, and I also think a lack of training of law enforcement to recognize it. Mental illness is still something that carries a stigma. People, in general, don’t want to talk about it. For years now, the main thing driving the conversation about mental health has been the mass shootings. People are arguing that mental illness is the reason behind the mass shootings.

Now, a new study out from the Virginia-based Treatment Advocacy Center is saying that about one-in-four fatal police encounters involve someone with mental illness. This study is moving beyond saying that not just those who decide to shoot others in a mass shooting have some mental illness, but that many victims of shooting by law enforcement may also have mental health issues that made them do something illegal that got them killed.

I agree, and this is why we need more dialogue and more solutions on how to help those with mental illness. There are over 8 million people in the United States who have a mental disorder that can alter their thinking and perception of the world around them. From paranoid syndromes to fear, loneliness and anger there are plenty of emotions, disturbances of judgement and other issues that are associated with mental illness that can cause a person to act out or sometimes simply not understand laws or social constructs. And, the disorders themselves ranging from bipolar disorder to schizophrenia to various personality and substance abuse disorders that increase vulnerability often go undiagnosed. For many, even if they are diagnosed, some just stop taking their medications and other forms of treatment.

So what’s the answer? Well, I think that Mayor de Blasio and #ThriveNYC is a start. I believe that having a dialogue and trying to develop programs that can help those suffering from mental illness is a good place to start. Look, people with mental illness are no more violent than others. A better understanding by all will help many to seek and get the help they need. America has to embrace this conversation before change can ever really take hold.

Join me on Facebook and let’s have a conversation about this. Ideas and change come from collaborative thinking and open discussion.

LINKS
“I Called the Police for Help, Not to Kill My Son”
Groups call on Congress to reform mental health system

DISCLAIMER
Information contained in this blog is intended for educational purposes only. It is not intended as medical or psychiatric advice for individual conditions or treatment and does not substitute for a medical or psychiatric examination. A psychiatrist must make a determination about any treatment or prescription. Dr. Paul does not assume any responsibility or risk for the use of any information contained within this blog.

MENTAL ILLNESS AND THE ADA

March 31st, 2015

mental illnessDid you know that Mental Illness is among the illnesses and disabilities covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act? Not many people know it. The United States government covers a lot under the ADA. It includes mental health disorders that fall within the guidelines of the ADA but it does not list specific mental illnesses.

Under the ADA, a person has a disability if they have a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, a record of such an impairment, or is regarded as having an impairment.

It is great that the ADA can cover mental illness, but the scary part is that you have to tell others that you have it. Telling your co-workers or your boss can be the hardest. There is no right or wrong answer about telling your boss or others that you have a mental disorder. Although, if suddenly you are unreliable, your work drops off, and you no longer are the team player you used to be, then your boss will notice.

The ADA protects you from being fired from your job or rejected for employment. It also provides accommodations at work. Again, this is helpful, but you have to be willing to reveal your diagnosis. It most likely will depend on the overall benefit to you at work. Some people with mental health impairments will have a disability under the ADA and some will not.

The World Health Organization predicts that by 2020, mental illness will be the second leading cause of disability worldwide, after heart disease. Right now major mental disorders cost the nation at least $193 billion annually in lost earnings alone, according to a new study funded by the National Institute of Mental Health, and the direct cost of depression to the United States in terms of lost time at work is estimated at 172 million days yearly.

Here is a list of the possible mental disorders that could fit under the ADA. Notice I said “could” because the decision is based on your symptoms and the effect they have on your ability to do your job.

I want to see a national dialog about mental health that helps employers to understand the importance of having an employee who is both physically and mentally well. In order for employees to benefit from the ADA they have to be willing to share their diagnosis. Sadly, it is still a reality in America today that people with mental illness are somehow labeled or looked upon differently. I am proud to say that we are making strides in this country to change those stereotypes. I only wish it could happen faster. Putting mental health problems on an equal footing with physical illnesses will, in the end, benefit all.

Click here to read one woman’s struggle to decide to reveal her Bipolar Disorder diagnosis.

Disclaimer
This blog is intended for educational purposes only. It is not intended as medical or psychiatric advice for individual conditions or treatment and does not substitute for a medical or psychiatric examination. A psychiatrist must make a determination about any treatment or prescription. Dr. Paul does not assume any responsibility or risk for the use of any information contained within this blog.