Ive posted a few things since getting on here yesterday, and have recieved alot of great feedback for my seemingly endless questions. Thanks everyone.
I wanted to know about symptoms of mental illness, or forms of mental illness associated with a single violent outburst. Are there triggers that anyone knows of that could cause someone to "snap"? My friend was the most gentle person, softspoken and laidback...
I just wondered if anyone had any expereinces with this type of behaviour from a typically nonviolent person?
Is there good treatment for both behavioural and chemical imbalance in prison? I hope there is, but that seems a little idealistic..

According to psychological theories, violence stems from anger and anger stems from frustartion. Combine that with coping skills, educational level and patterns of behavior learned during childhood and adolescent years and you got the blend that covers most violent behaviors. A trigger may be a related or unrelated uncontrollable event that allows all anger and frustrations to boil over resulting in violence. Hope this helps. If you are interested in more info go to any university library, look into the psychinfo database. You will find more literature than you can handle. Peace.

My husband is looking at 12 years in prison he has schizophrenia, and his charges are violent, but the thing was, he was paranoid, and freaked out, and totally undiagnosed. My husband was never violent, he got sick of the voices one morning, and tried to kill himself by overdosing on medication, and it just triggered in his head, and now he is in alot of trouble. I think that the world needs to be more aware of mental illnesses. My husband is sick, and now he is a criminal, cause of this illness he will always have.

Kyla

I have a question. Why was he undiagnosed? Did he or you notice delusions, psychotic episodes, expressing unusual emotions, disconnected. Usually schizophrenics have many symptoms that call for psychiatric attention. Were his symptoms not as pronounced? Violence is not a key feature of schizophrenia. Some display that behavior and some don't.
And now, is he on medication, is he taken care of? You say you have a lot of questions. I sound like a 3 year old. How about you? How are you coping with all this? Mental illness causing violence is a complex, interesting and neglected issue. In my opinion at least half of the violent offenders are suffering from some form of mental illness that mediated their criminal behavior. The state and federal judicial systems must take this into account when they deal with violence. We have a long way to go until this notion becomes a mitigating circumstance during sentencing and criminal prosecution.
How are you coping with this? I must say you must be a courageous person. This disorder is challenging. Peace

remiella
I noticed all you said in my husband. I begged mental health to assess him. They kept telling me he was ok, my husband is intelligent, and beat the system. He had 20 mins with a psych, who said go home you are fine. One day, I had enough. I am studying law, and I went and filed, what we call a justice examination order. I told the judge everything, how embaressing, and begged for this order to be put in place. The order stated, that the police pick him up, and take him to the mental health unit, where he has to stay for 72 hours and be properly assessed. I got this order through. He then turned himself over to mental health voluntary. (this stuffed up the order cause we were trying to make him a involuntary patient, that couldnt be released). The psych talked to my husband again for 30 mins this time, and sent him home, said he was depressed and to listen to relaxation music. His intake officer told him that the singer PINK wrote a song about suicide, so the thoughts he had were normal. (How dumb). My husband thought the CIA were after him, and he was microchipped, and everytime a helicoptor passed over, he would run around barricading doors, windows, etc, cause they were coming to get him. His best friend was a person named Liam, thing is, Liam didnt exist. He would try and get my to talk to Liam, how could I when there was no one there. Oh yeah, there were little people in the bathroom trying to get out of the drains to, they were sent from the US cause they had this big alien conpiracy going on. He said they released Anthrax and Sars to kill him. The Iraq war was to test his intelligence, and the CIA were coming any day to take him. But mental health refused to listen to me, until it was to late.
The day he commited the crimes, "people" were coming over to kill all of us. He barricaded us in the house, (deprivation of Liberty charge). Then the police arrived, and he freaked and took off from them avoiding arrest. There is alot more to it, my husband had overdosed on pills trying to kill himself before "they" did, and was in a total unframed mind. As the day eventuated, more charges came, mostly charges from a schizophrenic person running from fear, like operating a car dangerously, and nearly running over a officer. He was trying to get away. In 6 hours, he go 13 criminal charges. No on one was hurt.
I tried to get it in the mental health court here, and they refused, on the grounds that my husband had tried to overdose. They call it self induced to commit the crime. Even though he is schizophrenic, that doesnt matter in the courts. We can only hope for a compassionate sentencing. No one around here understand schizophrenia, they just look at my husband as some crazy person that was badly unkept cause of his fear of the bathroom.

Oh yeah, today, he is great, he is on risperdol, a high dose actually for a man they said there was nothing wrong with. He is doing very well, as long as he takes his medication. When he doesnt, he slips back. I make him take it, and he knows he has to. Its a horrible way to get help, but I am thankful that he has got some help. To look at him today, he is clean, he talks normal, not rapid and disfunctional, and he isnt scared. His quality of life has improved. He still has bad days, by that, I mean, he wont go outside, etc, but he is doing alot better.

Kyla,

It takes enormous strength to take care of a schizophrenic. I must say, your strength is admirable and to top it all, you are still compassionate towards the whole thing. Thank you for sharing. I am so glad he has gotten medication. Peace.

Thanks for your words of support Remiella. I look at him as just another person, I hate the stigma that surrounds mental illnesses, it has always been a passion of mine to change it. I was on the phone to the schizophrenia fellowship today, and they are lovely, understand and supportive. As I said, we wouldnt condemn a person with diabetes, but you mention mental illness, and people think the worse, and we have come so far with treatments, and we can only go further. It is really nice to have caring people like yourself that understand it.

Hi Kyla, I have been reading your posts with much interest. Yes of course you are right, there is so much stigma and misunderstanding concerning mental illness in the community. I empathise with you and your husband. You must love him very much.

I do not have a friend or family member confined to the mental health system but I am interested anyway. Here we are in the 21st century and there is still so much ignorance.

If you don't mind I will continue to follow your story with interest.

Grevillia

Grevillia

Well yes, it is a hard road living with a person with a mental illness, the stigma that surrounds it is absolutely ridicoulous. I have had so called people call Family Services and Animal Protection on me as a abuser,(beating the dog and kids) something which IS CERTAINLY something that I have never done. I am not a sociapath, but I have been labeled to because my husband has a mental illness,and I have stuck by him. The cruel stigma that surrounds it, it just labels to many people.( I do not have a mental illness, but show alot of compassion to people that do) I am a human being to, and I treat people with up most respect, and would do anything for anyone. My family is my first and my upmost priority, and it will always remain that way.
its great that you show interest, follow my story as much as need be, but it will always stay positive, as I dont condemn ANYBODY for anything that they do. Every kick back in life makes me a stronger and better person, and that, I am extremely greatful for. I am blessed to have a great family, and extremely good friends that totally understand and know the person that I am... inside of me.
Take care and have a good day.

I have spoke with Kyla and her husband at long lengths. Both of them have more courage and determination then I have ever seen.
I am a Psychologist and the things they have faced and the things they are going to face are astronomical. Living with some one with any kind of Mental Illness as Remillea said is very very hard. Kyla is raising two kids, taking care of the household things and also taking care of her husband and yet she does this all without complaining, she does it out of Love.

Not only has she faced the challenge of taking care of the family and sticking by her husband. She has also face the challenge of outsiders trying their best to make it as hard on her as they can. By making phone calls to agencies and telling lies to have them come out and cause even more trouble.

I honestly don't feel these people are doing this because of the stigma that comes with a Mental Illness, I believe they are doing it, because they are just plain mean spirited. But one day it will come around and bite them in the butt and I will be dancing with joy when that day comes.

It is sad to say, but people put so many labels on people for different things. So the family or person living with a Mental Illness not only lives with that, they with live with the labels that people put on them. They have enough to survive, without survivng the judgement of others, who have not right to judge.

In my job I only wish I could have half the familes involvement like Kyla is with her. It would make it so much easier not only for me, but for the client.

Kyla you are a wonderful strong person and I am so proud of you and your family.
And the days that are hard and unbearable you know where I am.
Remeber honey to take care of you.

Love and Hugs
softie

What a great thread. At one time in my life, I had people "attack" me, unreasonable absurd accusations, and could never make sense of it.
Later on, I realized that I probably came to the attention of my "neighbors" due to having been the victim of a violent crime (they probably read it in the paper, and figured it out even though no name was listed). Also I was a quiet person, who wasnt part of the small-town gossip circle. In the period directly following the crime, my children and I were accused of the most awful things. The lies that were told about us would take a real sick mind to even think up.
I had always looked for the best in people, and thought people were basically good, so I was absolutely in shock. Suddenly I had to hire a lawyer, and go to court, this went on for more than a year, and happened not once, but probably 3 different times, and also to my children, who never had a bit of trouble before, and are nice kids.
I came to realize that people can be very mean spirited and cruel, kinda like chickens who peck at the weaker ones until they die... I don't even know if THAT makes sense. It's senseless. In some way I can relate to the postings in this thread. I think you are both very courageous, and have new admiration for you.

Quote from
carmen22
I came to realize that people can be very mean spirited and cruel, kinda
like chickens who peck at the weaker ones until they die... I don't even know if THAT makes sense. It's senseless. In some way I can relate to the postings in this thread. I think you are both very courageous, and have new admiration for you.

carmen22

You are so right, people can be mean spirited and cruel, but I believe it just makes us all stronger at the end of the day.
Thing is, when they think they are making us weaker, they are making us stronger to face more of lifes challenges, that at the end of the day, they wouldnt be able to survive. Only the "weak" them..... can try and bring us on there level, and that is something they certainly will never do to me.
My husband is not violent, he is sick, a diabetic takes insulin, my husband is schizophrenic, and he takes risperdone, from a chemical inbalance in his brain.
YOU are courageous, cause what you have been through as well.
We get through it. We honestly do.

You are so right!!!

Hi Carmen

People's mean spirited behavior is mostly attributed to ignorance and misinformation. That we do not understand we tend to condone and ridicule. It is a defense mechanism. So the next time you encounter this kind of behavior let know the person/s that their behavior could improve if they put some effort into understanding. Ususally this puts people at check. Peace

i was wondering as i was reading all this, if he was Untreated on the outside, and was diagnosed inside, wouldnt that then be a new mitigating factor to go back to court with? Shouldnt they have considered his mental health in consodering if he could speak at trail??? I hope this makes sense to someone it is 3:30 am here...so i may just be having another night of sleepless rambling again..LOL
Nice idea tho huh?

My husband was in prison on remand, and hadnt been sentenced yet. Yes, the judge took mental illness issues into consideration on sentencing, as it showed reason why the crime was commited, and rehabilitation having treatment for it.

He had his sentence suspended, and wasnt put back in prison. If he takes his medications, and follows what his doctors say, he shouldnt go back, but if he breaks the law again, he goes back for this time that was suspended, plus any new time. I thought that was rather fair as well, and was pleased a judge showed compassion to mental illness.

Kyla, I have read with compassion all you and your family have faced and continue to face. I know it is not an easy path you are on but I also see your strength and commitment and know you will succeed where many might fail because of your ability to understand and fight for, not against this illness. Society has limitations because of a lack of knowledge of Mental illness. The stigma associated with MI goes unchecked because many with a diagnosis feel shame and do not have the support of loved ones to help them cope. I wonder if you have in your area a program called Family Ties, it is a program that offers support, education and referral sources as needed for families with a mental illness. Mental health clinics or hospitals with psychiatric units can direct you to a local program if you are interested. Good luck and you have my prayers.

I have been reading with great interest. My father is in prison but not for a violent crime. But i am Bipolar myself, and am on a support network and know plenty of other mentally ill ppl. I tell ppl that i have Bipolar, I take the chance of ppl looking at me funny. I feel that if i can help just one person get help for themselves, it was worth the funny looks and talk behind my back. So many ppl have a form of mental illness and wont get help for it. It is a disease, just like diabetes; u have to take your meds. I sometimes need to be gently reminded. Family support is so very important, when u have it it is a miracle. I know this from experience, not many get it- i am going thru a divorce because of it. Many with mental illness do. So every single one of the above please consider yourself part angel in my eyes, i know from experience how hard it is to live with someone who fights with you, turns on you, makes life impossible for you, and all the other things.....it isnt easy but in our sane state you are the greatest gift anyone has ever given us.
If you would like the link to the network i am on, pm me. I would be happy to let u know of it. They are wonderful ppl. They have a family site.
Meldan

Good morning, to everyone. I joined PTO a few months ago, when my son went to prison (he just turned 25 in there. He is bi-polar (manic depressive) and has ADHD. Many of you have experienced the highs and lows of this illness and know what it takes to be strong enough for everyone. I look back over the past 9 years (when my Mother passed away) and keep asking God why he constantly gives me such a large load to handle. My Mother passed away in 95, my husband got his jaw broken by a crazed lunatic who stalked us (as a result of one of my son's episodes) my Father had a quadruple heart by pass the same year and then had blood clots and we almost lost him, I had back surgery in '98, '99', 2000, became addicted to pain killers due to the back injury, trouble with marriage because of addiction, moved across country for health and fresh start, left son sitting in county jail after trouble with the law, another back surgery in 2002, son comes to AZ., gets in trouble with the law - in and out of county jail, quit job because of back injury - 5th surgery and 2nd revision on spinal column stimulator in Jan of 2004. Son sentenced to prison 2004. Son has been diagnosed bi-polar since age of 8. His Dad and I split then and he hasn't wanted anything to do with his son. My husband has no biological kids so the step parent role has been challenging for both of them.
As you can see, I have had some very major events happen in my life, but I keep on loving and giving and supporting those I love becasue that is who we are. We are strong and somehow, I think those of us that live with someone who has a Mental Illness, have learned to bear enough strength to support the entire family & the ups and downs. Because that is who we are..an understanding, loving, giving compassionate soul.
My heart is goes out for each of you who live the life - with and of - Mental Illness. "For God Doesn't Give Us More Than He Knows We Can Handle". Now I know that is why my Momma made me with such a broad back and loving soul. I feel fortunate that I can get up everyday through all the pain and can live life each day....one at a time:D
If anyone wants to PM me, I would love to have you share your story.
Hugs,
Lynn

[QUOTE=purpletaz1956]<snipped>I look back over the past 9 years (when my Mother passed away) and keep asking God why he constantly gives me such a large load to handle. <snipped>

Hey Hon. I think God(s) give us the amount we handle to show up just how much strength we do have to handle this. My daughter is Bipolar and 7, as well as Kevin being Bipolar, in jail and 27..lol. Honestly, I think the God(s) give us kids with bipolar at young ages to prepare us for the rest of the trials in our lives.:) This way they know we are prepared for whatever comes after it, even if WE don't think we are..:thumbsup:

Samantha
3 months 10 days til I can see Kevin again...

Some of you might find this a bit harsh and i might be opening a HUGE can of worms, but when i was dxed as bipolar Dec 7, 2000 at 11:37am....I got my tubes tied. I had had one child and i took a long time deciding, but with all the research i did i weighed it very carefully; i just couldnt personally take the chance of knowing, personally, that i passed my bipolar genes on.

NOW THIS IS MY OPINION

PLease dont go getting all over my case for it. I have a bipolar support group that i talk to about this with all the time when it comes up, but it is my opinion. I worry all the time about my daughter having mental issues down the road, I know that the meds get better daily, but it still doest settle that little part of the back of my mind....u know? BUt i thought i would just chare with u guys my personal thoughts while we were at it. :) If anyone would like to talk tome more about this privately, i am an open book, just like most other BP's....lol.
Have a great evening all
Melly