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Crime and Violence
The vast majority of persons with severe mental illnesses are neither criminals and are never violent; unfortunately it is the few who do who get the publicity and so shape public opinion and often determine the legal climate for mental health issues.
Psychiatric Medications and Violence
A number of psychiatric medications have been found to be associated with a greater than normal risk of violent behavior.
Do SSRI Antidepressants Cause Violence? Not So Fast...
The website SSRI Stories lists thousands of stories it says prove the connection between SSRI antidepressants and violence. I chose random links from their listings and found that in most of those stories, either emphasis was disproportionately placed on the mention of antidepressants, or the connection between these drugs and criminal behavior...
The Casey Anthony Trial Adds to Misunderstanding Mental Illness
Ever since the death of Caylee Anthony became a media sensation, throughout Casey Anthony's trial, and after the not guilty verdict was announced, says Andy Behrman, people have been saying that Casey Anthony must have bipolar disorder as if that would explain both Caylee's murder and Casey's behavior. Whether the mother is bipolar or not, the...
What's Your Perspective on Guns and Mental Illness?
Too often perpetrators of mass shootings are found to be mentally ill. What are your feelings about guns and mental illness?
Driving Under the Influence: The Laws Do Apply to Prescriptions!
I am writing to share with you a harsh lesson I learned through a personal experience. I hope my incident will help others avoid a similar debacle. DUI means driving under the influence of not only alcohol and illegal drugs, but also medications prescribed by our doctors. If you don't know your meds, find out about them. Then get a second opinion before you get behind the wheel of a car!
Jayson Blair Has Bipolar Disorder
Jayson Blair scandalized the journalism world by copying and fabricating dozens of news stories when he worked at the New York Times. Since then he has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Viewing his actions in terms of a bipolar profile helps make his behavior more understandable.
Suicide by Cop
From NAMI E-News, an article discussing the disturbing social trend for some mentally ill people to turn the police into suicidal weapons. Reprinted with permission.
The MacArthur Violence Risk Assessment Study
This is the Executive Summary for the results of the MacArthur Study, which seeks to answer the question, "How does the rate of violence by former mental patients compare with the rate of violence by other members of the community?"
Study Confirms Treatment Reduces Violence
Report on MacArthur Foundation study which found a 50 percent reduction in violent acts in persons released from psychiatric hospitals.
