The Increase in Mental Illness

I have been running into a plethora of severe mental health cases lately and been wondering what is going on. Calls from people who hear voices when there are no people, but are convinced that these voices are real. Others who are sure that people are coming to get them - through vents in the wall. Then there are the manicky ones who talk so fast and furiously that it is impossible to get a word in, let alone understand what they are saying. Oh, and how about the ones that just can’t find anything positive in the world – how sad is that. Depression, anxiety, and severe mental illness are no laughing matter. But, what is happening in the world that my callers seem to have more serious problems than ever before.

It could be the environment. It could be their diet. It could be that people with mental problems used to hide away and not be allowed in the general populace. Now, they are a protected group and are showing up more frequently in the workplace. It is good that those who have serious health issues can make a living someway. If not, who would support them? Our country’s mental health care is not admirable. It consists mostly of a lack of psychiatrist – the ones who can prescribe medications. The MDs who do exist have long waiting lists and, in my experience, most of them are poor providers for the seriously mentally ill. Little is done to understand the problems they face or the pain that mental illness causes families. Psychiatrists typically spend a maximum of 15 minutes with a patient, give them a drug and set another appointment. That’ll be $125 please.

Since all psychotropic medications have pretty serious side effects, it is important that the doctor spend a little time reviewing these with the patient at each visit. As many of the patients are not ‘normals’ (as we say), they may not have the wherewithal to report side effects. So, it’s the doctor’s duty to inquire. The doctors should also inquire about the use of substances, legal or otherwise with all of their patients. Few doctors have any knowledge of the effects of alcohol or drugs and don’t even question their clients. Giving a person who has 3-4 drinks a day an anti depressant or other psychotropic medication could result in a dangerous cocktail. At the very least, it renders the drug useless.

So, why don’t they do it? Why are so many people with serious mental health problems left to languish without proper care? Much of it has to do with our society’s attitude to those who act differently. We have little tolerance for mentally ill people. But, the numbers are growing exponentially each day. We had better get ready for improving mental health treatment both from a medical and therapeutic position.

I promised myself I would continue to write this blog, even if no one was reading it but me. So, here goes.
I have a question for anyone reading this missive: Can you tell me what success/victory means in the Iraq War? I have been waiting for someone to say exactly what that looks like. But, no. No General, Congressman or President (either Bush or Cheney) has given any explanation of victory.
Does that mean that Iraq becomes a democracy? I laugh. The best we'll get is a Theocracy and then it will look more like Iran. The only real democratic government in the Middle East is Israel and I doubt if another nation in the area even has an idea of how to become a Republic. So, just what would it look like if there is this 'victory.'
Women shedding their burkas and removing veils. No more of their abominable gutteral warbling. Women can drive and go to school. Couples who aren't married can have sex. Homosexuality is allowed. There is equality among the sexes. No more racism between sects. And, of course, the most important one...Capitalism will explode all over Iraq and people can worry about healthcare and where their next paycheck is coming from.
Hmmm, is this a good idea and when will it happen...so they can be just like US.