Once again, we are dangerous

'A man has surrendered to police in the US state of Washington after a series of shootings left six people dead.'

'The suspect was reportedly known to authorities as "someone with a mental illness", Trooper Keith Leary told the Associated Press news agency.'

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/7595178.stm

This makes me so very very sad

Oh great, something else to add to the stigma. I wish they'd at least be more specific, rather than just making it seem like 'one of those crazy people'.

Maybe they don't know what mental illness he has. Some of us can be dangerous but not all of us.

Don't take it so personally would be my advise.

Generally, people are afraid of what they don't understand. Unfortunately, the media plays upon that fear. Since I've only been diagnosed last week, I'm afraid of what I'm going to be up against, like updating my medical history at various places.

I know that, you know that, most people here know that.

The average lay-person who has no resources about mental illness other than the national media doesn't.

I come from both sides. My mother had bipolar & WAS dangerous to herself & to us (her children). She, unfortunately, was not able to be helped--plus she was not exactly compliant being an alcoholic--so whose/ what's to blame? The fact IS SHE WAS DANGEROUS & I had to call the police to have her hauled away when she tried to kill my brother.

Now, I also have been dxed as bipolar I as well (thanks, Mom), but I have never been violent except against myself (suicide attempts--my mother did finally succeed in killing herself when I was a teenager--just about the time I started trying). So it would be interesting to know the way to reassure the "public" yet warn them at the same time that an unbalanced person can be dangerous.--Suzy

If you stop and think about it, how many people do you know that DON'T have a mental illness of some kind?

Pach...I saw that repeort to, Im from wa state. I was appaled. For the record I dont think of you as insane...only a wee bit goofy..which I enjoy alot.:mf_swordfight:

Well, remember their is confidentiality involved in your medical records and you must protect your records at all times, where possible.

You know, I feel I don't have to answer some forms or papers that ask such personal questions about my mental health. I could be wrong here, but I feel like I don't have to reveal aspects of my depression and panic issues, and when I can, I won't.:Oops:

If it serves me, I will. If it doesn't, except where to do so is an outright false premise, I will keep my state of mind to myself.

As an aside ---

My heart goes out to Suzy and others who have had to deal with violence combined with a parents mental illness.
I can so relate to your story Suzy.
Only difference is my Mom was slowly killing herself with alcoholism, and until her death, she got to wreak her misery onto her children and if we weren't sharp, our children. She did a number on her parents, also.

May you live your life in peace knowing you have survived, with no reason to invite painful experiences into your personal life ever again like that. You are a strong and I think terrific Dear Person.

I hope you will have a nice life. You deserve the very best, let alone all the fun you can find to have!

We all have to get on the path that helps us - feels right, and just enjoy the ride where possible.

Unfortunately, this incident is another case of some individual who happens to have a mental illness, caught up in mayhem and confusion and mayhem won, as far as we know yet.

I hope our country puts mental illness on top of it's agenda - in the new administration! Clinton started a discussion after his presidency re: depression and other issues of mental health, as he said he suffered with it himself.

We can do so much more to help ourselves, our family, and those affected in our communities by having dialog with people who have the power to help. That includes the media. And a site like this is right in the face of change-agents too. hmmmm

Glad this thread was started because somewhere, someone is reading the concerns of the posters here, and 'thinking'.

It's a start.:th_smiley_pray:

Peace and Love,
Night

xoxoxo

Although it may add to the stigma for some people that don't know much about mental illness, I think it highlights the need for a more comprehensive treatment plan. He was released and ordered by the judge to see a mental health professional, yet he never went. Had the judge or an agency followed up with this individual, knowing his mental state, this tragedy could have been prevented. The sister knew the danger he posed and tried to get help...sometimes 911 is the necessary intervention. Unfortunately laws in some states require a court mandate to involuntarily commit someone, so most relatives simply don't want to go through the hassle or want to avoid feelings of betrayal by the ill person. I see cries for reform emerging, so hopefully we can avoid instances like these

The sad fact is that our prisons are filled with the mentally ill who havent been treated in the mental illness area of our society......who have fallen into the prison system before ever having or willing are treated for their mental illness.

I was followed in the car for about 40 miles by a guy, when we stopped in the parking lot of the guard company my husband was working for at the time rather than driving home (I wanted to go directly to the sheriff department). The guard that came to help us warned him to leave & he just wouldn't....it took this huge guard to wrestle him to the ground....spray him with mace, & then we called the sheriff. When they came, we all realized how mentally ill he was........the viet nam war was because of him? Yep, if that isn't mentally ill....he was going on & on about all kinds of crazy things & sadly had just gotten out of jail the day before.

Said he was following me because he thought my car was his friend......& wanted to make sure his friend got home ok.....like his friend didn't live way out in the desert....he lived in Simi Valley.....about 75 miles from my home area......Scarry to realize untreated mental illnesses are all over the place & even though those of us witn mental illnesses recognize the mentally ill, it still doesn't make us any safer than the rest of the population....just a bit more sensitive to what they are dealing with.

Debbie

Depends on what reform takes place. More involuntary commitment? I think if treatment had fewer problems itself, then there would be less objection from the sufferers themselves to getting it.

Thanks, Minime!

I am quite willing to be considered goofy.

I had the weirdest experience when I moved to Indiana from Calif. & went to get a new driver's license & they asked me if I had ever been treated for or diagnosed with a mental illness!!! Could they tell by looking at me? Was it because I was from Calif.?? I lied & answered "no" but it really freaked me out. I asked around & found out that was NOT a typical question they asked. I wonder what the deal was & what would have happened if they found out I had lied.--Suzy

Yep! It's still a typical question for applications in a lot of "areas" though.
It's not all that rare. I feel though...until we can straighten out stigma issues correctly...it's no-ones business. Hey...blame it on our unaccepting world! We call ourselves "modern"...but we can't even get over issues that should have been resolved long ago.
Unless you are applying for a "delicate position" that requires such information...it's still between you and your doctor.
It's your right and privalege to tell or not!
Yeppers....lotsa danger out there...but NEVER from mental illness alone!
Stigma "scare tactic" to sell stories.
Had a camera man friend for a local news channel tell me of how they almost always throw a shoe out in the street at an accident scene.
Why? Because an empty street doesn't conjure up images as well as that "trick".
Media....bah!
T.C....{"tongue in cheek" at the 5:00 o'clock news!}
m.b.