Some Of The Most Common Mental Health Problems Inmates Face

Are you already a person who has experienced mental health struggles and/or had close relationships with those that have? If so, then you might be familiar with the struggle of maintaining stable mental health while in the prison system.

What Fits the Definition of Mental Health

Mental Health is a broad term that can encompass a range of issues, from mild to severe. In general, mental health problems fall into one of five categories: affective disorders (such as depression and anxiety), behavioral disorders (such as chronic aggressive or bipolar disorder), cognitive disorders (such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), neurological disorders (such as Alzheimer’s disease) and traumatic brain injury.
Many inmates suffer from some type of mental health problem, but not all prisoners with mental health problems receive the help they need. Mental health problems can interfere with an inmate’s ability to take care of themselves and cope with life in prison, which can lead to increased isolation and vulnerability to abuse.
Any inmate who shows signs of mental illness – such as experiencing mood swings or becoming extremely withdrawn – should be evaluated by a correctional officer or doctor. If an inmate is found to have a mental health problem, he or she should be treated as any other prisoner with a serious medical condition would be treated.

The following are some of the most common mental health problems inmates face:

Depression
One in five U.S. adults experiences depression at some point in their lives, and rates are even higher among youths and young adults. Depression is the most common of the mood disorders, affecting people of all ages, races and gender. Whether symptoms occur at a relatively mild level or become debilitating enough to interfere with an inmate’s everyday life goals may often depend on other stressors in the individual’s life. Chronic pain, difficult relationships or financial problems are all assumed to exacerbate depressive symptoms; helping someone cope with these additional stressors is therefore imperative.In addition to ensuring depression is taken seriously by prison staff and patients receive appropriate treatment for underlying mental issues, proper screening for chronic conditions should be implemented that can slow down progress toward a potentially serious mental state.PTSDandSubstance AbuseTailoring tasks to fit individuals’

What Are The Costs of Mental Disorders?

Mental disorders can have a significant impact on both the individual and society. The costs of mental disorders include both direct and indirect costs. Direct costs are incurred when an individual visits a doctor, undergoes treatment, or takes medication for their mental disorder. Indirect costs are incurred when an individual is unable to work due to their mental disorder, or when they experience social problems because of their mental disorder.

There are many mental disorders that are costly to society. Some of the most common mental health problems inmates face include depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Depression is the most common reason for seeking treatment in prisons and jails. In 2009, depression was responsible for more missed work days than any other condition. In 2008, depression cost American businesses more than $124 billion in lost productivity.

Anxiety is also a costly problem. Anxiety is the second most common reason people visit a doctor. It causes people to miss school, work, and other important activities. In 2007, anxiety caused more than $57 billion in losses to American businesses.

Bipolar disorder is another expensive condition. Bipolar disorder costs sufferers more than $170 billion a year, in terms of missed work days, school grades, and other aspects of life.It’s important to recognize that these are just publicly-recognized costs. It’s also important to recognize how costly mental disorders actually are for millions of people every day. Research has found that it can cost hundreds of dollars a month to monitor an anti-psychotic medication for patients with schizophrenia and related illnesses.Even more alarming is the fact that there is not nearly enough treatment for these diseases in America today. Based on the new study mentioned above, an estimated 39 million Americans suffer from some form of mental illness .

Out those people, only about 8% actually receive treatment through psychiatrists or psychologists MD Andrews says that “disproportionately low proportion of mental health care’s€”low standard of care even for those who benefit from it.” That’s not to say the patient is ripped off, though. In the past there were high rates of unethical and unsafe treatments in America (it’s no secret that countless people were lobotomized as a form of deterrent during the ’50s), but since then an accurate diagnosis has been more important on doctors than nostalgia.

And thankfully, today, practices similar to how they were run back then are viewed as unethical due to their breach of patients’ rights and laws. In the eyes of many psychiatrists, it’s proven safer to have benefits such as assisted suicide or pain management done by non-MD professionals. It is a sad fact that there are still areas in the country where these types of anti-American practices are being embraced by minds that should know better. But our democracy allows for humane, humane steps that would have never received such a right in communist countries.

As for Hulstijn, I feel glad he has done the right thing. He’s shown me that many on both sides acknowledge the problems people with meds face nowadays and are working to avoid their mistakes from happening again. Sadly though, there’s still severe prejudices against us…and it worries me that I’ll wake up one morning and learn it was just a dream all along.

Causes of Mental Illness

Mental health is a broad term that can refer to anything from a simple feeling of unease to an actual mental disorder. Mental health problems can affect anyone, no matter their age, sex, or cultural background. Developmental disorders, such as ADHD and autism, are also common mental health issues in inmates.

This overview looks at some of the most common mental health problems inmates face. It discusses the causes of the problems and how inmates can seek help.

Improving Mental Health Numbers in Prisons

Improving mental health numbers in prisons has been a problem for years. The percentage of inmates with mental health issues is high, and it often leads to problems in correctional facilities.

Some of the most common mental health problems in inmates face include anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), addiction, and psychosis. Inmates with mental health issues can have trouble adjusting to life in prison, and they often struggle to follow rules and routines. Many times, this leads to fights and other issues.

There are many ways to improve mental health numbers in prisons. Some of the most common include providing more therapy and counseling services, increasing access to pharmacology treatments, and increasing access to legal services. It is also important to create environments that are supportive and comfortable for inmates with mental health issues.

Conclusion

Mental health problems are unfortunately quite common in inmates, with anxiety, depression, and other issues ranking high among the concerns. Not only do these conditions make incarceration difficult for inmates, but they also put them at an increased risk for suicide. In order to help mitigate the effects of mental health problems on inmates and reduce suicide rates, prisons need to beaware of what is causing them and create programs that can address those issues head-on.