News

katiesmummy · 25-05-2008, 10:04 PM

ok, i think my buddy may be suffering from a mental illness of some kind....

he is 23 and has been a cannabis smoker since he was 12 (not condoning this at all as i hate drugs)
he has always had a bit of a short temper and tends to fly off the handle fairly easily, but over the past year he has got a lot worse to the point where he has become violent towards his gf. on saturday morning they got into an argument and he punched her in the face, damaging her nose. the police came and arrested him.

i am not trying to defend him in any way as i totally disagree with what he did...BUT...i do think he should be assessed by a psychiatrist as i seriously think he needs help. he is up in court tomorrow morning according to the police and it looks likely that he will be remanded pending sentencing (as far as i know he is pleading guilty) and is likely to get a custodial sentence which he totally deserves, but i think just locking him up will serve no purpose as it will not solve the emotional problems that he has that stem from a very traumatic childhood and from events that have happened over the past few years-
*his mum died of a heroin overdose when he was 7
*his dad was an alcoholic who neglected him and beat him on a regular basis, so much so that he put himself in care when he was 12
*he was sexually abused when he was in care by another boy
*when he was 19 his then gf gave birth to their daughter at 23 weeks who sadly died when she was a week old. his gf then tried to commit suicide and then left him as both were unable to deal with their grief over the baby's death

i agree with him getting a custodial sentence as i think he needs to be punished but i also think that he needs help that he probably wouldnt get from a normal prison doctor.

does anyone have any experience with this kind of thing and would you have any idea of how to go about getting him help whilst in prison?

i know a lot of you will probably think just lock him up as he deserves to be punished, but if he doesnt get help he will come out of prison exactly the same and nothing will have changed

i hope that someone will be able to give me some advice

Dippychick · 25-05-2008, 10:08 PM

I think you are a very caring friend

I don't think this incident alone would suggest he has a Mental Illness, however, is there anything else leading up to this that could suggest he is sick right now?

southernscouser · 25-05-2008, 10:15 PM

The anger problems seem to be more to do with his addiction to cannabis than a mental illness.

Although there is lots of evidence to suggest cannabis does cause mental illness I think it's more towards depression and other illness's rather than violence.

I know he is your friend but a custodial sentence would provide a purpose. A punishment for a terrible crime.

katiesmummy · 25-05-2008, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dippychick

I think you are a very caring friend

I don't think this incident alone would suggest he has a Mental Illness, however, is there anything else leading up to this that could suggest he is sick right now?

its just general observations from when i see him..... but he has days when he wont get out of bed till lunchtime, then will just sit and play computer or watch tv for the rest of the day and pretty much not move from the sofa....one minute he will be happy the next sad....when he loses his temper its like he is another person iykiwm...he totally loses control....he talks to himself a lot....very low opinion of himself

he used to be a very hard worker, but hasnt had a job for more than 6 months....he used to be very particular about his hygiene, now he can go a week without having a bath

i cant think of anything else off the top of my head

poet123 · 25-05-2008, 10:17 PM

There have been studies which link prolonged usage with split personality disorders.

katiesmummy · 25-05-2008, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by southernscouser

The anger problems seem to be more to do with his addiction to cannabis than a mental illness.

Although there is lots of evidence to suggest cannabis does cause mental illness I think it's more towards depression and other illness's rather than violence.

I know he is your friend but a custodial sentence would provide a purpose. A punishment for a terrible crime.

ss i totally agree with you and i am not in any way condoning what he did- he needs to be punished...but i think that he also needs some 'help' to go with the custodial sentence

Dippychick · 25-05-2008, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by katiesmummy

its just general observations from when i see him..... but he has days when he wont get out of bed till lunchtime, then will just sit and play computer or watch tv for the rest of the day and pretty much not move from the sofa....one minute he will be happy the next sad....when he loses his temper its like he is another person iykiwm...he totally loses control....he talks to himself a lot....very low opinion of himself

he used to be a very hard worker, but hasnt had a job for more than 6 months....he used to be very particular about his hygiene, now he can go a week without having a bath

i cant think of anything else off the top of my head

Well as for the lethargy - I was the same when I was a heavy pot smoker... college years I may add..!

But the not getting washed, talking to himself... could be any one of a number of Mental illnesses.

What has his girlfriend said about the situation? Does she believe he is poorly too? She could have mentioned this at the time of the arrest, which would have helped his case. Is she prosecuting, or are the Police?

katiesmummy · 25-05-2008, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by poet123

There have been studies which link prolonged usage with split personality disorders.

really? thats interesting...will have to google and see what i can find

any clue who i would talk to about this? his solicitor maybe?

katiesmummy · 25-05-2008, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dippychick

Well as for the lethargy - I was the same when I was a heavy pot smoker... college years I may add..!

But the not getting washed, talking to himself... could be any one of a number of Mental illnesses.

What has his girlfriend said about the situation? Does she believe he is poorly too? She could have mentioned this at the time of the arrest, which would have helped his case. Is she prosecuting, or are the Police?

her & i dont get on particularly well, but she does agree with me on this although she has instructed the police to continue as she wants him to realize what he has done

Dippychick · 25-05-2008, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by katiesmummy

her & i dont get on particularly well, but she does agree with me on this although she has instructed the police to continue as she wants him to realize what he has done

Does she have children with him? What is their relationship usually like?

It is very sad that a 23yr old, with such a tragic childhood will end up with a criminal record, is he up for ABH/GBH?

It does sounds like he needs intensive help and could maybe get a reduced sentence due to his life so far.

I am also not condoning his behaviour, but sometimes people are left too long without the help they need, and unfortunately things like this end up happening.

katiesmummy · 25-05-2008, 11:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dippychick

Does she have children with him? What is their relationship usually like?

It is very sad that a 23yr old, with such a tragic childhood will end up with a criminal record, is he up for ABH/GBH?

It does sounds like he needs intensive help and could maybe get a reduced sentence due to his life so far.

I am also not condoning his behaviour, but sometimes people are left too long without the help they need, and unfortunately things like this end up happening.

he is up for abh

they have a little boy together he is almost 1. i know that they love each other very much and she really wants to help him as much as i do.

i know his dad quite well, and although he is on the wagon now, he refuses to take any responsibility for his son's childhood at all . he started getting in trouble when he was in care but non violent stuff
do you think if she wrote a letter to the judge it would make a difference? would they even listen to her about his problems?

Dippychick · 25-05-2008, 11:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by katiesmummy

he is up for abh

they have a little boy together he is almost 1. i know that they love each other very much and she really wants to help him as much as i do.

i know his dad quite well, and although he is on the wagon now, he refuses to take any responsibility for his son's childhood at all . he started getting in trouble when he was in care but non violent stuff
do you think if she wrote a letter to the judge it would make a difference? would they even listen to her about his problems?

I can only offer my opinion, and that would be for her to write/ring his Solicitor. For the sake of his family Unit, he does need to address his emotional difficulties, but really, you can't blame the guy for being screwed up.

If this is his first violent episode, then it may well be that everything is getting on top of him, and having children is stressful enough for even the most well balanced of people who have had idyllic childhoods.

They may be more lenient on him and offer him counselling or a reduced sentence.

jeannieblue · 25-05-2008, 11:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by poet123

There have been studies which link prolonged usage with split personality disorders.

This is so common. Cannabis in the 60's was extremely mild. What is on the streets now is very strong. It is causing all sorts of mental health problems which don't seem to stop when you stop using the blasted stuff.

Its tragic, and it is why I am so mad that they changed the class on this drug.... but then, people would still use, just like all the other cr*p that is out there.

If he is affected in this way - causing split personality (I'd use the the correct word but for the life of me can't think how to spell it - schitzophrenia - nah thats wrong), I've heard that it is for life, but I am hoping that is not so - as folk deserve a break if poss. It sounds like addiction runs in his family, how very very sad.

Sounds cruel, but it may be better for his baby son if he doesn't have contact, at least for now.

cazac71 · 25-05-2008, 11:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by katiesmummy

its just general observations from when i see him..... but he has days when he wont get out of bed till lunchtime, then will just sit and play computer or watch tv for the rest of the day and pretty much not move from the sofa....one minute he will be happy the next sad....when he loses his temper its like he is another person iykiwm...he totally loses control....he talks to himself a lot....very low opinion of himself

he used to be a very hard worker, but hasnt had a job for more than 6 months....he used to be very particular about his hygiene, now he can go a week without having a bath

i cant think of anything else off the top of my head

He could have a PD (personality disorder) such as BPD (Borderline personality disorder) which unfortunately in men are just seen as him having anti social behaviour etc. The canabis which he has obviously used to self medicate is making things worse (which deep down he probably knows).

Sharlee · 25-05-2008, 11:24 PM

What is he being charged with? If it is common assault or ABH, and unless he has previous convictions, it is unlikely he will go to prison, it is more likely to be a suspended sentence with a community order. If this is of sufficient duration and his pre-sentence report recommends it, he may attend a perpetrators programme which deals with men who commit domestic abuse.

Sadly, there is very little help out there for men like your friend. He may or may not be suffering from a mental health problem, but with his history it is not surprising that he is so troubled. Obviously any drug usage won't help but heavy cannabis usage is not usually linked with domestic abuse (it's alcohol, steroids and cocaine). However, it is linked with schizophrenia which is not the same as split personality disorder (this is now known as dissociative identity disorder).

For the record, it is the Crown Prosecution Service that decides the charge and brings the prosecution, the victim acts as a witness and supports the prosecution. His girlfriend should write a victim impact/personal statement which should inform the court when deciding the sentence and may also be entitled to criminal injuries compensation but the police should be advising on this.

I think your friend is very lucky to have someone like you to support him.

Regards
Sharlee

katiesmummy · 25-05-2008, 11:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeannieblue

This is so common. Cannabis in the 60's was extremely mild. What is on the streets now is very strong. It is causing all sorts of mental health problems which don't seem to stop when you stop using the blasted stuff.

Its tragic, and it is why I am so mad that they changed the class on this drug.... but then, people would still use, just like all the other cr*p that is out there.

If he is affected in this way - causing split personality (I'd use the the correct word but for the life of me can't think how to spell it - schitzophrenia - nah thats wrong), I've heard that it is for life, but I am hoping that is not so - as folk deserve a break if poss. It sounds like addiction runs in his family, how very very sad.

Sounds cruel, but it may be better for his baby son if he doesn't have contact, at least for now.

i agree about not having contact with the baby for the time being. if he does get remanded then he will obviously be away for a while and any contact will be in a visiting room (if she does decide to go and see him that is)

mr_rush · 26-05-2008, 10:48 AM

forensic psychiatrists work in prisons. he may be able to access them.

katiesmummy · 27-05-2008, 11:54 AM

thanks for the advice everyone.

he was in court yesterday and was remanded in custody. he has pled not guilty (i was shocked at first but after speaking to his solicitor i understood why). he doesnt remember anything about saturday morning at all. i am going to see his solicitor tomorrow to see what is happening

Paparika · 27-05-2008, 9:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by katiesmummy

thanks for the advice everyone.

he was in court yesterday and was remanded in custody. he has pled not guilty (i was shocked at first but after speaking to his solicitor i understood why). he doesnt remember anything about saturday morning at all. i am going to see his solicitor tomorrow to see what is happening

tell the solicitor you think your friend needs to see the prison psychiatrist, this will be the first step to getting him help, its probably the best place to get the help quicker tbh,

in the outside world it would be a referral from the gp and that could take a while.

I was a psychiatrists med sec last year and it was gp referrals only.

I now work with prisoners fresh out of jail and into bail hostels like the one i work in now, they do have mental health assessments when they are inside (even remand)

hopefully this is the help he needs and can get good luck