possible mental illness?

Mips

katiesmummy wrote: »

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

poet123 wrote: »

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

katiesmummy wrote: »

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

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

jeannieblue wrote: »

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

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

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

Paparika

katiesmummy wrote: »

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