Treatment Archives - Page 2 of 2

Gravely Ill Versus Danger to Self and Others by Kartar Diamond

There are a couple of terms or phrases which get the attention of law enforcement, as well as mental healthcare providers. One phrase is “gravely ill.” Anyone can assume correctly that this implies someone is very sick. In a medical context, it means that a person is very close to death. In a mental health context, “gravely ill” implies that a person is so disabled by their mental disorder that they could easily be vulnerable to a variety of circumstances which could result [...]

By Kartar Diamond|2021-05-31T17:45:16+00:00May 31, 2021|Mental Illness, Treatment|0 Comments

Do Euphemisms Help When It Comes to Mental Health? By Kartar Diamond

I try to make a point of referring to myself as a mental “illness” advocate and not a mental “health” advocate. Why? The reasons are varied, but the literal truth is that I advocate for those who suffer from serious mental illness and who cannot advocate for themselves. The rest of us who enjoy reasonably good mental health, and as highly functioning individuals, we know how to seek professional help when or if we have a set-back or psychological issue we cannot resolve [...]

By Kartar Diamond|2021-05-28T01:37:20+00:00May 28, 2021|Advocacy, Mental Illness, Treatment|0 Comments

Government Discrimination Against Those With Serious Mental Illness by Kartar Diamond

There are many ways in which people with serious mental illness are discriminated against by the U.S. government. This article exposes just one area, in contrast to those with Developmental Disabilities. The current phrase “Developmental Disability,” or alternatively “intellectual disability,” refers to those with Autism, Downs’ Syndrome and other causes of mental retardation (which is a medical term that has somehow become politically incorrect). Those with Developmental Disability need moderate to significant amounts of long term treatment and services, as well as supportive [...]

By Kartar Diamond|2021-05-03T15:24:09+00:00May 3, 2021|Advocacy, Treatment|0 Comments

Cannabis and Mental Illness by Kartar Diamond

The subject of marijuana and mental illness is a very touchy, controversial topic within the mental health community. This article will highlight just a few of the issues, but I’ll say at the outset that I see both sides of the arguments for and against. Everything has to be taken into context and factoring in the unique situations for each person, should they choose to “self-medicate” with weed. After attending years of NAMI Family Support meetings, hands down virtually all parents in attendance [...]

By Kartar Diamond|2021-05-16T14:46:48+00:00April 9, 2021|Mental Illness, Treatment|0 Comments

Adolescents with Mental Illness by Kartar Diamond

These days it seems like more kids are struggling with mental health issues. Perhaps we are just more willing to talk about it openly in society, with mental illness is a little less stigmatized than it used to be decades ago. However, there is a wide spectrum and ranges in severity when it comes to mental illness. When mental illness emerges in teenagers, the odd behaviors can sometimes be written off as just caused by teenage hormones. General anxiety and personality disorders can [...]

By Kartar Diamond|2021-05-16T14:51:28+00:00March 23, 2021|Family, Mental Illness, Treatment|0 Comments

What is NIMBYISM? by Kartar Diamond

Simply put, the acronym N.I.M.B.Y. stands for “Not In My Back Yard.” It refers to an attitude or stance taken by many people in that they will protest or campaign to keep anything or anyone deemed objectionable out of their neighborhood or community. The objectionable situation or person can cover a wide variety of demographics, but sometimes the objections people have are understandable and not just a case of prejudice or elitism. In the case of mental illness and homelessness, which are often [...]

By Kartar Diamond|2021-05-16T14:54:25+00:00March 18, 2021|Advocacy, Mental Illness, Treatment|0 Comments

The Twinkie Defense and Mental Health by Kartar Diamond

In 1978, a former San Francisco elected official named Dan White killed then-Mayor George Mascone and former fellow Supervisor Harvey Milk. The whole story was quite sensational and if you are not familiar with it, you can get the Cliff Notes on a Dan White Wikipedia page. Part of the defense, which resulted in murder charges being reduced to manslaughter, was the evidence that Dan White was severely depressed. Most depressed people don’t go on a killing spree, and any violent actions usually [...]

By Kartar Diamond|2021-03-15T21:25:43+00:00March 15, 2021|Mental Illness, Treatment|0 Comments

Sober Living Houses and Mental Illness by Kartar Diamond

Sober Living Houses fulfill a need and help people with drug or alcohol problems become sober. The people who move into a Sober Living house voluntarily are likely to be more successful than those who are court-ordered to live there, but each person has their own unique history with addiction and their own time table and their own resolve to change. Sober Living houses are often located in residential neighborhoods, indistinguishable from surrounding private homes. In order to maintain good standing in the [...]

By Kartar Diamond|2021-05-16T15:10:46+00:00February 16, 2021|Advocacy, Mental Illness, Treatment|0 Comments

How Does a Mentally Ill Person Get Diagnosed? by Kartar Diamond

In the span of six weeks, back in the summer of 2007, my son received several different diagnoses, with each of four separate hospitalizations. The varying diagnoses ranged from schizoaffective disorder, to bipolar disorder with psychotic features, to schizophrenia paranoid type. Only six months prior, the first diagnosis was schizophrenia and a month later downgraded to Social Anxiety by the same doctor. For many people, it is difficult to get an accurate diagnosis. First of all, it may take a long time before [...]

By Kartar Diamond|2020-12-06T03:25:24+00:00December 6, 2020|Mental Illness, Treatment|0 Comments