Comments on: “Lack of Insight”: The Phrase Sucks But the Problem Is Real http://blogs.philadelphiaweekly.com/trouble/2008/11/07/lack-of-insight-the-phrase-sucks-but-the-problem-is-real/ A blog about mental health Fri, 20 Nov 2009 05:55:48 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Jeanette http://blogs.philadelphiaweekly.com/trouble/2008/11/07/lack-of-insight-the-phrase-sucks-but-the-problem-is-real/comment-page-1/#comment-3992 Jeanette Sat, 08 Nov 2008 22:38:05 +0000 http://trouble.pwblogs.com/2008/11/07/lack-of-insight-the-phrase-sucks-but-the-problem-is-real/#comment-3992 Most likely, this girl will have a very short hospital stay and, even if she is taking medications that help her symptoms while in the hospital, when she is discharged, she very likely will not have any follow-up treatment, especially if she decides she doesn't need it. Then, as so often happens, she may just continue to cycle in and out of hospitals, waiting each time until she shows that she is a "clear and present danger to herself or others" before she can be committed into treatment again. That is what our current law in Pennsylvania, the Mental Health Procedures Act of 1976, requires. So, under this law, the university cannot intervene. When family and friends try to help someone they care about with a severe mental illness and lack of insight, this law requires that they first prove dangerousness, and only a previous 30-day history can be used for proof that someone fits the criteria of "clear and present danger." We need to change our laws if we want to help individuals who lack insight that they have a treatable mental illness. An effective outpatient treatment law such as SB 226 would benefit someone like this girl because a provider agency would also be required to ensure that she continued to receive treatment in the community. (http://www.treatmentadvocacycenter.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=234&Itemid=169) Most likely, this girl will have a very short hospital stay and, even if she is taking medications that help her symptoms while in the hospital, when she is discharged, she very likely will not have any follow-up treatment, especially if she decides she doesn’t need it. Then, as so often happens, she may just continue to cycle in and out of hospitals, waiting each time until she shows that she is a “clear and present danger to herself or others” before she can be committed into treatment again. That is what our current law in Pennsylvania, the Mental Health Procedures Act of 1976, requires. So, under this law, the university cannot intervene. When family and friends try to help someone they care about with a severe mental illness and lack of insight, this law requires that they first prove dangerousness, and only a previous 30-day history can be used for proof that someone fits the criteria of “clear and present danger.” We need to change our laws if we want to help individuals who lack insight that they have a treatable mental illness. An effective outpatient treatment law such as SB 226 would benefit someone like this girl because a provider agency would also be required to ensure that she continued to receive treatment in the community. (http://www.treatmentadvocacycenter.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=234&Itemid=169)

]]> By: Dennis http://blogs.philadelphiaweekly.com/trouble/2008/11/07/lack-of-insight-the-phrase-sucks-but-the-problem-is-real/comment-page-1/#comment-3991 Dennis Fri, 07 Nov 2008 20:07:55 +0000 http://trouble.pwblogs.com/2008/11/07/lack-of-insight-the-phrase-sucks-but-the-problem-is-real/#comment-3991 Liz, This is such a difficult call. My initial thought is when a group of people - as opposed to say one or two -calls for an intervention, it should be seriously considered. Thank God the person who was stabbed has recovered, but I agree with Kay this easily could have become far worse. The rights of a sick individual in instances such as these are trumped by the need to protect society as well as themselves. It is tough love taken to the most extreme. Dennis Liz,

This is such a difficult call.

My initial thought is when a group of people – as opposed to say one or two -calls for an intervention, it should be seriously considered. Thank God the person who was stabbed has recovered, but I agree with Kay this easily could have become far worse.

The rights of a sick individual in instances such as these are trumped by the need to protect society as well as themselves. It is tough love taken to the most extreme.

Dennis

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