institutional-secrets

[institutional-secrets]

Chemical Imbalance?

Take a moment to think about how many people you know of who are prescribed to a psycho-active drug. A study conducted in 2019, reported by the National Center for Health Statistics revealed that 19.2% of Americans received mental health treatment in the past year. 15.8% had taken prescription medication for their mental illness compared to 9.5% receiving therapy from a mental health professional. This data is overwhelming considering the large portion of Americans affected by mental health. It is important to notice that more people use prescription drugs as opposed to engaging in therapy. 

Some of the most common psycho-active drugs used are antidepressants such as Zoloft, Lexapro, and Prozac. There are other classifications of drugs including: stimulant drugs such as Adderall and Ritalin, anti-psychotics including Risperdal and Seroquel. These are just some of the many psycho-active drugs being used to treat mental health patients.

A major controversy exists over the effectiveness of psycho-active drugs. Given that much of America's population has been using prescribed drugs to treat mental illness, the debate of if people should be using these drugs continues. The book Taking America Off Drugs by Stephen Ray Flora has an interesting take on addressing some of these issues. 

The author delineates that the goal of drug companies is not to make patients get better. Adversely, they aim towards maintaining their customer base by offering “quick fixes” that do not permanently solve the problems. Companies sell Americans drugs as a form of instant gratification to keep them coming back for more. Patients are deceived into thinking the drug is more effective than it is. This happens because after taking the drug for a long time, when they finally stop the drug they experience a behavioral rebound. This in turn makes their symptoms of mental illness appear worse than before. So surely, the medicine must be working.

Throughout this book, Stephen Ray Flora offers unique insight on Americans taking drugs for their mental health. For instance he debunks the idea of behavioral problems being neurochemically, brain based. He clarifies that behavioral problems derive from behavioral imbalances and require behavioral treatment instead of drugs.

It is emphasized that when behavior is imbalanced, it creates instability throughout the whole body, including the brain. However in most cases, the root of the problem is not just from a chemical imbalance in the brain alone. Taking drugs in order to relieve the symptoms of mental illness does not directly solve the problem at hand. Instead, he recommends that people suffering from mental illness really need “firm advice on systematic, consistent, large-scale changes in their daily lives” to successfully learn how to manage their behavioral problems. 

I found this outlook on drug treatment for mental health to be especially captivating. The author illustrates the reality of taking drugs as a suppressant to the real issues at hand. The statistics mentioned earlier only account for prescribed users. Many people find ways to access these medications illegally and become dependent on such drugs. It is important for individuals suffering from mental illness to think about what these drugs are really doing and look at the bigger picture in order to save themselves. 

[institutional-secrets]

Inside the Facility

For my research I intended to gather knowledge for my topic from all possible angles. In order to make this achievable, I needed to get information from a primary source to get as close to actuality as possible. I was able to accomplish this by reaching out to people I knew who had experience in mental hospitals. By doing this, I could discover authentic details of what goes on behind the scenes of mental health patients. 

A friend of mine, who will remain anonymous, was willing enough to open up to me about her time in a mental health hospital for research purposes. I interviewed her regarding where she stayed, the conditions of the hospital, restrictions implemented, and the effectiveness of the facility. 

For some background, she explained that she suffered from anxiety and depression throughout her teenage years. She was never medicated or treated for her mental health prior to getting admitted to the hospital. One day her suffering became unbearable and caused her to go to the hospital. From this, she was asked if she would be willing to get admitted to a mental hospital, which she agreed to. There were tedious procedures that needed to be followed in order to find an institute with availability that also took her insurance. She had to wait a total of about twelve hours to be admitted. This consisted of talking to various doctors, filing for paperwork, taking an ambulance from hospital to hospital, and going home to gather necessities for her stay. She finally was admitted to Meadowwood Behavioral Health Hospital after all. 

She was told from the start that she would have her own room and access to a phone to use whenever she pleased. Upon her arrival she was welcomed into a room with a roommate and no personal phone to use. Although there was a phone for calls, everyone had to wait to be called back if they had a call or they had to wait hours to make a call. From having no prior history of psychoactive drugs, she was immediately put on four different medications, all of which she did not consent to taking. Despite this, the doctors made sure patients took their meds by checking their tongue to make sure the pills were swallowed. 

She felt that the hospital she was put in was not a good fit for her. For example, she stated that she was “triggered by the other patients' experiences”. Her own feelings felt invalidated through other people who seemingly were going through “so much worse”. All of the therapy sessions consisted of group meetings, which could be skipped if patients did not feel up to talking. However, to be released, patients must eventually engage in group meetings to cooperate with the program and make progress. She reported feeling isolated from being kept in a confined space with other patients who came off as threatening. 

After just one day, her and her parents agreed that this hospital was not suitable for her. Regardless of her and her parents wanting her to come home, she was not able to leave until she was approved to leave by the doctor. She was kept in the facility for five days. It was not until she was advocated by a social worker to be discharged. Ultimately, after her stay at the hospital she had higher feelings of depression and anxiety. She in turn did not recommend getting admitted into a mental hospital unless you are severely a danger to yourself or others.

This interview gave me a lot of insight into just one circumstance of a mental health center. Of course many factors come into play when examining these institutions. Many people have had beneficial experiences in these centers. However it is important to note the instances where things went wrong. Many problems tend to repeat themselves and it is those that need to be worked towards changing. 

I was shocked by the details I received about her getting prescribed with various medications at once so quickly. I would suspect that more would have to go into diagnosing a patient. Such as figuring out if medication would be a good option for the patient and if so, then decide on which kinds would be most beneficial. This interview ultimately fueled my advocacy towards improving mental hospitals. It further gave me an inside perspective of what patients actually experience when seeking mental health help.

It is important for higher ups, the people who can make something happen, to be made more aware of the recurring issues happening in mental hospitals. Many Americans struggle with their mental health and are too scared to enter programs that could help. This is due to a fear of hospitals potentially causing more harm than good. Today’s society needs a safety net to provide them with reliable guidance on how to manage their problems and allow them to heal. 

[institutional-secrets]

Book Review

While on the search for answers regarding America’s mental health epidemic, I came across the book Committed: The Battle over Involuntary Psychiatric Care, by Dinah Miller and Annette Hanson. This peer reviewed book was published by John Hopkins University Press and edited by Jackie Wehmueller. 

This book's purpose is to discuss the current debate over involuntary commitment of patients in mental health hospitals. This is achieved through various perspectives including first hand patient experiences, clinicians, advocates, and opponents of involuntary commitment. The authors captivate readers to learn more about seclusion and restraint, involuntary medication, and involuntary electroconvulsive therapy; which are all written in the context of civil rights.

The authors present two individuals who underwent involuntary hospitalization and treatment. Their experiences had very opposite outcomes, one where the hospitalization benefitted the patient, and the other instance in which it caused more harm to the patient. The authors remained unbiased when presenting both sides of each argument. Well known sources such as the Treatment Advocacy Center, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), and the American Psychiatric Association (APA) advocated for involuntary hospitalization. While leaders of the Citizens Commission on Human Rights, Mind Freedom International, the National Empowerment Center, among others, took an opposing stance on involuntary hospitalization. It is important to note the reliability of the sources used throughout the book. They are all distinguished groups who obtain credibility and have high accuracy of information. 

Interestingly, I was surprised to see NAMI and APA supporting involuntary treatment. I have used these organizations in much of my research as a trustworthy source. In my personal opinion, I have come to disagree with the implementation of involuntary hospitalization. With this, I was disheartened to hear that organizations that have been useful to me promote an obstruction of civil rights to mental patients. 

The potential audience of this book pertains to readers anywhere from high school level and above. Some preliminary knowledge about mental institutions and their legal implications would be helpful to know when reading the text. Despite this, the book was very understandable and does not use complicated terminology. At the same time, the text is not dumbed down to the point that it becomes repetitive or tedious to read. This book would be a great read for people who are intrigued by flaws within mental institutions to help them fully grasp the complications with the system and why it is so difficult to change. 

As a consumer of mental health, I found this book touching. Since it comes from psychiatrists, it is relieving to hear that they recognize that problems exist within the system and they are not being ignored. They explain complexities of both sides of involuntary hospitalization in simple terms to enable readers to fully grasp the whole picture of why this remains such a controversial topic. The author's jobs outside of the journalism in this book, are to diagnose and medicate mental patients. With clearly spelling out all aspects of both sides, they take a risk of potentially endangering their own work.

For example, the book mentions an intriguing finding by Dr. Thomas Insel, a former director of the National Institute of Mental Health. He publicly stated that patients suffering from schizophrenia in the long term benefit from using less medication (116). The authors also include that researchers have found that increased use of antidepressants in patients has contributed to rising suicide rates; as well as accounting for other acts of violence including mass murders (116). The authors are open and honest, and include evidence that questions their own area of work. Their intentions of research are clear: to look for answers with facts and not with any bias. 

As if involuntary hospitalization was not debatable enough, this book opens discussion of gun violence. The authors delve into the link between mass shootings and untreated mental illness. Advocates of involuntary mental health care surmise that since mentally ill individuals make up a large amount of mass shootings, that people with severe mental illness should be involuntarily contained into hospitals. As mentioned in the “Before we get started” in Committed, what many do not realize is that people with psychiatric disorders are more of a danger to themselves than they are to others in most cases. In fact, a greater risk factor of extreme violence is substance abuse (xvii). 

Evidently, this book contains accurate and trustworthy information that is beneficial for researchers. All different viewpoints are explored within the text coming from licensed doctors, psychiatrists, institution workers, and psych patients themselves. I believe it to be an effective tool when studying operations and outcomes of mental hospitals. Ultimately I was very satisfied with the information I was able to gain when studying this book. I would definitely recommend this book to readers who are interested with issues in mental health care systems to accurately consider all standpoints.

[institutional-secrets]

Reflection of Preliminary Research

Utilizing resources from the library largely expanded my search and variety of information on my topic. Getting used to the library catalog was a trial and error experience. I found that using short and broad phrases or words directed me to a wider scope of resources to evaluate and connect to my topic. I used phrases such as: “mental illness stigma”, “involuntary psychiatric treatment”, “social mental illness”, “psychoactive drug effects”, and “behavioral therapy”. Looking up these broad topics provided me with many resources to look through.

I was able to refine my search by applying filters such as “ebook”, “available in library”, and “online access”. This allowed me to easily find physical books, ebooks, and documentaries to use for my research. Two books I found in the catalog were located right near each other when I went to find them in person. The library system being organized by topic was helpful because I was able to find other books I did not see online that appealed to me.

I expected my topic to have limited options because when looking up mental hospitals, results that pop up are either about old asylums or new and “improved” mental health hospitals. Fortunately, I was able to find some sources that discussed stigmas of mental health, flaws within mental health facilities, and ideas of taking America off of psychoactive drugs.

[institutional-secrets]

Sally Zinman Profile

After some research, I was able to find a mental health advocate who has dealt with mental illness and the flaws within the system. An article reveals that Zinman was admitted to a mental hospital while dealing with anorexia. At the institution she was mistreated by her doctors through abuse and forcing her into an isolated cellar for two months. After being discharged she found trends of people who were also traumatized by their experiences in mental institutions.

Instead of letting this event ruin her life, she turned towards creating an opportunity for herself to heal and help others. According to the National Association for Rights Protection and Advocacy (NARPA), she founded the Mental Patients Rights Association, Alameda County Network of Mental Health Clients, Coalition for Alternatives in Mental Health, among many other organizations to help aid people with mental disabilities to support them socially and financially. Zinman's work was important because she acknowledged individuals who were failed by the system, just like she was, and served as a voice to people who felt helpless.

An interview conducted by SoberRecovery revealed what Zinman considered to be good mental health support. She stated that "Most people talk about medical needs and psychiatric drugs and medication, but it’s much bigger and fuller than that. It’s dealing with people’s housing. Affordable and safe housing. Income. We, like everybody else, want jobs. Employment. People’s spiritual life. Friendship. Really, services that address that whole spectrum of a human being" (Zinman 2016).

This quote stood out to me because she simplifies basic needs and connects them to being the root to many people's mental health issues. Her organizations all contained components involving socialization, support groups, food service, money management, housing, as well as many other elements that would alleviate the stress of people's lives.

[institutional-secrets]

America's Mental Health Epidemic

Physiatrists have been conducting studies for years to find a cure to mental illness through different types of drugs. In recent years there has been a spike in depression and anxiety in which experts are trying to find a solution. Current news have shown that doctors are seeking use through “magic mushrooms”, a hallucinogenic drug which obtains doses of psilocybin as a cure for various mental illnesses. 

In America, as of 1971, psilocybin has been declared as a schedule I substance. This means that it is deemed as hazardous to the public health and holds no therapeutic value. Up until recently, more countries are becoming open to the idea of legalizing these mushrooms for medical use. Although most countries still have the substance labeled as illegal, many countries decriminalize the use of mushrooms by making it a low priority for law enforcement and by imposing minimal penalties for possession of the drug. 

A study published in 2022 revealed that individuals suffering from major depression disorder who underwent psilocybin-assisted treatment generated large and stable antidepressant effects up to twelve months after treatment. This study is very new and requires more testing however the results produced so far are seemingly effective. 

I am an advocate for bettering people suffering from mental illness long term. Although this new medicine may be the solution to some, there is currently not enough research to be able to implement it as a solution. From this, I would like to emphasize the importance of working towards societal changes that would overall change the mindsets of people today. 

Johann Hari explores societal components attributing to factors of depression and anxiety through his book titled Lost Connections: Uncovering the Real Causes of Depression. An article outlines his main ideas through our society and culture being disconnected. This relates to disconnection from meaningful work, being disconnected from others through social isolation, lacking meaningful values, searching for social approval, and disconnection through materialism. 

In my future posts, I will cover the effects these elements have on society and how working towards solving these issues will try to break the epidemic of mental health in America.

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Our topics have similarities when it comes to questioning the meaning behind events. Maybe you could incorporate a psycho-analysis of Elisa Lam's mental health to develop further theories of her strange actions. Additionally, you could talk about how mysteries as such tend to happen to individuals with mental illness so the crimes could be covered up. In this, officials rule people's insanity as the reason behind these mysterious acts, rather than looking for the person who could have done this crime. You could also utilize statistics of inconclusive deaths that were acted upon by people with mental illness and make a connection between the studies you find. Good Luck and I am eager to see what more you find on your topic!

Plunge head first into my post!

One of the first cases that caught my eye was the case of Elisa Lam. Ever since seeing this case on the Netflix show, "Crime Scene: The Vanishing at the Cecil Hotel", I was immediately intrigued by all mysteries unsolved.

In accordance with Publishers Weekly, a book they reviewed known as Gone at Midnight: The Mysterious Death of Elisa Lam, states that "Investigative journalist Anderson looks into the case of 21-year-old Elisa Lam, a student diagnosed as bipolar who vanished from L.A.'s seedy Cecil Hotel one day in 2013, in this outstanding debut. As days went by, residents of the hotel began to complain about the water quality and pressure."

After almost 3 weeks, a maintenance worker proceeded to the roof to inspect the hotel's water tanks. Unfortunately he ultimately found Elisa nude and deceased floating in one of them. The coroner ruled her death an accident by drowning with her manic-depressive illness being a determinant.

According to CBC News, "Medication was found among her belongings, but tests were inconclusive as to the presence of the medication in her bloodstream."

Jake Anderson explores this case in his novel and ponders as to whether this was self slaughter, a psychotic breakdown, or if something more sinister is involved here. Something about this case just does not sit right with me especially the elevator footage. In this footage Elisa is seen to be making strange gestures with her arms, which makes me wonder if she was communicating with someone off-camera.

To this day, web sleuths are still currently trying to search for the truth about what happened to Lam on February 1st, 2013. As outlandish as this case may seem, it gets even more puzzling. While watching the Netflix show, Crime Scene: The Vanishing at the Cecil Hotel, I came to a few theories.

As you can see in the gif below, there seems to be another foot in the footage. The movement of that foot does not go along with the movements of Elisa. I also found it strange that the elevator doors never shut and the only way for that to occur is someone continuously pressing the button right?? This all may sound a bit farfetched but that is for you to decide.

[institutional-secrets]

Background

Mental institutions in America have come a long way since the opening of the first official Insane Asylum by Dr. Thomas Bond and Benjamin Franklin in 1751. Though these asylums have a dark past, it is important to have preliminary knowledge of the history behind these asylums to understand how they have evolved to what they are today. 

According to "The History of Asylums", the objective of asylums in the early 1700’s was to establish an institution that treats individuals who have physical and mental impairments and provide them with supervision to ensure safety and shelter. The asylums had moral intentions from the start; however, with an increase of patients in need, the morals of these institutions dissipated.

The same source then reveals that when the demand of these institutions rose, there was not enough funding, workers, and resources to give them proper treatment. This resulted in a shift of focus from treating patients with care, to trying to “cure” them as fast as possible. Due to a lack of resources, most patients faced maltreatment and were viewed as burdens to society. Horrific practices were tested on them such as trepanation, where doctors drilled holes into patients skulls to release the mental illness out from their blood. As well as electroshock therapy which paralyzed and left patients with broken backs.

On top of these life threatening procedures, patients were neglected by caregivers, had hazardous living conditions such as freezing temperatures, no ventilation, and poor nutrition. In asylums this torture was masked as help and isolated the mentally ill from society instead of actually treating their disorders. 

It was not until the 1840’s that the maltreatment of patients in asylums was addressed. Dorothea Dix was an important figure who advocated against the system by evaluating the system. She did this by visiting asylums and taking note of the treatment of patients which was reported to state legislation. Due to her efforts she was able to turn asylums into state-regulated mental institutions. This ultimately pushed mental facilities to provide temporary stays, not to cure patients, but to help them learn how to live with their illness and  manage their condition to keep them from getting worse.

In knowing this past, it can be seen that mental institutions have moved in a better direction. In this blog, I plan to investigate the motives of mental institutions today and get an inside look of what it's really like to be admitted into a psychiatric hospital. I will explore the flaws that still exist within the system and maintain a focus on the rise of depression, anxiety, and suicide in our current day and age.

Anti Depression pills such as SSRIs have been around since 1987 and are prescribed to treat mental illness largely today. This seems to be a quick fix to put people in need to make them think that they are doing something to help. Why is mental illness progressing more than ever and why are there no new solutions? It is much easier and profitable for pharmaceutical companies to prescribe someone with medication, or sedate them rather than really find the source of people's problems. I believe that much of this problem relies on ignorance towards sociological issues, and that we need to focus on addressing issues and trends instilled to our society to diminish the cycle of the mental health crisis that resides in America.