At least 50 percent of the two million Americans that suffer from severe mental health illnesses also abuse drugs or alochol.”* This statistic is likely not a surprise to those whose loved one is mentally ill. What is important to know is that substance abuse makes it very difficult for mental health providers to make an accurate diagnosis. Many mental health disorders can be masked or aggravated by substance abuse.

A mental health disorder combined with substance abuse is known as a “dual diagnosis.” Often patients with a dual diagnosis use one disorder to shield the other because he or she is in denial, ashamed, or wants to hide one of the disorders.

Even when properly diagnosed, treatment for a patient with a dual-diagnosis may be difficult. Many who take medication for a mental disorder continue to self-medicate with alcohol or drugs. Mental healthcare patients with a substance abuse problem are almost twice as likely to drop out of outpatient treatment as patients without a substance abuse problem.

“In the short term, we need to address (both disorders) simultaneously,” said Alan I. Leshner, Ph.D., former director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse. “So for acute treatment and stabilization, focus on both disorders at once.”

A comprehensive residential mental illness program such as Pasadena Villa does just that. This approach provides mental health patients with the consistent care, medication, counseling, reinforcement and life skills they need to face, manage, and treat their disorders. Extended recovery time in a safe, professional environment enables patients to ultimately live a happy, productive and healthy life.

*Alcohol, Drug Abuse, and Mental Health Administration

A few weeks back I had the pleasure to attend the ATCPCC in Santa Barbara, CA with my associate Aubrey. Although I have attended something quite similar in Vero Beach, FL this by far exceeded my expectations. It’s a unique concept that enables organizations that specialize in areas such as addiction treatment; eating disorders, mental health, extended care, sober living, private practitioners, interventionists, etc.to come together in a single forum and present in a formal manner their specialty areas and how we as helping professionals can provide the best care possible to individuals who are seeking assistance. It was a networking opportunity of epic proportions if you will. There were plenty of opportunities to re-connect with individuals I have already known and worked with. Many are close friends. As well as opportunities to connect with new individuals representing programs that I have either heard of but didn’t know much about, or new programs that I was unfamiliar with. There were about 57 different programs attending this conference.

I believe that we as professionals have a responsibility to provide the consumer with the most accurate information to help them obtain the best clinically appropriate care in a manner that is compassionate, respectful and cost-effective. I think that attending conferences like this allows each and every one of us the opportunity to increase our knowledge base and to pinpoint exactly what the best program would be when we receive a call from a family in crisis. We all have our specialties. Pasadena Villa’s is for the primary treatment of mood and thought disorders. A program I am very proud to be associated with. When I get a call from a family that is asking for assistance that does not meet the clinical criteria that we have established (i.e. they may be looking for a program specializing in the primary treatment of eating disorders or gender specific addiction treatment), you better be sure that I will provide them with several options that will meet their needs. I have a tremendous amount of passion for what I do and understand personally the needs that families have when in crisis. It’s these types of conferences that allows me to fully understand the philosophies and clinical design of the top programs that are available.

Ok, now that I am off my soapbox I must say that Santa Barbara certainly is a beautiful community. Besides being a little out of my price range to buy a house, it has some stunning views and wonderful restaurants. I hope to be back at this conference next year.
By the way, this was my very first blog…ever. So thank you for reading this.
Tom Maisel, RN, MBA

We just returned from a successful luncheon in both Chattanooga and Knoxville, Tennessee.  There was a good response from the local mental health professionals and programs.  Pasadena Villa in collaboration with Center for Professional Excellence, Recovery Ranch, River Oaks Hospital, The Menninger Clinic and Willingway Hospital sponsored the event.  Everyone was able to spend some quality one on one time getting to know the services provided in the area as well as share our own programs and services as well.  Thank you to all that attended and we look forward to the next one!

For someone who suffers with a mental disability, the transition from living at home to living independently poses a number of challenges. The everyday chores and duties that the average person takes for granted may not be so easily accomplished by someone with a mental disability such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, especially if he’s been cocooned during his earlier years and his life skills are underdeveloped or have not been tested. The US Government Accountability Office estimates that in 2006 at least 2.4 million young adults between the ages of 18 and 26 suffered from a serious mental illness. According to researchers, public officials, and mental health advocates, these individuals can have difficulty in making the transition to adulthood, including finding suitable housing, as the services that can assist in this process aren’t available to them. So what can be done to help someone with a mental disability make the move to living on his own a successful one?

It’s important to identify what skills are needed for a young adult with mental disabilities to become independent and, if applicable, how they can be developed. In order for an individual to be able to live on his own successfully, he will need to be able to take care of his personal needs – dressing, eating, hygiene – as well as manage simple household chores such as the laundry and grocery shopping. But how well an individual is able to carry out these tasks will depend on his experience to date. For example, if he’s been involved in chores at home, then he will be better prepared than if he’s had no exposure at all. One way to prepare a young adult for independent living is to get him involved in the types of daily tasks that he’ll be undergoing himself when living alone. This will not only equip him with the necessary experience and skills, but also help to instill a degree of confidence in him. Coping with these tasks isn’t merely a matter of performing certain actions; they require decisions which a person with a mental disability may not be able to confidently make unassisted. Decisions must also be made when dealing with financial matters such as paying bills and managing a bank account, tasks which a young adult with a mental disability may not have experience of but which are all necessary if he wants to live independently.

It’s easy to overlook the simple everyday actions and behaviors that a person carries out that keep him safe and protect his well-being, and which, for a person with a mental disability, may prove challenging. For example, reading and understanding food labels is something that few people who live independently would ever have difficulty with, yet neglecting to do this, which an individual with a mental disability could conceivably do, could result in unfortunate consequences. Likewise, being able to cook and prepare food safely is another important factor for someone living alone. It’s these sorts of issues that have to be addressed before a person with a mental disability makes the move to live on his own, and, if necessary, support should be in place to provide help where it’s needed.

Depending on the severity of an individual’s mental disability, it may be wise for him to live close to support services such as his family, social worker, or a mental illness center. Factors such as proximity to his workplace will also have to be taken into account when deciding on a location, as will his mode of transportation. For example, if an individual’s disability prevents him from driving and he relies on public transportation to travel to and from work, then he’ll need to be located somewhere he can easily access it (he may also need help with understanding how the system works, e.g. bus or train schedules, routes, and fares).

There are also the emotional aspects to living independently that need to be factored in for someone with a mental disability. Some young adults relish the freedom of living on their own after being under the watchful eye of their parents for years. However, someone with a mental disability may find it difficult to cope with not having his parents or carers in his immediate environment, particularly if he’s not co-habiting or living in some form of assisted living accommodation. And although it may be tempting for a parent or care taker to visit every day to check on how he’s doing, unless it’s absolutely vital, this should be resisted. The transition to independent living for someone with a mental disability can be difficult for both the individual making that transition and for those he’s making the break from. However, it’s important that all parties understand why the move is being made and the benefits everyone will gain from it.

There are a number of programs set up to help young adults with mental disabilities make the transition to living on their own. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration holds group meetings and provides personal counselors to help individuals apply for jobs, find accommodation, ride public transportation, and cook and clean for themselves. At Pasadena Villa, our Social Integration Model immerses clients into real life activities within the community thus preparing them for a life of independence.

It may take a little more adjustment for someone with a mental disability to make the transition to independent living but it’s not an insurmountable hurdle. In fact, almost a third of people with schizophrenia in the US live independently (approximately 28 percent), according to Surviving Schizophrenia: A Manual for Families, Patients, and Providers by E. Fuller Torrey .[1] Living independently is a rite of passage that can be experienced by all young adults. There’s no reason why young adults with mental disabilities shouldn’t enjoy living independently in the same way other young adults do. Providing the necessary support networks are in place, this rite of passage is one that they too can experience and benefit from.

Schizophrenia is a mental disorder currently affecting a little more than 1% of the worldwide population. Those who suffer from it often have difficulty discerning between reality and fantasy. They often hallucinate and withdraw themselves from social interactions. Their thoughts are frequently disordered and illogical. Those who live with the disorder face the risk of experiencing schizophrenic episodes which  may cause them to harm themselves or others. Schizophrenics are much more likely to attempt suicide than those in the general population. Despite popular belief, schizophrenics are not often violent against others. Most often, they are withdrawn and prefer solitude.  There currently is no cure for any of the varying types of schizophrenic disorders.  However, many schizophrenics are able to live fairly independent lives depending upon the severity of their symptoms. With medication, most schizophrenics are able to have some control over the disorder.

It is estimated that approximately 28% of schizophrenics live independently, 20% live in group homes, and about 25% live with family members. Sadly, the remaining 27% percent are either homeless, living in jails or prisons, or living in hospitals or nursing homes. Many researchers believe that half of all persons with severe psychiatric illnesses, including schizophrenic disorders, are left untreated. Reasons for this may include the general public’s ignorance about where to seek help and the high cost of treatment. Also, some mentally ill people believe that they can solve the problem on their own without seeking medical treatment. One thing to remember about schizophrenia is that there is no cure for the disorder. Those affected by it must endure a life-long battle. Living independently with the disease does not mean living in complete isolation and control over one’s well-being. Schizophrenics must be surrounded by a community that they can trust. (more…)

For so many parents of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders, the most daunting day ahead of them is that day on which their child moves out of the house, out of the immediate grasp of their parents’ helping hands, to live on their own. Often accompanying the fear of that day is the question of if their child will be well-suited enough for life on their own and whether or not they will be able to handle the daily demands of independent living. The worry is as reasonable as it is common. A parent’s concern for their child’s well-being is forever, and so too is it naturally amplified when the child is autistic and has displayed a need for assistance for so long. Fortunately however, it is a struggle people have confronted and surpassed for generations now, leaving in their wake wisdom and the most discerning, comprehensive, and compassionate solutions they could find.

Variations of Autistic Disorders

Autism Spectrum Disorders affect roughly 1%-2% of the worldwide population and the numbers of children diagnosed seem to be progressively growing each year. The term Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) encompasses the three branches of the autism disorder: Autism, Asperger Syndrome, and Pervasive Developmental Disorder – Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS). (more…)

Bipolar disorder is a psychiatric illness that causes severe changes in one’s mood within a quick span of time. There are several different types of the disorder, all causing severe and sometimes life threatening effects if left untreated. It is also commonly known as manic-depressive disorder.  Approximately 5.7 million Americans live with some form of Bipolar disorder.  While the condition is not generally evident until the individual is around 18-25 years of age, some people may develop it in early childhood or even later in life.

Bipolar disorder causes extreme high and low mood swings. Sometimes mixed episodes can occur, where there are feelings of both mania (high) and depression (low). These episodes are severe enough to affect and interrupt the individual’s daily life. During these episodes, people with bipolar disorder may have uncontrollable bouts of energy, be overly happy or sad, act on impulse (including sexually), engage in risky behaviors, go on shopping sprees, or have thoughts of worthlessness, suicide, or hopelessness. People may also experience a change in their appetite and sleeping patterns. (more…)

Recently, actress Glenn Close spoke out against letting words over power us. Words like depression, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder.

This is a cause close to her heart. Close’s sister has bipolar disorder and her nephew has schizo-affective disorder. She refers to her sister and nephew as her heroes because of the struggles they face and overcome every day. They were her inspiration to get involved and fight the stigma associated with mental illnesses.

Statistics show that 1 in 6 adults and 1 in 10 children suffer from a diagnosed mental illness. That leaves room for a population of people with mental illnesses that are never diagnosed, meaning  a sizable portion of the U.S. population suffers not only from the everyday struggles of mental illnesses (often unaware), but also with stereotypes and negative misconceptions about their condition.

Close is on a mission to change things. She has partnered with Foundation House, the Child and Adolescent Bipolar Foundation, and Garen and Shari Staglin of International Mental Health Resource Organization to start a campaign called Bring Change 2 Mind.

The campaign is designed to combat misconceptions and assumptions about mental illness by providing easy access to reliable, accurate information and connect those in need with education, support, hotlines, and volunteer opportunities. These resources may be found at www.bringchange2mind.org.

“It is just the beginning, but I hope it will give people the courage to talk about mental illness, to lose their fear of the words, to conquer shame and stigma,” Close said. “There is nothing to hide. Schizophrenia. Bipolar disorder. Depression. I have no fear. We are all connected, and none of us should ever feel marginalized, stigmatized, and alone.”

Living on your own is hard enough without the added difficulty of dealing with Asperger’s Syndrome[1] . According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Strokes, Asperger’s Syndrome is “an Autism Spectrum Disorder that inhibits a person’s ability to function in society”. Estimates suggest that two out of every 10,000 children suffer from Asperger’s Syndrome, with the distribution being three boys for every girl.

Several different symptoms are present in those with Asperger’s Syndrome — or aspies, as they call themselves. The most common is difficulty in social interaction. This causes an already challenging task — living on your own — to become even more difficult. Despite the challenge, many aspies have learned to live — and even flourish — once they have their own place. (more…)