Dual Diagnosis / Mental Health

just putting it out there as this was mentioned in the meth thread on several occassions.

In my job i see a variety of clients on a daily basis - i would say a good 60% now have dual diagnosis - although when i worked in the rehab i would at a estimate say over 90% with a lot of those not diagnosed.

I know in the Illawarra our psych units are full - a lot from cyrstal meth abuse and also cannabis - with psychotic episodes - and our MH system and workers can only do so much in a 24 hour period.

In the illawarra we used to have a 24 hour MH team but not anymore - not definately sure of the reasons but at a guess i would say lack of funding also safety issues - although now they do have 1 mental health nurse 24/7 at the emergency department in our local hospital.

The problem i have had previously is sending clients to A&E and for them to have to wait up to 6 hours to be seen - which is just not right as they are being sent there agitated and often in psychosis which doesnt help the bloody issue - sitting in a waiting room with psychosis???????????

I dont have the answers just wanted to put it out there and get others opinions and what they do.

take care

Hi PP, DD is a hidden problem imho, loads and loads ive always said who use , drugs Alchol have DD problems underyling , etc... Chicken egg scenario and not know it, once they do its a huge relief and they can start working on getting a good Mental Health plan in order, CBT therapy in combination with medication etc, I'ts a must or the using will esculate imho, I just wonder how many ppl attend NA /AA thinking there addicts when all along there self medicator who just need help/ therapy to treat there underlying issues, like the depressed client who drinks or the person with panic attacks who drinks to calm down etc.. they need to be taught skills then the using decreases or they can combine the two, addiction or dependance i guess,

http://www.theangrypharmacist.com/archives/2007/07/addiction_vs_de.html

Hello

I deal with clients that have mental health issues, as this can come hand in hand with substance misuse, or some form of dependancy issue.

My role is to prvent people becoming homless and also to get people housing via the local authority. This is not a easy task especially dual diagnosis.

Any ideas how you tackle the issue I am looking for some good practice.


Thanks

World mental health day 10th October 2007

World Mental Health Day was observed for the first time in 1992. It was started as an annual activity of the World Federation for Mental Health by the then Deputy Secretary General Richard Hunter. The day is officially commemorated every year on October 10th.

The Mental Health Foundation celebrates World Mental Health Day each year, using it as an opportunity to communicate with the general public about mental health issues.

The Foundation does not necessarily follow the themes chosen by the World Federation for Mental Health.

In 2007, we will be producing a report to coincide with World Mental Health Day. Unfortunately we will be unable to provide materials for other organisations this year, but please visit this website closer to the time for more information.

For further information about World Mental Health Day this year please visit the website of the World Federation of Mental Health. http://www.wfmh.com/wmhday/about.html

In 2006, we encouraged people to 'Make a Meal of it' by getting together to eat with their friends and families. More information about this campaign. http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/campaigns/wmhd/making-a-meal-of-it/

What is Mental Illness ?

Mental illnesses are medical conditions that disrupt a person’s thinking, feeling, mood, ability to relate to others, and daily functioning. Just as diabetes is a disorder of the pancreas, mental illnesses are medical conditions that often result in a diminished capacity for coping with the ordinary demands of life.

Serious mental illnesses include major depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder, post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and borderline personality disorder. The good news about mental illness is that recovery is possible.

Mental illnesses can affect persons of any age, race, religion, or income. Mental illnesses are not the result of personal weakness, lack of character, or poor upbringing. Mental illnesses are treatable. Most people diagnosed with a serious mental illness can experience relief from their symptoms by actively participating in an individual treatment plan.

In addition to medication treatment, psychosocial treatment such as cognitive behavioral therapy, interpersonal therapy, peer support groups, and other community services can also be components of a treatment plan and that assist with recovery. The availability of transportation, diet, exercise, sleep, friends, and meaningful paid or volunteer activities contribute to overall health and wellness, including mental illness recovery.

Mental illnesses usually strike individuals in the prime of their lives, often during adolescence and young adulthood. All ages are susceptible, but the young and the old are especially vulnerable.
Without treatment the consequences of mental illness for the individual and society are staggering: unnecessary disability, unemployment, substance abuse, homelessness, inappropriate incarceration, suicide and wasted lives.

More useful links:

http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/campaigns/wmhd/

http://www.nami.org/Content/NavigationMenu/Inform_Yourself/About_Mental_Illness/About_Mental_Illness.htm

http://www.nami.org/Template.cfm?Section=Mental_Illness_Awareness_Week&Template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=35288

hello people, I hope im not putting this post in the wrong category or hijacking it. Sorry if this is the case.

Iv been ill with schizophrenia and only in the last 6 months roughly have I started to gain some real 'insight' to use mental health terminology. I weaned myself of meds about 2 years ago with the advice of my doctor, and have been reasonably well since then, but for no obvious reason seem to be doing vERY well in the last 6 months.

Some people I'v talked to say that in your late-ish 20's (im 28), the condition seems to improve dramatically, however relapse can occur after this time.

My question to anyone with any experience / knowledge in these fields is as follows: Would it be wise to consult a psych again and ask for some type of maintenance dose of anti-psychotics to help ensure thinks dont fall apart again? Or should I just leave it for now and see how things turn out?

Im enjoying not thinking Im being stalked by the neighbours and various others too much to have another relapse.... Its so hard to explain this to others, I know logically that nobody would want to stalk and harrass me, yet when you have these delusions it is so very real and you cant seem to talk yourself out of the paranoia..

Again I apologise if this has been posted in the wrong area of the board.

Cheers.

generic username... I'd go back to the same doctor / psych you have got advice from in the past and run your game plan by them in terms of medication and keep in touch with them if you can afford it as to how you are doing, especially when you are doing well.

Don't be scared by doing well... it happens sometimes to everyone. Enjoy, and if anything, if your existing doctors know you are doing well they will be reassured and you can continue a connection with them not just in negative times but good ones too. Involve them in both.

Hi generic_username,

Thanks tons for your post, no need to apologise :). I think that Dominic's already said what I would too, but here's my thoughts anyway. I'm glad to hear you are travelling ok at the moment. I know how hard it can be battling mental illness, myself I'm doing ok on my meds, very happy not to be planning my death each day, and I'd fall apart if I wasn't taking them, but you're obviously in a very different place to me. Congrats on how you've handled your illness over the last few years, it sounds like the good times you're having at the moment are definitely your own doing.

I know how you feel though, life is hell when your mental health issues are really out of hand, and if you're not on meds now and things are still going well, that could definitely be puzzling. Like Dominic said, everbody has times when they're doing well, even people battling mental health issues :). When you've been unhappy for sometime it can be a new experience, feeling relatively "normal", and I know when you've had alot of bad things happen in your life for some time, you can be just waiting for some crisis to occur and the mental illness to get outta control again. I know it's expensive but I'd ask your psych or doctor what they think, the people who have been treating you would have the best idea I guess. It's kinda different, but I have to go to my psych appointment this arvo, and last week I was a mess, but I don't think I have anything to talk about this week, I was thinkin I dunno what I'm going for really, but I do realise that I don't have to just go when I'm feeling bad, accessing meds and psychs is all about getting better, that's the idea, and just because you're feeling ok doesn't mean you couldn't benefit from some guidance, like you said to help ensure things don't fall apart again. But the people who know your condition the best are the ones to talk to, so I'd say have a chat with your psych.

thanks dominic and sk8r_rat for all thoughts and advice. For sure, Ill go and have a talk with my old doctors if I can get hold of them. Been thinking about it and worked out that part of my fear about going to see a shrink is going to someone who I dont know. One of my coping strategies is to keep my paranoia to myself, and it seems to work, although it would be good to have a professional to talk to once again ay.

Hope you are travelling ok sk8r_rat, read your story and it was touching, you've been through some very hard times.. but what i love about you is that you seem to come out of it being optimistic. :) unlike plenty of other mates / family of mine who cant even deal with minor life problems. Also read some of the posts under the "letter for Rudd" thread. Very interesting, he surely does need to make informed decisions by talking to the homeless and good service providers.

Hey generic, Its good to hear that you want to talk with your old doctors about it. Its always a good idea to be prepared rather than have things creep up on you. They might even be able to help you more at the moment while you are not suffering from the syptoms.

I hope everything works out for you.

Good Luck

- Joel