Mental Illness and Mass Shooting

By: Melody Rabor-Dizon

 

Knowing what we know, we still have very little information about the lone gunman in Las Vegas that took the lives of 59 people and wounded more than 500 victims. What made him tick? What made him do it? What were his motives? What triggered him?

I want to shed light on mental illness. Mental illness just like any other disease must be properly diagnosed and treated not only because of the stigma it brings, but less people are wanting to get themselves evaluated due to lesser funding and costs will be out of pocket.

Per National Institute for Health, historically, there have been few central assumptions that frequently arise in the aftermath of mass shootings:

• Mental illness causes gun violence,

• Psychiatric diagnosis can predict gun crime before it happens,

• US mass shootings teach us to fear mentally ill loners, and

• Because of the complex psychiatric histories of mass shooters, gun control “won’t prevent” another Mandalay – Bay event.

Though each of these statements is true in particular instances, it is undeniable that persons who have shown violent tendencies and are socially marginalized should not have access to weapons that could be used to harm themselves or others. Notions such as enhanced psychiatric attention may well prevent particular crimes are more complicated than they often seem. There are other variables that need to be considered such as the need for more investment in mental health support networks or improved state laws and procedures regarding gun access. I don’t even want to go there (gun control laws, it’s a whole other topic)

Dr. Michelle Heyland , who is an Assistant Professor of Community, Systems, and Mental Health Nursing at the Rush University College of Nursing , says, current surveys have found that the majority of people believe that mental illness is directly correlated to violence. While it seems an easy place to point the finger, the reality is most individuals with mental illness are not violent. Research supports that only three to five percent of all violent acts are committed by someone with mental illness. Instead they suffer from symptoms that cause a state of internal hell, not one they are wanting to push onto others. And in cases where the suspect ends up dead, we are left with whatever psychiatric records exist, if any. Without being able to conduct a psychiatric evaluation after-the-fact, we are only left with speculation.

In reality, people with mental illness are actually considered a vulnerable population. As a result they are more likely to experience an act of violence against them. People with mental illness are more likely to die from homicide than those without mental illness. They may have a harder time getting and maintaining employment. The average lifespan is decreased. Many are financially exploited. This population most often becomes the victims; they are not the ones victimizing.

Let’s get a few things straight. Mental illness cannot be lumped into one distinct disorder with a set of symptoms that definitively leads to violence. There are a variety of different mental illnesses.

When people have depression, they have a sad mood, loss of interest in things they used to enjoy, changes in sleep and appetite, and may even have thoughts of hurting themselves. With anxiety disorders, people feel excessive worry and can experience physical manifestations of this worry such as increased heart rate and stomach upset. With psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia, people have a reality that may be different than the reality of others. They can experience hallucinations in which case they may hear voices. However, hatred is not a mental illness. Terrorism is not a mental illness. Blaming violence on mental illness, used as an umbrella term, is dangerous in and of itself.

It would be negligent to not acknowledge that serious mental illness has been identified in some mass shooters. With the rate of mental illness being 1 in 5 people, this is no surprise. In some cases, the shooter’s symptoms may have more directly caused them to act in that way.

So, the question is, are there warning signs, red flags that can signal trouble is imminent? And if you notice them in someone you know, what should you do about it?

Dr. Alan Lipman, a clinical psychologist and director of the Center for the Study of Violence in Washington., D.C., says there are three types of people who go over the edge like that: the person is psychotic and has lost touch with reality, the person is depressed and feeling hopeless, or the person is a psychopath and enjoys killing. “It’s always going to be one of these three. People don’t always just “snap” — it’s “not always so quick. “There’s a period of buildup, then there’s more anger and hopelessness, and then, finally, there is the trigger — something that causes them to go from just an angry person to being a killer.

What are some of the warning signs that someone in your life might snap and be capable of acts of violence?

1) Notice or look for someone who becomes more withdrawn from others — friends, family, co-workers.

2) They begin to lose interest in their usual activities: They stop exercising, listening to music, going to work — the things that mattered most to them, no longer matter.

3) They are always complaining about the unfairness of it all, ill-treatment by others, post things on the Web. People provide warnings, verbal or written complaints about the hopelessness of the world.

4) They begin to have frequent interpersonal conflicts with others. They become more tense and prone to feeling insulted or slighted.

5) Look for signs that they are making plans for the end like giving away treasured objects, close bank accounts, etc.

Is there anything one can do to stop someone, once they have decided to do something?

Absolutely: A small intervention now can prevent huge tragedy later on. Someone has to recognize these signs. You have to give them hope beyond the tragedy that enrages them at the moment. You can turn them away from these crimes. Most people don’t see the warning signs though — there’s a tendency not to see these changes in people. Friends can help people in these situations, but they usually need some professional help, as well. Professional help is the better choice.

Coping with the Psychological Trauma of a Mass Shooting

How to cope psychologically when the world no longer feels safe, according to Psychology Health, Dr. Melanie Greenberg :

Traumas create long-term distress not only through the neurobiological effects of experiencing a threat to life but also because they shatter our assumptions about the world. Specifically, they challenge the assumptions that:

• The world is safe and predictable

• The world is just and meaningful; good people experience good outcomes

• The world is benevolent; people are inherently good

These assumptions are not necessarily true, but they can be psychologically healthy and adaptive. The assumption of safety protects us from living with the fear of random violence and death so we can get on with our lives, do our work, date, marry, raise families, care for our loved ones, innovate, and build new ventures. The assumption of predictability helps us feel protected by making wise and prudent decisions, being responsible, and not taking unnecessary risks. The assumption of a just world helps us feel protected by being a good person; to believe that the reward for doing the right thing is safety and the chance to build a happy and successful life. The assumption of benevolence helps us see the best in other people so we have enough trust to build new relationships, forgive others, and function in a society where we depend on others in business or in tasks of daily life.

Traumas shatter our assumptions about the world

A trauma like the mass shooting in Vegas puts all of these assumptions into question, making us feel like we’re standing on shaky ground. We might turn to religion to restore our belief in ultimate justice and goodness in the universe. We might try to think of ways to differentiate ourselves from the victims so we can feel safe (e.g., “I wouldn’t go walking down that dark alley”). This can lead to unnecessary victim-blaming and lack of empathy. In the case of the Vegas shooting, it’s not even possible. There is nothing inherently risky or unwise about attending a music festival or taking the family for a vacation in Las Vegas.

What you can do:

So how do we deal with the fact that the world isn’t safe, that there are traumatized, desperate, angry, malevolent, or psychotic people out there who can create destruction and chaos? There is no perfect answer, but the strategies below may help you get back to your normal life:

1. Acknowledge your feelings about the event Don’t try to just shove your feelings down because that just doesn’t work long-term. Take some time to connect with your anger, fear, or sadness. Feel it in your body and understand that these are normal reactions to a trauma—even one experienced vicariously.

2. Practice radical acceptance Acknowledge that the world isn’t completely safe and that you don’t have complete control over what happens to you, but make a decision not to let this derail you. It’s ok to compartmentalize and deliberately focus your attention back on your own life and what is most important for you to do today. There’s no need to feel guilty. You didn’t do anything wrong.

3. Don’t overestimate the personal danger When mass shootings happen, the horror of the event makes us overestimate the likelihood of this type of event happening to us. In reality, there are millions of people who go to concerts or visit Vegas without experiencing harm. Try to get out of the “fight or flight” alarm response and take a step back so you can logically evaluate the likelihood of personal danger.

4. Do something active to cope Taking action to soothe your feelings, express your anger, or reach out to the victims can be very helpful. Talk to other people, donate money, or write down your thoughts and feelings. Think about volunteering for a cause like stopping child abuse, which is often the cause of adult violence. Advocate for better prevention and treatment of mental health and addictions.

5. Try to live a meaningful life despite societal trauma

Focus on the good that you can do in the world and the things that make your life meaningful. You can’t stop all the bad things in the world but you can live by your values, speak up against injustice, and be a positive influence in your family and community.

The best response to mass shootings and other traumas is to acknowledge and express the pain, share it with others, take steps to soothe and comfort yourself, and then take action to build a positive, healthy life and contribute to creating a better world despite the challenges.

NO HOLDS BARRED:

Not all mass shooters are mentally ill. Not everyone with a mental illness is violent. This vulnerable population needs our protection from the stigma that works to bring it down. While the mental health system is plagued with issues from shortages in providers to funding cuts, lack of mental health treatment should not be the central focus of blame for perpetrators of mass violence. It’s time to take a more realistic look at the various factors driving these tragedies and shift our focus to real solutions. Mental illness becomes an easy cop- out for them. Let’s get to the real problem. I pray for this country every single day, for our leaders that they be guided on how to lead our nation. God bless us all!