"No One Wants a Crazy Person"
Only about five percent of violence is committed by people with serious mental illness. Those with schizophrenia are about two to four times more likely to commit violence than the average person but proper treatment significantly lowers that risk. Tragically, the severe stigma attached to mental illness delays early diagnosis and treatment.
Zac Pogliano
/ CBS NewsI recently interviewed Zac Pogliano (left), a 21-year-old man with schizophrenia. His diagnosis was delayed for one year because he was ashamed of telling anybody he was hearing voices. He told his mother, Laura, "No one wants a crazy person." Untreated, Zac had severe paranoia and delusions. Treated, his symptoms appear under control as he attends an outpatient psychiatric program and works towards independence.
I want you to meet Zac Pogliano and his loving mother and introduce them to everyone you know. They are perfect ambassadors for the fight against the stigma of mental illness. Zac, who has never been violent, told me, "People will judge you, especially after someone gets assaulted by a crazy guy. I could be that crazy guy." Yes, people with schizophrenia can have insight - and all sorts of other wonderful qualities, just like people without serious mental illness.
- "Stigma" of mental illness a setback for patients, society
- A question of access? Mental health and gun violence
One way to dispel myths about people with mental illness is to shine a light on them. Here is a link to a segment about Zac and Laura Pogliano that appeared last night on the CBS Evening News with Scott Pelley.
Watch the video above to hear more about Zac's story.
Popular in Health
- Consumer Reports 2013 sunscreen ratings: Which is tops?
- Surgeons remove 4-pound hairball from tiger 10 Photos
- Skin cancer self-exam: What to look for (PHOTOS)
- How to get in shape for your wedding
- Heartburn raises throat cancer risk but antacids may help
- Doctor: Gel manicures a potential skin cancer risk
- Cause of Alabama mystery illness cluster determined
- Drinking sugary drinks daily linked to kidney stones
In the period before shootings occurred, all these young men could have been interviewed and helped, but there was no safety net for them. Relatives did not detect early warning signs, or were not close enough during the period of crisis to ask for help.
In some cases, there was no safety net because would-be murderers with known psychiatric problems were not considered eligible for available programs. So, they were ignored, and left alone to become only worse.
Although there is a great difference between treatment of some conditions and others, the common prescription for most is having a stable point of reference, provided by a therapist (not necessarily a psychiatrist) or a specially-trained social worker.
And so all these preventable tragedies occurred anyway, because our country has not put a priority on treating aberrant behavior-- especially in youth-- by vigorous, early intervention.
As we build a better and more just society, we must learn from the Columbines of our recent history that we cannot afford to ignore those most in need. Helping them is an investment in the prosperity and security of the whole community-- an investment in our own future and that of our children.