What are common mental illnesses present in the juvenile inmate population?

Commonly found mental health disorders in youth offenders include, affective disorders (major depression, persistent depression, and manic episodes), psychotic disorders, anxiety disorders (panic, separation anxiety, generalized anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder), disruptive …

How does juvenile incarceration affect mental health?

In 2006, the National Mental Health Association reported that the prevalence of disruptive behavior disorders among youth in juvenile justice systems is between 30 percent and 50 percent. Anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder in particular, also are prevalent among juvenile offenders, especially girls.

What is the relationship between bipolar disorder and crime?

First, there was an increased risk for violent crime among individuals with bipolar disorder. Most of the excess violent crime was associated with substance abuse comorbidity. Second, there was an increased risk for violent crime among the unaffected siblings of individuals with bipolar disorder.

What is the most common type of psychological disorder found in prisons?

In fact, according to the American Psychiatric Association, on any given day, between 2.3 and 3.9 percent of inmates in state prisons are estimated to have schizophrenia or other psychotic disorder; between 13.1 and 18.6 percent have major depression; and between 2.1 and 4.3 percent suffer from bipolar disorder.

Can a 14 year old have bipolar disorder?

Bipolar disorder affects both men and women. For many people, the first symptoms show up in their early twenties. However, research has shown that the first episode of bipolar disorder is occurring earlier: It often shows up in adolescence, and even children can have the disorder.

Can a 14 year old be diagnosed with bipolar?

Bipolar disorder in children is possible. It’s most often diagnosed in older children and teenagers, but bipolar disorder can occur in children of any age. As in adults, bipolar disorder in children can cause mood swings from the highs of hyperactivity or euphoria (mania) to the lows of serious depression.

What percentage of incarcerated youth have a mental illness?

Studies consistently show that up to 65 or 70 percent of youth held in American juvenile detention centers have a diagnosable mental illness. Further, a congressional study concluded that every day approximately 2,000 youth are incarcerated simply because community mental health services are unavailable.

What is a bipolar blackout?

During a manic episode, people with bipolar disorder can have what’s called a bipolar blackout. During a blackout, the individual is not aware of their surroundings or actions and has trouble remembering them afterward. This can make interacting with someone in a blackout very frustrating, but it doesn’t have to be.

Can bipolar be used as a defense in court?

This new law allows those who suffer from a mental condition, such as bipolar or schizophrenia, when that mental disorder played a significant role in the commission of the charged offense, to apply to have their cases diverted out of the criminal courts.

What are the key issues facing institutionalized juveniles?

Juveniles who are institutionalized usually have an unstable background. This – along with their being torn away from friends – may thrust them into depression. They feel lost, as though in a maze, and see no solution. They lash out, only to get into deeper trouble, such as a solitary confinement.