Shootings spark interest in the violence-prone spotting

By Dennis Thompson
HealthDay reporter

Friday, July 29 HealthDay News) - it is a violent tragedy--at any time, the killing of at least 86 people in a youth camp in Norway, the shootings a Congressman and others in Tucson, Virginia Tech massacre-a question seems more clearly than other ring: why not someone noticed in advance, that the suspicious disturbed and in a position to commit could be lethal force?

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Psychiatrist and mental health experts there is a clear warning sign that a person could be in a nervous breakdown and needs help say.

"The way after the crisis is often long and there are a lot of signs," said Bryan Gibb, Director of public education of the National Council for community behavioral healthcare. "It is our job to educate people about these warning signs, so that people get the treatment they need early."

But, the experts also warn that a breakdown is rarely leads to violence. "It is the rare person who has an extreme form of behavior, the either violent or harmful itself, will", said Dr. Thomas wise, Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and behavioral sciences, Johns Hopkins Medicine in Baltimore and Chairman of behavioral health services for health systems Inova in Fairfax, Virginia.

People prone to mass violence often believe victims to an "overvalued idea", a psychiatric term for an inappropriate have died over the person obsessed, has become, wise said.

Overvalued ideas are not delusions, because people with overvalued ideas are not complete and irrational fixed in their faith despite no evidence gave them, he said. The irony is that the people are suffering from delusions and clearly mentally ill, he said, are less likely to commit violence, as people on the fringes of the obsession with move, which technically not suffering a mental disorder.

"People who have often overvalued ideas affect them," said wise. "People with delusions do not." "They are often surprisingly passive, since all conspiracies, who believe they surround - them."

Public interest better identify people in the crisis rose in recent months said Gibb, whose group helps sign of trouble sponsor mental health first aid classes across the country for the preparation of local people and intercede.

"Calls us quite drastically to Tucson," said Gibb.

Speech by violence, to yourself or to others, should as a clear warning signs, both men said.

"When you talk about things that are inconvenient and potentially violent, in our culture, which is unusual, threatening, and should someone break," wise said.

It is even more cause for concern, if the person has no idea that how he or she speaks or act which is to disrupt it around. "If he others, affects no sense as he, which is a sign of trouble has," said wise.

People should be on alert, and quiet when a person who is been excited and is suddenly quiet force for some time. This could mean that internal conflicts are the person, and he or she is on the action.

"If you a plan not making, they more conflicts with the feel," Gibb said. "you can almost euphoric feeling because she've taken this decision."

A history of violence is an another Predictor for whether someone with a mental problem could be. Drug and alcohol use can be a warning sign with someone already strange, acting Gibb and wise said.

People who exhibit these warning signs should be confronted, but carefully, they say.

Wise recommends a heart to heart having discussion with the person in a public place. "" You are "Let them know," Hey, a little scare me "," he said.

To the person who is to reach friends and family, also important, he said. The more people will know the person about the problem, the more likely ready to accept the help of someone.

Gibb agreed, added that it is important, try to de-escalate the person mood. You hear them, they calm down to and offer help-even if the help is as easy as a glass of water to pick up.

"It sounds hokey, but we teachings on the Ministry of defence presence," Gibb said. "Tell them, you're here and you want to help."Hey, I noticed you seem kind of upset. "There is something I can do for you?'"

Copyright © 2011 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

Sources: Bryan Gibb, Director, public education, National Council for community behavioral healthcare, Washington, D.C.; Thomas wise, m.d., Professor, Department of Psychiatry and behavioral sciences, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Baltimore, and Chairman of behavioral health services, Inova Fairfax hospital, Fairfax, VA.

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