Gang Members May Suffer From Unprecedented Illnesses

"A recent study also shows that many gang members may be exhibiting unprecedented levels of psychiatric illness."

The findings showed that, of the 108 gang members surveyed, courtesy of a press release:

85.8 per cent had an antisocial personality disorder;
Two-thirds were alcohol dependent;
25.1 per cent screened positive for psychosis;
More than half (57.4 per cent) were drug dependent;
Around a third (34.2 per cent) had attempted suicide; and
More than half (58.9 per cent) had an anxiety disorder.

http://www.scienceworldreport.com/articles/8104/20130712/gang-members-suffer-unprecedented-illnesses.htm

For a while now I've been following the chaos that's going on in Chicago with the murder rate and the gang violence over there because I find it just saddening and appalling. I wish something happens drastically to end the strife there. I have no power and I don't live there. But there again, is there anything anyone can do? What do you guys think? To me the solution will have to be either one of three things: A reharsh of the area culturally and economically or, an effin' miracle or a profound sacrifice.

As far as the article, I though b.s. at first. I think being a gang member is a choice but the article does make some pretty valid point especially when it read:

"It is probable that, among gang members, high levels of anxiety disorder and psychosis were explained by post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), the most frequent psychiatric outcome of exposure to violence. However this could only partly explain the high prevalence of psychosis, which warrants further investigation."

And this is info from the American Journal of Psychiatry.

What do you guys think?

I think that this is a result of being in a gang and surround by delinquents. don't shift the blame

Originally posted by Raisen
I think that this is a result of being in a gang and surround by delinquents. don't shift the blame

So you're saying it hasn't anything to do with mental illnesses. It's influence and peer pressure is so strong that they can't help but join a gang. Even if nothing is wrong with them mentally?

Originally posted by FistOfThe North
So you're saying it hasn't anything to do with mental illnesses. It's influence and peer pressure is so strong that they can't help but join a gang. Even if nothing is wrong with them mentally?

ugh. I've seen it too many times. adrenaline seekers maybe? a lil dumber maybe? definitely ARROGANT. the labels is what I have a problem with.

Originally posted by FistOfThe North

What do you guys think?

Kill em all; let god sort them out.

Robtard, your not invited. I know that you're secretly a racist so your thoughts on the matter don't count, but thank you.

Just kiddin'.

But, this just in, kinda ..

Violence Spikes, Pols Demand National Guard Be Summoned
By by Glenn Minnis | Jul 12, 2013

"Chicago congressional leaders are demanding that the National Guard be called in to aid the city in gaining control over an out-of-control gang violence problem."

Holy shite are they declaring martial law in Chicago? Remember my initial post on how something drastic has to be done, well maybe they think this is the way. I don't think so. The ghetto/gangsta mentality can't be arrested. It's an idea. Brute force won't I don't think.

Originally posted by Raisen
ugh. I've seen it too many times. adrenaline seekers maybe? a lil dumber maybe? definitely ARROGANT. the labels is what I have a problem with.

Labels. What do you mean, titles?

Wait, im confused. Are you asking whether or not mental illness causes gang violence or Mental illness is a product of gang violence? Either way i'm not sure what the point of this thread is. Of course, or at least, i would hope that an ex gang banger would suffer from mental illness. That means they've become enlightened or at least have begun to take the steps in re-integrating themselves back into society.

I would have assumed that a large amount of them suffers from PTSD...

Originally posted by jinXed by JaNx
Wait, im confused. Are you asking whether or not mental illness causes gang violence or Mental illness is a product of gang violence? Either way i'm not sure what the point of this thread is. Of course, or at least, i would hope that an ex gang banger would suffer from mental illness. That means they've become enlightened or at least have begun to take the steps in re-integrating themselves back into society.

Basically I don't agree with the article and I'm asking if you think gang membership and violence is more a choice rather it being the result of mental illness.

I say it's a choice.

Originally posted by FistOfThe North
Basically I don't agree with the article and I'm asking if you think gang membership and violence is more a choice rather it being the result of mental illness.

I say it's a choice.

yes. quite frankly, most men in one way or another do things to look cool and get women.

Originally posted by Raisen
the labels is what I have a problem with.

Huh?

Originally posted by Raisen
ARROGANT.

Originally posted by Raisen
adrenaline seekers

Originally posted by Raisen
dumb

Originally posted by Raisen
delinquents

Seems like you really enjoy the labels, to be honest.

I blame Obama and public schools.

Originally posted by Symmetric Chaos
Huh?

Seems like you really enjoy the labels, to be honest.

the medical labels that people use to shift blame is what I have a problem with.

fat always being a glandular problem

ganster being a ptsd problem

cheating while married being a sex addict problem

it's time to make people responsible for their own actions

please tell me you don't feel sorry for the little gangbangers now?

What exactly do you feel should the consequences of being fat or cheating while married be?

Originally posted by Raisen
the medical labels that people use to shift blame is what I have a problem with.

Labels don't shift blame, labels describe.

If you don't think people are at fault for having a glandular problem then that's your problem, not the medical community's. If you think fat people don't have glandular problems then you don't have a problem with "labels that shift blame" you just think the labels is inaccurate.

Originally posted by Raisen
it's time to make people responsible for their own actions

I've never heard that sentiment expressed by a person who did not have a massively hypocritical standard for applying it.

Originally posted by Raisen
please tell me you don't feel sorry for the little gangbangers now?

Of course not, but then I'm obviously much more intelligent than you are.

Were you aware, for instance, that a basketball is both orange and round at the same time? We don't have to choose one or the other. It's a pretty amazing innovation, maybe you haven't heard about it. Anyway the same applies to people. A person can be a victim of mental illness and a absolute monster at the same time.

I'll give you a second to recover from that.

Originally posted by Symmetric Chaos
Labels don't shift blame, labels describe.

If you don't think people are at fault for having a glandular problem then that's your problem, not the medical community's. If you think fat people don't have glandular problems then you don't have a problem with "labels that shift blame" you just think the labels is inaccurate.

I've never heard that sentiment expressed by a person who did not have a massively hypocritical standard for applying it.

Of course not, but then I'm obviously much more intelligent than you are.

Were you aware, for instance, that a basketball is both orange and round at the same time? We don't have to choose one or the other. It's a pretty amazing innovation, maybe you haven't heard about it. Anyway the same applies to people. A person can be a victim of mental illness and a absolute monster at the same time.

I'll give you a second to recover from that.

ok then, I already knew you were going to do this. you like picking fights over the internet?

Originally posted by FistOfThe North
Basically I don't agree with the article and I'm asking if you think gang membership and violence is more a choice rather it being the result of mental illness.

I say it's a choice.

It's definitely choice. I don't think there is any rational argument to be made that supports the idea that choosing to become a gang member is the result of mental illness. People with mental illness may be more easily inclined to carry out the extreme anti social actions that gang members do. However, i believe its quite apparent that being a gang member is more likely to cause the mental illness. Even then i don't know how likely i am to be believe that being a gang member causes mental illness. I'm sure it's certainly likely to but just because you grow a skewered sense or morals and anti social perceptions doesn't mean you're necessarily mentally ill, it might just mean you're an ass hole. I think it's obvious, however, that the environment that a gang member is exposed to could more easily increase or even possibly cause mental illness but i don't think that it's excuse that should be labeled to gang members. Just because someone kills and steals doesn't mean they're mentally ill. If these people reach a realization later in life and adopt a new perspective that gives them a sense of righteous morality, however, i think that could cause mental illness, if they're ill prepared to deal with the guilt and or regret.

Originally posted by jinXed by JaNx
It's definitely choice. I don't think there is any rational argument to be made that supports the idea that choosing to become a gang member is the result of mental illness. People with mental illness may be more easily inclined to carry out the extreme anti social actions that gang members do. However, i believe its quite apparent that being a gang member is more likely to cause the mental illness. Even then i don't know how likely i am to be believe that being a gang member causes mental illness. I'm sure it's certainly likely to but just because you grow a skewered sense or morals and anti social perceptions doesn't mean you're necessarily mentally ill, it might just mean you're an ass hole. I think it's obvious, however, that the environment that a gang member is exposed to could more easily increase or even possibly cause mental illness but i don't think that it's excuse that should be labeled to gang members. Just because someone kills and steals doesn't mean they're mentally ill. If these people reach a realization later in life and adopt a new perspective that gives them a sense of righteous morality, however, i think that could cause mental illness, if they're ill prepared to deal with the guilt and or regret.

So in short you're saying gang membership is not the result of a mental illness, which makes complete sense, it's a choice, but that gang violence probably is. And a gang member exposed to that life long enough can develop an illness. Okay.

Surprised no mention so far of drug/alcohol abuse rampant in gang culture as being a cause of mental illness.