Mental Health and Crime: The Issue of Misdiagnosis and Overdiagnosis
Emily Larsen
Mental Health and Crime: The Issue of Overdiagnosis and Misdiagnosis.
February 24, 2023
Mental health and crime are complex issues that are often interconnected. One issue that arises is the potential for overdiagnosis and misdiagnosis of mental health conditions in the criminal justice system. Overdiagnosis occurs when a mental health condition is diagnosed when it may not be present or when the diagnosis is too broad and not specific enough (Morrison, 2016). Misdiagnosis occurs when a mental health condition is diagnosed incorrectly, leading to improper treatment or inappropriate consequences (Morrison, 2016). Overdiagnosis and misdiagnosis can have serious consequences for individuals involved in the criminal justice system.
For example, if someone is incorrectly diagnosed with a mental health condition, they may be prescribed medication or treatment that is unnecessary or potentially harmful. If under the wrong treatment plan it could impact an individual’s perception of reality and actions (Rousseau, 2023). Alternatively, if someone with a mental health condition is not properly diagnosed, they may not receive the treatment they need, leading to further negative consequences. With the criminal justice population, trauma is another factor that can go hand in hand. Research has found that approximately 75% of incarcerated adults report histories of trauma exposure (Fretz, 2023). That is statistically significant, with more than half of the incarcerated population having connections to trauma. Not only does this population have major connections with trauma, and mental health but also can have influencing factors of substance abuse. In the United States, those who have suffered from addiction and committed crimes relating to drugs or alcohol have made up 85% of the prison population (Rousseau, 2023). There are so many factors that contribute to who an individual is. The criminal justice population is more susceptible to crime with different influencing risk factors, which is why it is so important that they receive the right diagnosis.
There are several factors that contribute to overdiagnosis and misdiagnosis in the criminal justice system. One issue is the lack of training and expertise among some professionals in the criminal justice system, such as police officers or judges, in recognizing and diagnosing mental health conditions. Another issue is the stigma surrounding mental health, which can lead to biases and stereotypes that influence diagnoses (Rousseau, 2023). Additionally, the pressure to quickly resolve cases in the criminal justice system can also lead to hasty diagnoses and inaccurate conclusions (Morrison, 2023).
To address the issue of overdiagnosis and misdiagnosis in mental health and crime, it is important to increase education and training for professionals in the criminal justice system. This could include providing specialized training for police officers, judges, and other professionals in recognizing and responding to mental health conditions. Additionally, reducing the stigma surrounding mental health and improving access to mental health care could also help to address this issue. Finally, it is important to ensure that mental health diagnoses are based on sound evidence and not influenced by biases or stereotypes.
References
Morrison, M. (2016). Overdiagnosis, medicalization and social justice. Journal of Medical Ethics. 42 (705-714). Retrieved from; http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/medethics-2016-103717
Fretz, R. (2023). What is the impact of trauma in the criminal justice population?. MHS Assessments: Public Safety. Retrieved from; What is the impact of trauma in the criminal justice population? – MHS Assessments
Rousseau, D. (2023). Modules 1-6. Boston University.
3 comments
Emily,
You brought up great points regarding mental illness in the criminal justice system. Research has certainly supported the fact that the relationship between mental illness and crime is typically over exaggerated, and that those who suffer from a mental illness are more likely to be victims of a crime rather than the perpetrator. You mentioned reducing the stigma surrounding mental health, and I wonder how we can start to chip away at this. Social media and the news has a significant impact on society and how we view the outside world. What are some ways you think we can start reducing that stigma?
Hi Emily,
Great post! You are bringing up an incredibly important discussion topic regarding the challenge of diagnosis. In particular, you share that often there is a rush to diagnose in the criminal justice system. I find this to be true outside of the criminal justice system as well, especially when this is based on insurance. Often, in order for a patient to receive treatment, a diagnosis must be made in the first session. It is common for providers to assign a general diagnosis to get care started and then refine it as treatment continues. It appears that this is a systems issue. Do you feel as though this also applies within the criminal justice system?
Emily,
You made some excellent points and I agree that more education will improve the over all results. I only hope this is expanded to veterans because they are misdiagnosed often which leads to some kind of inappropriate behavior or gets them involved with the criminal justice system.
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