Mentally ill stigma unfortunate

Epithets of "lunatic," "madman," and "crazy" characterizing James Holmes of the Aurora massacre suggest the strength of the stigma surrounding mental illness ("Man faces 142 charges in rampage," July 31).

This stigma is a major reason that people with a neurobiological disorder resist seeking treatment. Who wants to admit being a "lunatic"?

The stigma is also a factor in allowing treatment for mental illness to collapse into a fragmented, difficult-to-access condition.

Despite the knowledge that their loved ones need care, families are told that nothing can be done until their loved ones prove a danger to themselves or others. By that time, disaster often has occurred.

Robert Rudolph

Sagamore Road

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Psychiatric drugs too quickly blamed

I am a psychological counselor who works with clients who use a combination of psychotropic medications and traditional "talk" therapy to manage the symptoms of mental health and substance abuse disorders. Clients who exhibit bizarre, erratic, or dangerous behaviors often fail to take their medications, or choose not to take them as prescribed ("Ban psychiatric drugs, guns," Readers' Forum, Aug. 15).

These medications are prescribed by medical physicians with training in the complex interactions among biology, mental processes, and behavior.

Psychiatric physicians do a tremendous amount of due diligence to monitor client symptoms and make necessary and appropriate adjustments. But client cooperation in treatment is equally critical to successful recovery and long-term stability.

Anomalies in treatment occasionally occur, and tragic consequences occasionally result. Before we begin chanting the ridiculously simplistic mantra of "ban the drugs that cause violent behavior," let's consider the typical client behaviors that circumvent the most competent care. Let's not automatically assume negligence by the physician or failure of the medication.

Scott Knapp

Outpatient Counselor COMPASS Corporation Recovery Services Collingwood Boulevard

Gun buyers need more scrutiny?

I am not advocating that all guns be banned, but why do we need assault rifles and automatic weapons?

Just what animal do the sellers think people are going to go after with an assault rifle? I'm guessing there's only one: the human animal.

Maybe the buyer needs to be investigated more than he or she is now.

Kathy Easler

Sylvania Township

Bike lane would promote exercise

Why doesn't Toledo put a bicycle lane along Heatherdowns Boulevard now that it is almost completely resurfaced? We bicyclists always look for places to ride, but there are few available marked roads.

This would be a good start to get Toledo slimmer.

Jerry Chauvin

South Watercrest Drive