What to do with violent mentally retarded people?

Question

My fiance's 31 year old brother is mentally retarded and gets violent, attacks his mother. What can we do to help him not be violent or where can we find him help?

He also has epilepsy. He's not as violent as he was when he was younger. He was sent to a home in a different state than where he's at now when he was young and they helped, but they are not an option anymore.

He lives in Michigan by the way.

Answer 1

Each state has an agency that provides services to individuals with mental retardation and developmental disabilities. Without knowing which state you're from I wouldn't know where to refer you. But you could call your local department of social services for a referral.

I am a clinician (therapist and behavior specialist) at a health clinic serving that population exclusively, in New York state. There are a number of things I would do if a client were referred to me in this situation. I would find out as many details as possible, assess the reason for the attacking. Often making suggestions for more therapeutic ways of interacting with the individual is enough. Sometimes the individual benefits from counseling (it must be awfully frustrating to be mentally retarded). Sometimes medication is helpful, so a referral to a psychiatrist is necessary. You could call his primary care doctor to ask for a referral to a psychiatrist that specializes in the MR population; most will not prescribe without a referral to a competent therapist or behavior specialist as well.

Answer 2

I don't understand why it wouldn't be an option for him to stay at a residential care facility or habilitation center.

Does your fiance's brother have a legal guardian? If not, maybe your fiance or someone else in his family could contact a lawyer to see about setting up guardianship.

I have included a link for mental health resources with the state of Michigan--click on the section that says "Developmental Disabilities."

Answer 3

I have a 14 year old teen that was born retarded because of lack of oxygen at birth. He is now violent and has attempted rape of a girl. Where do I take him for treatment in RI

Answer 4

The mentally ill are the most ignored in our society...unfortunately many of them live on the streets.

If he is violent and a danger to others he can be kept where he won't hurt anyone, but you need to get the authorities to do that.
Talk to someone about protecting his mother...use that approach and you might get the help you need.

Answer 5

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Answer 6

there comes a time when violent learning impaired people have to be institutionalized because they are dangerous to every one around them! There are state agencies that can help. Good luck

Answer 7

If he is a threat to himself or someone else, like his mom, he should be commit ed to a mental hospital where they can treat him and help him.

Answer 8

He must not like his mom if he is attacking her, it probably has to do with his past life .Take him to the doctor's .