By Allen Cardoza
Interviewer: Dr. Melody Foxx
An Interview with Dr. Paul E. Keck, Jr, by Dr. Melody Foxx
Dr. Paul E Keck talked with Dr. Melody Foxx about the alarming fact that only 11% of young adults achieve much maturity by their 30s. This maturity is measured by factors such as leaving home, finishing high school or college, living as independent adults by entering the work force, finding a life partner and raising children.
This failure to launch can be attributed to struggling with decision making, feeling unmotivated about improving their lives, and following negative examples based on reality TV stars. There are many personal reasons why they just can’t seem to get their life on track. They may have dropped out of high school, didn’t complete a college degree, can’t hold down a job, bounce from one bad relationship to the next, or engage in high-risk behaviors.
In addition, Dr. Keck pointed out what he called the “cohort problem,” which, he explained, simply meant that they were behaving similarly to their peers.
He said that national, door-to-door mental health surveys of households have indicated a rise in mental health disorders in today’s population. As much as 40% of young people between the ages of 18 to 24 years old were shown to meet the criteria for a psychiatric disorder.
Among these disorders are anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, drug and alcohol dependency, learning disabilities, mental retardation, autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), self-harm and suicidal behavior, and interpersonal problems.
In addition, young people had issues related to mood disorders like bipolar disorders and depression.
Bipolar disorder, which consists of manic depression or manic depressive disorder, is a serious mental illness marked by extreme mood swings. People with bipolar disorder have cycles of highs and lows, or mania and depression.
Another common issue with young people is depression, defined as a persistent feeling of sadness that doesn’t go away and interferes with daily life.
Dr. Keck’s Background
Dr. Keck, a researcher in Bipolar Disorder and psychopharmacology, is the author of over 500 scientific papers in leading medical journals. He has also contributed over 160 reviews and chapters to major psychiatric textbooks.
As president and CEO of Lindner Center of HOPE, Dr. Keck provides leadership and direction for the overall operation of the Center, directing and coordinating the development of short and long range objectives.
The Lindner Center of HOPE
Lindner Center of HOPE is located on 36 acres in a serene and private wooded setting. It offers patients a comfortable, healing treatment setting. The 64 private patient rooms are separated into four wings with the adolescent wing separate from the adults and senior adults.
Additionally, the residential portion of the Center, The Sibcy House, is also set apart. All patient rooms are private, with full baths and quality linens and furnishings. At Sibcy House, patients and families experience a premiere mental health care and addiction recovery environment. The clinical team use state-of-the-science technology and medical expertise to accurately diagnose patients and create individualized treatment plans.
