How being incarcerated affects your mental health, according to a psychologist and neurologist

Emily SwaimApr 5, 2023, 23:42 IST

Incarceration comes with a host of issues, from physical violence to emotional abuse, which can significantly affect mental and psychological health.Getty Images

Rates of PTSD among incarcerated people are five times higher than the general US adult population.
Depression has been shown to worsen while incarcerated, but frequent visits from family may help.

Poor eating, sleeping, social, and working conditions in correctional departments can drastically affect mental health.

Prisons can often neglect basic needs like heating and cooling.Anadolu Agency / Contributor / Getty Images

Developing PTSD: The rate of PTSD is five times higher among incarcerated people compared to the general US population, making it a common mental illness in prison.

PTSD is a major concern among incarcerated people.Steven Puetzer / Getty Images

Losing self-control: Prisons remove the freedom of making decisions like what to wear and when to sleep, which has been shown to affect the ability to practice self-control.

Many choices are made for you while incarcerated.Stephan Gladieu / Contributor / Getty Images

Losing self-control: Prisons remove the freedom of making decisions like what to wear and when to sleep, which has been shown to affect the ability to practice self-control.

Developing or worsening mental health issues: Lack of proper mental healthcare and social isolation from friends and family raises the risk of conditions like depression.

Visits from friends or family can make a huge different in a person's mental health while incarcerated.South_agency / Getty Images

Developing or worsening mental health issues: Lack of proper mental healthcare and social isolation from friends and family raises the risk of conditions like depression.

Becoming emotionally numb, which could increase the risk of violence toward others or self-inflicted injury.

Some incarcerated people develop what's called a "prison mask" to avoid feeling hurt or disappointed.Anadolu Agency / Contributor / Getty Images

Being severely sleep deprived: As many as 88% of incarcerated people have poor sleep quality, and up to 73% may have insomnia.

Sleep deprivation is a major problem among incarcerated people.Anadolu Agency / Contributor / Getty Images

Losing control of your emotions: Sleep deprivation and malnutrition among incarcerated people have been shown to trigger aggression and fights.

Many prisons don't provide enough nutrition in the form of fruits and vegetables.Portland Press Herald / Contributor / Getty Images

Developing a cognitive disability: Frequent violence can sometimes include a blow to the head that could result in a traumatic brain injury.

Prison violence may include blows to the head that can cause traumatic brain injury.iStock

Worsening mental and physical health: Medical treatment for mental and physical health issues is often unsubstantial or nonexistent once a person is incarcerated.

Medical neglect among incarcerated people can worsen an already pre-existing mental or physical health issue.1054391550 / Getty mages

After incarceration, many people develop what is called Post-Incarceration Syndrome.

Even after leaving incarceration, many people report long-lasting mental health issues.Gallo Images / Contributor / Getty Images

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How being incarcerated affects your mental health, according to a psychologist and neurologist

Poor eating, sleeping, social, and working conditions in correctional departments can drastically affect mental health.

Developing PTSD: The rate of PTSD is five times higher among incarcerated people compared to the general US population, making it a common mental illness in prison.

Losing self-control: Prisons remove the freedom of making decisions like what to wear and when to sleep, which has been shown to affect the ability to practice self-control.

Developing or worsening mental health issues: Lack of proper mental healthcare and social isolation from friends and family raises the risk of conditions like depression.

Becoming emotionally numb, which could increase the risk of violence toward others or self-inflicted injury.

Being severely sleep deprived: As many as 88% of incarcerated people have poor sleep quality, and up to 73% may have insomnia.

Losing control of your emotions: Sleep deprivation and malnutrition among incarcerated people have been shown to trigger aggression and fights.

Developing a cognitive disability: Frequent violence can sometimes include a blow to the head that could result in a traumatic brain injury.

Worsening mental and physical health: Medical treatment for mental and physical health issues is often unsubstantial or nonexistent once a person is incarcerated.

After incarceration, many people develop what is called Post-Incarceration Syndrome.