TRAVERSE CITY -- It's a question that's on a lot of people's minds after the tragic shooting Thursday afternoon: How does someone snap and turn to such extreme measures?
7&4's Kate Fox spoke with a Traverse City doctor about how something like this can happen.
Forensic Psychiatrist Dr. Lyn Conlon says that when met with the right amount of stress a person can respond very inappropriately and their actions can often be extremely irrational.
Dr. Conlon says, "You can push someone to the point where they actually see red where they cannot make a decision they cannot act appropriately because there so overwhelmed."
Dr. Conlon says that when put in extreme, life-altering situations, emotions like adrenaline can take over and the outcome can be violent.
She says, "That blocks out a lot of rationally thinking when you're hit with that amount of epinephrine in your brain."
It can be a combination of anxiety, anger and depression that can cause someone to snap Conlon explains.
She says there's warning signs to look for like, "…sleeping too much, or not being able to sleep well at all, a change in appetite either weight loss or weight gain, feeling guilty, hopelessness or helplessness."
Dr. Conlon says depending on the severity of the situation--relief and support can be found in communicating with a loved one or religious leader but if that's not enough you need to seek professional help.
