Forensic Psychiatry Flashcards
What are specific factors that are associated with risk of violence? [4]
Pyschotherapy
Impulsivity
Lack of insight
Presence of positive symptoms(hallucinations, thought insertion, strange experiences, persecutory delusions)
Which links betwen psychosis and violence exist? [2]
The association between rarer symptoms such as delusional jealousy and attacks on a partner has been shown to be of particular significance and should be considered an important risk factor
Delusional Misidentification (e.g. Capgras Syndrome):
* In a review of the relationship between delusional misidentification & homicide, the associated level of fear or anger was an indicator of risk
What do you need to consider about the link between mental disorder and violence? [1]
Some studies have found the association between schizophrenia and violence to be minimal in the absence of substance use.
- Substance misuse may trigger psychotic symptoms, leading to aggressive behaviour; but the need to acquire substances may also lead individuals towards dangerous social encounters.
NB: however link between schizophrenia and violence seems much stronger when restricted to severe violence, such as
- What do you think are the core features necessary for a diagnosis of mental disorder? [5]
- Behavioural / Psychological
- Irrational
- Reflects underlying dysfunction
- Harmful
When assessing a patient - what does assessing in a formulation mean?
It may be helpful to think of formulation as an approach in which a clinician:
1. Considers the biopsychosocial factors / differential diagnosis
2. Considers the 4Ps
3. And then uses interpretive skills,
