The acting out in patients with Schizophrenia examined in a forensic psychiatric assessment

Abstract

Introduction

Many studies have shown that schizophrenic patients are responsible for the highest rates of violence among all the mentally ill patients.

Aims of the study

Describe the socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of patients with schizophrenia examined in a forensic psychiatric assessment and identify the risk factors of violence in these patients.

Methodology

A retrospective study carried out in the psychiatric department of university hospital of Mahdia during fifteen years involving 40 patients with schizophrenia examined in a forensic psychiatric assessment following a forensic act. These patients were compared to a population of 40 patients followed in the same establishment for the same disease and without criminal record.

Results

Age average of 36.08 years, male (95%), rural origin (65%), primary level education (47.5%), single (65%), unemployed (65%) and average socio-economic level (65%). Personal psychiatric history (87.5%), personality disorder (12.5%), judiciary history (12.5%) and substance abuse (57.5%). Subtypes of schizophrenia: undifferentiated (52.5%) and paranoid (30%). They have committed serious physical assaults (55%) and aggression against property (27.5%). The victim was mostly a family member (40%), under the influence of toxic (22%), driven by delusions of persecution (61%), with hallucinatory mechanism (55%). The psychiatric expert has concluded an abolition of discernment in 77.5% of cases. Risk factors of acting out were: rural origin, alcohol and psychoactive substances use, productive forms of schizophrenia, poor adherence and irregular monitoring.

Conclusion

The knowledge of risk factors improves the management and allows us better prevention of violence among our patients.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.