When schizophrenia leads to terrorism: A case report

Abstract

Background

Some have suggested that terrorists are mentally ill and have used labels such as psychopathic or sociopathic, narcissistic, paranoid, are schizophrenic types, or passive–aggressive. Others have argued that although terrorist actions may seem irrational or delusional to society in general, terrorists in fact, act rationally, and there is no evidence to indicate that they are mentally ill/disordered, psychopathic or otherwise psychologically abnormal.

Objective and method

Here we present the case of Mr. A, a 32 year old man diagnosed with schizophrenia, who travelled to Egypt and Syria in attempt to join the ISIS terrorist organization, and discuss the clinical features, treatment processes and two years follow-up of this particular case.

Conclusion

As described in some studies, most terrorists do not demonstrate serious psychopathology and there is no single personality type. Thus, the relationship between terrorism and mental illness mostly refers to the question about pathological travel as part of a religious and messianic delirium.

Disclosure of interest

The author has not supplied his/her declaration of competing interest.