Prevalence of violent victimisation in severe mental illness

Abstract

Those with psychosis are at considerable risk of violent victimisation in the community. Victimisation experience should be recorded in the standard psychiatric interview.

Violence and violent victimization in people with severe mental illness in a rural low-income country setting: A comparative cross-sectional community study

“…The association between violent victimization and history of violence is consistent with other studies from high-income countries (Choe et al, 2008;Hodgins et al, 2007;Maniglio, 2009;Silver et al, 2011;Swanson et al, 2006;Walsh et al, 2003); however, the crosssectional nature of our study does not allow determination of the direction of causality or the potential mechanisms linking SMI to victimization. The exposure of people with SMI to goading by children raises the possibility that violence may be a response to provocation or threats from others in this setting.…”

“…In high-income country settings, the presence of SMI is associated consistently with an increased risk of violence, although the extent to which this excess risk is explained by co-morbid substance misuse continues to be debated (Choe et al, 2008;Fazel et al, 2009a;Fazel et al, 2009b;Fazel et al, 2010;Short et al, 2013). The problem of violence carried out by people with SMI is often the focus of the public's attention in high-income countries; however, people with mental illness are more frequently the victims of violence ('violent victimization') than the general population (Hodgins et al, 2007;Maniglio, 2009;Sturup et al, 2011;Teplin et al, 2005;Walsh et al, 2003). Indeed, people with SMI are more likely to be victims of violence than to commit a violent act (Choe et al, 2008;Hiday et al, 2001;Hodgins et al, 2007;Silver et al, 2011).…”

Imortance of Mental Disorders in Victimization

“…Psychoticism and neuroticism suggest presence of psychosis and behaviour disorders in non-violent group, and extraversion and conformism confirm violence to conspicuous persons. In nonviolent victims a circle of social segregation [14] with comorbidity [34] develops and there is serious stigmatisation in both groups [35] as well as fight against disease and stigma, possible mental disorders and suicidal thoughts [36]. On the HDRS depression, cognitive disorders and retardation are more frequent (P = 0.001), but in non-violent victimization (P = 0.005) anxiety and vegetative disorders are more frequent.…”

An Outcome Measure in Schizophrenia: Mortality

“…18,19 From 16% to more than 25% of individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia are reported to be victims of violence at some time in their lives. 7,20 A research group in the United Kingdom has reported that men with schizophrenia have an increased risk of dying by homicide, especially when they are involved in alcohol and drug use. 21 Suicide rates among schizophrenia sufferers are especially high-10 to 20 times the rate in the general population.…”