Violence Severity and Psychosis

Abstract

To examine whether severity of violence was associated with specific types of psychotic symptoms a retrospective file review of men found of unsound mind by the Queensland Mental Health Tribunal was conducted. The association between symptoms and three levels of violence were examined. Capgras delusions and command hallucinations were associated with homicide; acute danger; and threat/control-override symptoms with serious violence, and grandiose delusions with assault occasioning bodily harm. When previous violence and substance use were controlled, the symptom variables remained significant predictors. Victims were more likely to be known when violence was more serious. The study provides support for the role of psychotic symptoms as one factor that may account for the relationship between mental illness and increased violence risk.