Diagnostic Comorbidity in Psychotic Offenders and Their Criminal History: A Review of the Literature

Abstract

There is growing evidence that there is a relationship between a psychotic disorder and violent behavior. Diagnostic comorbidity of a psychotic disorder with substance abuse, a personality disorder or psychopathy increases the likelihood of violence. The aim of this review is to examine the literature about the relationship between a psychotic disorder and violence, and about comorbidity of a psychotic disorder with substance abuse, a personality disorder and/or psychopathy. A search of www.PubMed.com and www.PsychInfo.com for the period 1990–2006 yielded 1942 articles. Ultimately, however, only 73 articles remained after eliminating those on irrelevant topics. Results showed that the roles of substance abuse, the presence of a personality disorder, or a high score on the revised psychopathy checklist are confirmed as important risk factors by many authors. This review revealed a high degree of agreement that possible comorbidity in schizophrenic offenders should be mentioned routinely in scientific research as it has an essential effect on the development of the offender's illness.