Homicide and psychosis

The relationship between mental disorder, especially psychotic illnesses such as schizophrenia, and homicidal behavior is complex and also controversial. Acts of severe violence by mentally ill people and the often sensational publicity that follows can increase stigma and reinforce misunderstandings about the dangerousness of an already disadvantaged group. The aim of this chapter is to review what is known about the relationship between psychotic disorder and homicidal behavior. Homicides are rare events and vast majority of people with psychosis will never commit an act of serious violence, let alone a homicide. However, people with psychotic disorders, disorders that include Schizophrenia, Schizoaffective disorder, certain forms of Bipolar Disorder, and neurological disorder manifesting with hallucinations, delusional beliefs, and disorganized thinking, are over-represented among homicide offenders. This chapter will focus on the epidemiology of homicide by people with psychosis, the reasons for homicidal behavior by people with psychosis, and homicide prevention.