Dangerous behaviour preceding first admissions for schizophrenia.
Of 253 patients in their first schizophrenic episode, 52 behaved in a way threatening to the lives of others before their admission to hospital. These 52 patients were studied from data collected at the time of their initial presentation. Despite a history of illness in excess of 1 year in 24 cases, and evidence that violence was motivated by psychotic symptoms in 23 cases, fewer than half of the patients were admitted to hospital as a direct result of their dangerous behaviour. Life-threatening behaviour was more common where the patient had been ill for longer, and where there were delusions of being poisoned.
Humphreys
M S
MS
Royal Edinburgh Hospital.
Johnstone
E C
EC
MacMillan
J F
JF
Taylor
P J
PJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003134:Commitment of Persons with Psychiatric Disorders / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D003617:Dangerous Behavior; D003702:Delusions / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D006113:United Kingdom; D014754:Violence