title: [The violent patient].
abstract: The article examines the violence which falls within the domain of the physician. It describes the different patterns of aggressive behavior, the frequency of crimes among psychiatric patients, the violence-related diseases, the main risk-factors. Guidelines are suggested for the examination (interview technique, content of the evaluation, assessment of the danger of violence) and the treatment in the acute and long-term management of violent patients with a particular emphasis on pharmacologic therapy. The neurophysiological, pathological and neurochemical bases of aggression, inhibition and episodic dyscontrol are discussed as well as the most relevant socio-cultural factors.
authors.affiliation: Servizio Psichiatrico di Diagnosi e Cura, Ospedale S. Spirito, Roma.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Raja
mesh_terms: D000109:Acetylcholine / Q000502:physiology; D000367:Age Factors; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000145:classification / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003469:Culture; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism / Q000523:psychology; D004298:Dopamine / Q000502:physiology; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010554:Personality Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism / Q000523:psychology; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology; D014754:Violence
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D000109:Acetylcholine; D004298:Dopamine
vernacular_title: Il paziente violento.