Personality disorders and violence potential.
Violence associated with personality disorders is usually best viewed separately from psychiatric diagnosis, as a syndrome of violence rather than a syndrome of diagnosis. The authors describe eight categories of violence associated with personality disorders that may help clinicians choose treatment or management techniques: purposeful, instrumental violence; purposeful, non-instrumental violence; purposeful, targeted, defensive violence; targeted, impulsive violence; nontargeted, impulsive violence incidental to emotional escape; random but purposeful violence; violence related to perceived or feared loss or abandonment; and violence related to chronic paranoia or related misconceptions. The categories are not completely mutually exclusive, nor do they represent a "decision tree." We also point out three important principles about the relationship between personality disorders and violence: 1) Personality disorders are rarely ego dystonic; 2) Most patients and violent situations that come to clinical attention involve comorbid conditions. 3) Violence and violence risk are often associated with intoxication.
William H
WH
Reid
Stephen A
SA
Thorne
D015897:Comorbidity; D005555:Forensic Psychiatry; D006801:Humans; D010554:Personality Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D018570:Risk Assessment; D014754:Violence / Q000145:classification / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*