[The concept of insanity in Danish penal and mental health codes].
The medical terms insanity and psychosis are used synonymously to describe a condition with substantial changes in the "total" personality and loss of realism. In the 10th revision of the diagnostic classification system ICD-10 (1994) the intention was to replace the term "psychosis" with "psychotic" to indicate the presence of hallucinations and delusions. However, in Danish legislation - most importantly in the penal code and the Mental Health Act - the term "insanity" is still in use. This difference has lead to diagnostic uncertainty, especially in clinical and forensic psychiatric practice.
Brandt-Christensen
Mette
M
Psykiatrisk Center Rigshospitalet, Blegdamsvej 9, Afsnit 6212, 2100 København Ø, Denmark. mettebrandtchristensen@dadlnet.dk
Bertelsen
Aksel
A
D003718:Denmark; D005555:Forensic Psychiatry / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D006801:Humans; D038801:International Classification of Diseases; D016743:Mental Competency / Q000145:classification / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis; D009626:Terminology as Topic