Schizophrenia and Violence

The majority of those with schizophrenia do not commit violent acts. In fact they shrink from others and just want to be left alone. The majority of violent acts are not carried out by people that have schizophrenia. The majority of people that have schizophrenia are not responsible for violent acts. (Psych Central )

Among those that do carry out violent acts drugs and alcohol play a big role. But they also play a big role among those that don’t have any mental illness that carry out violent acts. ( Psych Central )

According to Dr. E. Fuller Torrey people with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder are only responsible for roughly 1000 homicides a year. Only the ones that are not taking their meds are usually responsible for these murders. If you compare this statistic with the total number of homicides a year in the US these 1000 murders are a small percentage of the total amount which is roughly 24,000 homicides. ( Schizophrenia.com )

It is true that violence amongst those with schizophrenia is very minimal but it is also true that people try to ignore the fact that there is some violence among those who are not receiving treatment. (Schizophrenia Research )

The whole issue of violence boils down to a treatment issue. There is a connection between those who do not believe they are ill, don’t take their medications and violence. (Schizophrenia Research )

So, the question is: How can we reduce what little bit of violence that is carried out by those with schizophrenia?

The Province of Nova Scotia has passed and made law the Involuntary Psychiatric Treatment Act.

This law will see to it that those who do not believe that they are ill and will not take their medication will receive treatment for their condition and get well thus reducing what little bit of violence is carried out by those with schizophrenia.

References

National Institute of Mental Health (2006 December)
Schizophrenia and Violence Psych Central
Retrieved 10 August 2007 From the World Wide Web
http://psychcentral.com/lib/2006/schizophrenia-and-violence/

Schizophrenia and Poverty, Crime and Violence Schizophrenia.com
Retrieved 10 August 2007 From the World Wide Web
http://www.schizophrenia.com/poverty.htm

Violence and Schizophrenia Schizophrenia Research
Retrieved 10 August 2007 From the World Wide Web
http://www.psychlaws.org/GeneralResources/110006SchizophreniaResearch.htm