Abstract

FRESAN, Ana; APIQUIAN, Rogelio; NICOLINI, Humberto  and  GARCIA-ANAYA, María. Association between violent behavior and psychotic relapse in schizophrenia: once more through the revolving door?. Salud Ment [online]. 2007, vol.30, n.1, pp.25-30. ISSN 0185-3325.

The potential for violence in a number of persons with mental illnesses stimulates public fear and prevents general acceptance of persons with psychiatric disabilities.

Schizophrenia has been the diagnosis most often associated with violence as it has been taken as a paradigm of insanity, incompetence and dangerousness.

Clinicians’ efforts to prevent violence through conventional external patient treatment are impede by several situational variables and patients become trapped in a costly cycle of repeated institutional admissions (revolving door phenomenon) in the most restrictive settings, going through involuntary in-patient treatment. The major hypothesis proposed in this review is that violence in schizophrenia can become a part of a self-perpetuating cycle, in which the combination of non-adherence to treatment and an inadequate management of illness from families and caregivers leads to violent behavior and deteriorated social relationships, finally resulting in institutional recidivism.

As some of the initial symptoms of the illness, such as irritability and agitation may not be detected by the patient and his/her family, these symptoms eventually can easily escalate into open hostility, and the accompanying behavior is frequently violent. Disturbed moods secondary to psychotic symptoms, such as fear and anger apparently can also activate violent psychotic action. Accordingly, the path from the characteristics of the illness to violence leads to them through psychotic symptoms and lack of insight, and results in symptom-consistent violence.

When psychotic symptoms and violent behavior cannot be managed by caregivers, patients are brought to the attention of psychiatric services and frequently admitted to patient service. During admission for a psychotic episode, there are more violent incidents than later on in the disease. As patients respond to medication and hospital environment, violent incidents and psychotic symptoms decrease in frequency and severity.

After hospital discharge, patients may assume greater autonomy and control over several aspects of their daily lives. Nevertheless, this process may be hampered by familial reactions to the burden of living with a family member with schizophrenia. This burden can also be exacerbated because many patients have a history of violent behavior and families may experience negative attitudes towards them.

In line with this, there is evidence of significant differences between the professionals’ perception about symptoms and illness, and that of the patient and his/her family. Sometimes, these different conceptions may reflect a lack of awareness regarding illness and treatment that may lead to discontinue medication.

Medication suspension can lead to an eventual relapse which most obvious sign is the emergence of positive psychotic symptoms. Nevertheless if a patient has a past history of violent behavior, it is very likely that these behaviors will appear during relapse and it may be necessary to consider hospitalization.

Although treatment with antipsychotics may be useful when violence is secondary to psychotic symptoms, violence might be indirectly reduced through clinical programs aimed at increasing insight into illness and treatment. A psychoeducational strategy may improve antipsychotic treatment compliance by helping the patients to work through their ambivalence regarding antipsychotic medication. For families, a psychoeducation strategy can lead to a change in attitudes toward the disorder, as well as to promote problem-solving skills for violence.

The model presented here suggests that violence in schizophrenia is conditioned by several factors such as psychotic symptoms, medication non-compliance and lack of social support. The prevention of violent behavior in schizophrenia should include attention to other areas, such as the quality of the social environment surrounding the patient. For the “revolving door” patients, violence may be a key factor that complicates treatment.

Health professionals have the responsibility to work in partnership with patients and their families for the prevention of violence.

Keywords : Schizophrenia; violence; revolving door.

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