P02-66 - General Approach to Forensic Evaluation of Different Forms of Schizotypal Disorders

Abstract

Background

Schizotypal disorder comprises a wide spectrum of schizophrenic disorders from personality to sub-psychotic disorders. As a result, psychiatric evaluation of this psychopathology is ambiguous and a challenge to forensic psychiatry.

Aims

The aim of study was to define criteria for forensic evaluation of schizotypal disorder according the form of disease by examining 82 patients who committed crimes and who had been diagnosed “schizotypal personality disorder”(12), “schizotypal disorder” (pseudopsychopatic (38), pseudoneurotic (13), schizophrenia with bare symptoms (16), schizophrenic reaction (3)

Results

There was evidence of different forms of schizotypal disorders related to the degree of responsibility for the crime committed (9 patients with schizotypal personality disorders) compared with (46 patients with mild forms of schizophrenia) considered not responsible. The sample of patients were considered as having diminished responsibility (27 patients with different forms of mild schizophrenia). The criteria for psychiatric evaluation were: intensity of negative symptoms, quasi-psychotic symptoms during period of crime, dynamic aspects of disease, connection between psychopathology and character, motives, causes of crime, level of critical and prognostic abilities, intensity of personality disorders, level of social function and adjustment.

Conclusion

Forensic conclusion depends on the form of schyzotypal disorder. The patients with schizoptypal personality disorder demonstrate integrity of cognitive sphere and singularity of emotions, rather high level of social adjustment. That's why the are mostly considered as responsible. The patients with mild forms of schizophrenia show pathology in sphere of thinking and emotions, social problems, so forensic conclusion can be different from irresponsibility to diminished responsibility.