The Relationship Between Schizophrenia and Criminality

Abstract

Introduction

Schizophrenia represents a risk factor for violent behavior, even escalating to murder.

Objectives

The current study aims to provide information regarding the prevalence and types of criminal acts committed by schizophrenic patients and identifying the precipitating factors.

Aims

The purpose of this study is to obtain an overall view on the peculiarity of criminal behavior in schizophrenic patients in order to create efficient means of prediction and prevention.

Methods

The current study collected all the data from Medline PubMed, from articles published between 2004-2014, by searching key words like violent behavior, schizophrenia, schizophrenia and criminality.

Results

Schizophrenia spectrum disorders are usually associated with a substantially increased rate of violent crimes, in comparison to the general population. The risk factors include the same as in the general population, with a social and family background, and also specific risk factors found in schizophrenic patients like delusional and hallucinatory elements which drive patients to perform criminal actions.

Conclusions

The criminal behavior manifested in schizophrenic patients shows certain features, especially at a motivational level, emphasizing the need for the early detection of delusional and hallucinatory symptoms that drive patients to do act of crimes, in a close relationship to the social cultural and also family context that creates their background.