PARTIAL INSANITY - WHEN THE JUDICIARY AND THE PSYCHIATRIC WORLD COLLIDE

The psychiatric and judicial concepts of mental disorders are similar but not always identical. The gap between them creates confusion, a la ck of unity and inconsistencies in decision making. This gap needs to be bridged. In the hinterland of these concepts lies a range of psychi atric disturbances such as encapsulated over organized delusional diso rders (Paranoia Vera) and life endangering eating disorders (Anorexia Nervosa). When life threatening or criminal responsibility circumstanc es arise, the dilemma presented to the psychiatrists on the one hand a nd the judicial system on the other reaches its peak. Presented in the article are aspects of the gray areas of involuntary commitment and c riminal responsibility.