VIOLENCE AND HOMICIDAL BEHAVIORS IN PSYCHIATRIC-DISORDERS

This article reviews the relationship of violent/homicidal behavior an d mental illness in both the psychiatric and the nonpsychiatric popula tion. Violent/homicidal behavior is significantly associated with ment al illness in all populations studied. It is rather clear that the pre sence of substance and alcohol abuse and dependence, antisocial person ality, comorbidity, psychosis, and suicidal behavior are other importa nt risk factors. Self-rating questionnaires, such as the Homicide Beha viors Survey (HBS), are also discussed and are helpful in detecting hu micidal/violent behaviors.