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Updated: May 23, 2026
09:12
The Resident-intruder Paradigm: A Standardized Test for Aggression, Violence and Social Stress
Published on: July 4, 2013
Mania, homicide and severe violence
Olav B Nielssen1, Gin S Malhi, Matthew M Large
11Clinical Research Unit for Anxiety and Depression, St Vincent's Hospital, Darlinghurst, Sydney, Australia.
The Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry
|April 18, 2012
Summary
Mania is not strongly linked to severe violence in the community. This study found few individuals found not guilty by reason of mental illness (NGMI) committed severe violent offenses while manic.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Psychiatry
- Psychopathology
- Clinical Psychology
Background:
- Mania is a known risk factor for aggression in psychiatric settings.
- The association between mania and severe interpersonal violence in the community is not well-established.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the link between mania and severe violence.
- Examined patients found not guilty by reason of mental illness (NGMI).
Main Methods:
- Reviewed court documents of NGMI individuals in New South Wales (1992-2008).
- Included offenses like homicide, attempted homicide, and assault causing serious injury.
Main Results:
- 12 out of 272 NGMI individuals were manic during severe violent offenses.
- Ten had schizo-affective disorder; two had bipolar disorder.
- No patients with bipolar disorder were in a depressed phase.
Conclusions:
- Mania, especially during bipolar disorder, shows no strong association with severe violence.
- Findings suggest limited link between manic states and severe community violence.
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