Involuntary Celibates and Forensic Psychiatry

Incels (a term for those who identify as involuntarily celibate) are most commonly heterosexual men who believe that they are sexually rejected by women because of their genetics and the advent of feminism. The incel movement has grown over the past two decades, with help from the internet. The incel worldview is centered around entitlement, the inferiority of women, and fatalism, which they discuss using specific jargon and idioms. Incels may be referred for various types of forensic psychiatric evaluations as a result of their unusual beliefs, as well as engagement in acts of violence related to their worldview. Understanding the extant literature about the incel population, worldview, and mental health concerns will help forensic psychiatrists to identify members of this subgroup, which will assist in completing forensic evaluations.