[The violent patient]

The article examines the violence which falls within the domain of the physician. It describes the different patterns of aggressive behavior, the frequency of crimes among psychiatric patients, the violence-related diseases, the main risk-factors. Guidelines are suggested for the examination (interview technique, content of the evaluation, assessment of the danger of violence) and the treatment in the acute and long-term management of violent patients with a particular emphasis on pharmacologic therapy. The neurophysiological, pathological and neurochemical bases of aggression, inhibition and episodic dyscontrol are discussed as well as the most relevant socio-cultural factors.