Epidemiology of mental disorder and violence: beliefs and research findings

Recent epidemiological studies illustrate that the link between violence and mental disorder is stronger than most psychiatrists previously believed. The connections between psychosis--particularly schizophrenia--and violence and between alcohol-related disorders and violence are especially clear. However, only a small minority of all people who commit violent acts are psychotic, and they are responsible for relatively little violent crime. This article reviews recent epidemiological and case register studies of mental disorder and violence. Lay and professional beliefs about the relationship between violence and mental disorder are reviewed and related to research findings. The implications of these findings for the psychiatric assessment of potential violence are discussed.