Violence and homicidal behaviors in psychiatric disorders

This article reviews the relationship of violent/homicidal behavior and mental illness in both the psychiatric and the nonpsychiatric population. Violent/homicidal behavior is significantly associated with mental illness in all populations studied. It is rather clear that the presence of substance and alcohol abuse and dependence, antisocial personality, comorbidity, psychosis, and suicidal behavior are other important risk factors. Self-rating questionnaires, such as the Homicide Behaviors Survey (HBS), are also discussed and are helpful in detecting humicidal/violent behaviors.