Homicidal ideation: Difference between revisions
m Removal of redundancies |
Restructuring lists into prose (more to come). Redoing references. |
||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
'''Homicidal ideation''' is a common [[medical terminology|medical term]] for thoughts about [[homicide]]. It may be as detailed as a formulated plan without the act itself. Many people who have homicidal ideation do not commit homicide. More than 50% of people surveyed (more than 75% in some studies) admit to having had a homicidal [[Fantasy (psychology)|fantasy]].<ref>{{cite web |
'''Homicidal ideation''' is a common [[medical terminology|medical term]] for thoughts about [[homicide]]. It may be as detailed as a formulated plan without the act itself. Many people who have homicidal ideation do not commit homicide. More than 50% of people surveyed (more than 75% in some studies) admit to having had a homicidal [[Fantasy (psychology)|fantasy]].<ref name="JDuntley">{{cite web |
||
| last = Duntley |
| last = Duntley |
||
| first = Joshua D |
| first = Joshua D |
||
| Line 58: | Line 58: | ||
|accessdate= 2008-04-30 |
|accessdate= 2008-04-30 |
||
|quote= |
|quote= |
||
}}</ref> as is demonstrated by the fact that the greater majority of people within the general population have had homicidal fantasies. When triggering factors are sought regarding homicidal fantasies the majority seem to be linked in some way to the disruption of a couple relationship. Either [[jealousy]] or [[revenge]], [[greed]]/[[lust]] or even [[fear]] and [[self defence]] prompt homicidal thoughts and actions in the majority of cases.<ref>{{cite book |
}}</ref> as is demonstrated by the fact that the greater majority of people within the general population have had homicidal fantasies. When triggering factors are sought regarding homicidal fantasies the majority seem to be linked in some way to the disruption of a couple relationship. Either [[jealousy]] or [[revenge]], [[greed]]/[[lust]] or even [[fear]] and [[self defence]] prompt homicidal thoughts and actions in the majority of cases.<ref name="DBuss">{{cite book |
||
| last = Buss |
| last = Buss |
||
| first = David |
| first = David |
||
| Line 80: | Line 80: | ||
==Violence Risk== |
==Violence Risk== |
||
Homicidal ideation is noted to be a high risk factor when trying to identify a person's risk for [[violence]]. This type of assessment is routine for psychiatric patients<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.emedicine.com/Med/topic3358.htm|title= History and Mental Status Examination|accessdate= 2008-04-29|author= Brannon, Guy E.|last= Brannon|first= Guy|authorlink= |coauthors= |date= |year= 2008|month= 02|format= HTML|work= |publisher= |pages= |language= |doi= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= }}</ref> or any other patients presenting to hospital with mental health complaints. |
Homicidal ideation is noted to be a high risk factor when trying to identify a person's risk for [[violence]]. This type of assessment is routine for psychiatric patients<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.emedicine.com/Med/topic3358.htm|title= History and Mental Status Examination|accessdate= 2008-04-29|author= Brannon, Guy E.|last= Brannon|first= Guy|authorlink= |coauthors= |date= |year= 2008|month= 02|format= HTML|work= |publisher= |pages= |language= |doi= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= }}</ref> or any other patients presenting to hospital with mental health complaints. There are many associated risk factors which include: history of violence and any thoughts of committing harm, poor impulse control and an inability to [[Deferred gratification|delay gratification]], impairment or loss of reality testing, especially with [[Delusion|delusional]] beliefs or command [[hallucination]]s, the feeling of being controlled by an outside force, the belief that other people wish to harm him or her, the perception of [[Social rejection|rejection]] or [[humiliation]] at the hands of others, being under the [[Intoxication|influence]] of substances or a past history of [[antisocial personality disorder]], [[frontal lobe]] dysfunction or [[head injury]]. If a person has access to [[Psychoactive drug|drugs]], [[Alcoholic beverage|alcohol]], or [[weapon]]s at home, their risk of homicidal ideation or violence is increased.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.guideline.gov/summary/summary.aspx?doc_id=5632|title= Management of persons with psychoses.|accessdate= 2008-04-29|author= |last= |first= |authorlink= |coauthors= |date= |year= 2004|month= May|format= HTML|work= |publisher= |pages= |language= |doi= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= }}</ref> |
||
* History of violence |
|||
* Any thoughts of committing harm |
|||
* Antisocial personality disorder |
|||
* Poor impulse control, inability to [[Deferred gratification|delay gratification]] |
|||
* Loss of reality testing, with [[Delusion|delusional]] beliefs or command [[hallucination]]s |
|||
* Feeling controlled by an outside force |
|||
* Belief that others wish to harm him or her |
|||
* Perception of rejection or humiliation at the hands of others |
|||
* Frontal lobe dysfunction, head injury |
|||
* Being under the [[Intoxication|influence]] of substances |
|||
* Availability of [[Psychoactive drug|drugs]], [[Alcoholic beverage|alcohol]], or [[weapon]]s upon release from care |
|||
==Associated Psychopathology== |
==Associated Psychopathology== |
||
People who have homicidal ideation are at higher risk of other [[mental disorder|psychopathology]] than the normal population.<ref name="PsychServ" /> This includes [[suicidal ideation]], [[mania]], [[delirium]], or [[intoxication]]. |
People who have homicidal ideation are at higher risk of other [[mental disorder|psychopathology]] than the normal population.<ref name="PsychServ" /> This includes [[suicidal ideation]], [[mania]], [[delirium]], or [[intoxication]]. |
||
==Theories of Homicidal Ideation |
==Theories of Homicidal Ideation== |
||
A number of [[Theory|theories]] have been proposed to explain the phenomenon of homicidal ideation or [[homicide]] itself.<ref name="InnateMind">{{cite book |
|||
| last = Carruthers |
| last = Carruthers |
||
| first = Peter |
| first = Peter |
||
| Line 103: | Line 94: | ||
| publisher = [[Oxford University Press]] |
| publisher = [[Oxford University Press]] |
||
| year = 2005 |
| year = 2005 |
||
| ⚫ | | isbn = 9780195179675}}</ref> Many of these theories seem to overlap. They often are not mutually exclusive. At present no single theory explains all the phenomena noted in homicide, although many theories go some way to explaining several areas. Most of these theories follow the reasoning of theories studied in [[criminology]]. A brief synopsis of theories specific to homicide follows. |
||
| isbn = 9780195179675}}</ref>== |
|||
| ⚫ | |||
===Homicide Adaptation Theory=== |
===Homicide Adaptation Theory=== |
||
This is the most recent of evolutionary theories. It claims to explain most of the phenomena associated with homicide. It states that humans have evolved with adaptations that enable us to think of and/or plan homicide. We come up with the idea as a possible answer to our problem position (threat to ourselves, our mate or our resources) and include a range of thought processes regarding killer and victim (degree of relatedness, relative status, gender, reproductive values, size and strength of families, allies and resources) and the potential costs of making use of such a high penalty strategy as homicide. If homicide is determined to be the best solution strategy, then it might be functional. |
This is the most recent of evolutionary theories. It claims to explain most of the phenomena associated with homicide. It states that humans have evolved with adaptations that enable us to think of and/or plan homicide. We come up with the idea as a possible answer to our problem position (threat to ourselves, our mate or our resources) and include a range of thought processes regarding killer and victim (degree of relatedness, relative status, gender, reproductive values, size and strength of families, allies and resources) and the potential costs of making use of such a high penalty strategy as homicide. If homicide is determined to be the best solution strategy, then it might be functional.<ref name="JDuntley" /><ref name="DBuss" /> |
||
===By-product hypothesis ("slip up" theory)=== |
===By-product hypothesis ("slip up" theory)=== |
||
According to this hypothesis, homicide is considered to be a mistake or over-reaction. Normal psychological mechanisms for control of property, partner or personal safety may not appear to be sufficient under certain stressful circumstances and abnormal mechanisms develop. Particularly extreme expressions of this may occur leading to homicide where in the normal state the perpetrator would not behave in this manner. |
According to this hypothesis, homicide is considered to be a mistake or over-reaction. Normal psychological mechanisms for control of property, partner or personal safety may not appear to be sufficient under certain stressful circumstances and abnormal mechanisms develop. Particularly extreme expressions of this may occur leading to homicide where in the normal state the perpetrator would not behave in this manner.<ref name="InnateMind" /> |
||
==References== |
==References== |
||
Revision as of 08:51, 4 May 2008
Homicidal ideation is a common medical term for thoughts about homicide. It may be as detailed as a formulated plan without the act itself. Many people who have homicidal ideation do not commit homicide. More than 50% of people surveyed (more than 75% in some studies) admit to having had a homicidal fantasy.[1] Homicidal ideation is not a disease itself, but may result from other illnesses such as:
- delirium
- drug induced
- secondary to general medical illness(es) (see ICD-10 Chapter V: Mental and behavioural disorders F05)
Homicidal Ideation may arise in relation to behavioural conditions such as:
Homicidal ideation may arise in people who are otherwise quite well,[3] as is demonstrated by the fact that the greater majority of people within the general population have had homicidal fantasies. When triggering factors are sought regarding homicidal fantasies the majority seem to be linked in some way to the disruption of a couple relationship. Either jealousy or revenge, greed/lust or even fear and self defence prompt homicidal thoughts and actions in the majority of cases.[4] In a minority of cases there are homicides and violence related to mental illness. These homicides and fantasies do not seem to have the same underlying triggers as does homicide within the normal population, but when these trigger factors are present the risk for violence is greater than usual.[5]
Violence Risk
Homicidal ideation is noted to be a high risk factor when trying to identify a person's risk for violence. This type of assessment is routine for psychiatric patients[6] or any other patients presenting to hospital with mental health complaints. There are many associated risk factors which include: history of violence and any thoughts of committing harm, poor impulse control and an inability to delay gratification, impairment or loss of reality testing, especially with delusional beliefs or command hallucinations, the feeling of being controlled by an outside force, the belief that other people wish to harm him or her, the perception of rejection or humiliation at the hands of others, being under the influence of substances or a past history of antisocial personality disorder, frontal lobe dysfunction or head injury. If a person has access to drugs, alcohol, or weapons at home, their risk of homicidal ideation or violence is increased.[7]
Associated Psychopathology
People who have homicidal ideation are at higher risk of other psychopathology than the normal population.[3] This includes suicidal ideation, mania, delirium, or intoxication.
Theories of Homicidal Ideation
A number of theories have been proposed to explain the phenomenon of homicidal ideation or homicide itself.[8] Many of these theories seem to overlap. They often are not mutually exclusive. At present no single theory explains all the phenomena noted in homicide, although many theories go some way to explaining several areas. Most of these theories follow the reasoning of theories studied in criminology. A brief synopsis of theories specific to homicide follows.
Homicide Adaptation Theory
This is the most recent of evolutionary theories. It claims to explain most of the phenomena associated with homicide. It states that humans have evolved with adaptations that enable us to think of and/or plan homicide. We come up with the idea as a possible answer to our problem position (threat to ourselves, our mate or our resources) and include a range of thought processes regarding killer and victim (degree of relatedness, relative status, gender, reproductive values, size and strength of families, allies and resources) and the potential costs of making use of such a high penalty strategy as homicide. If homicide is determined to be the best solution strategy, then it might be functional.[1][4]
By-product hypothesis ("slip up" theory)
According to this hypothesis, homicide is considered to be a mistake or over-reaction. Normal psychological mechanisms for control of property, partner or personal safety may not appear to be sufficient under certain stressful circumstances and abnormal mechanisms develop. Particularly extreme expressions of this may occur leading to homicide where in the normal state the perpetrator would not behave in this manner.[8]
References
- ^ a b Duntley, Joshua D (2005). ""HOMICIDAL IDEATIONS"" (PDF). Retrieved 2008-04-14.
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ Stern, Theodore F (2005). "The evaluation of homicidal patients by psychiatric residents in the emergency room: A pilot study". Psychiatric Quarterly. 62 (4): 333–344. Retrieved 2008-04-14.
{{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help); Unknown parameter|month=ignored (help) - ^ a b Thienhaus, Ole J. (1998). "Emergency Psychiatry : Assessment of Psychiatric Patients' Risk of Violence Toward Others". Psychiatric Services. 49 (9): 1129–1147. Retrieved 2008-04-30.
{{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help); Unknown parameter|month=ignored (help) - ^ a b Buss, David (2005). The Murderer Next Door. Penguin Group. doi:10.1177/1088767906292645. ISBN 1594200432.
- ^ Stompe, Thomas (2004), "Schizophrenia, Delusional Symptoms, and Violence: The Threat/Control-Override Concept Reexamined", Schizophrenia Bulletin, 30 (1): 31–44
{{citation}}: Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - ^ Brannon, Guy (2008). "History and Mental Status Examination" (HTML). Retrieved 2008-04-29.
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help); More than one of|author=and|last=specified (help); Unknown parameter|month=ignored (help) - ^ "Management of persons with psychoses" (HTML). 2004. Retrieved 2008-04-29.
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help); Unknown parameter|month=ignored (help) - ^ a b Carruthers, Peter (2005). The Innate Mind: Structure and Contents. Oxford University Press. ISBN 9780195179675.
{{cite book}}: Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help)