NCJ Number
216015
Journal
International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology Volume: 50 Issue: 3 Dated: June 2006 Pages: 338-343
Date Published
June 2006
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This study explored the relationship between the schizoid personality disorder and violent behavior using a case study approach.
Abstract
The authors conclude that the subject of the case study, Mark, committed isolated violent acts against himself and his wife due to his schizoid personality disorder, which may have involved brief psychotic episodes. Indeed, the experience of brief psychotic episodes may explain the killing of his wife and the later killing of himself since right before his suicide Mark was not exhibiting any symptoms of depression or psychosis. Although a wide range of different factors are associated with violent acts, the findings from this case study suggest that research attention should carefully investigate the relationship between schizoid personality disorder and violent behavior. If evidence of a relationship is found, the characteristics of the schizoid personality could be integrated with other risk factors for violent behavior. The case study focused on Mark, a man with a history of schizoid personality disorder who made one unsuccessful attempt to kill both his wife and himself. Two years later Mark successfully killed his wife following a critical comment from one of Mark’s co-workers. Mark explained that he feared losing his job and wanted to save his wife and himself humiliation by taking their lives. Following the killing of his wife, Mark was incarcerated and successfully committed suicide shortly before his release from prison. Mark’s background characteristics are discussed, along with the violent incidents in question, and his psychiatric diagnoses and treatment. References