Aggressive behavior in patients hospitalised for a psychotic relapse
Introduction Patients in psychotic relapse may exhibit violent behavior towards objects, themselves or others. These behaviors, although usually unconscious, are a common reason for hospitalization and a source of rejection and stigmatization by family and society. Objectives The objective of this...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Cambridge University Press
2023-03-01
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| Series: | European Psychiatry |
| Online Access: | https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S0924933823022496/type/journal_article |
| Summary: | Introduction
Patients in psychotic relapse may exhibit violent behavior towards objects, themselves or others. These behaviors, although usually unconscious, are a common reason for hospitalization and a source of rejection and stigmatization by family and society.
Objectives
The objective of this study was to evaluate the presence of aggressive behavior in relapsed inpatients with schizophrenia in the F psychiatry department at the Razi Hospital in Tunisia.
Methods
This was a descriptive, cross-sectional study of fifty male patients hospitalized for a psychotic relapse who were naïve or discontinuing treatment for at least two months. Patients were assessed using a semi-structured questionnaire and the Overt Aggression Scale (OAS).
Results
The age of the patients included ranged from 17 to 65 years, with an average of 36.4±11.51 years. More than half of the patients were without occupation (58%, N= 29). For personnal history : Seven patients (14%) had attempted suicide ; Eight patients (16%) showed evidence of self-harm ; Thirteen patients (26%) had a history of arrests of which eleven (22%) were incarcerated.The OAS score ranged from to 0 to 35 with a mean at 9.7+/- 10.3. Twenty-seven patients were aggressive (54%).
Conclusions
Preventive strategies should focus more on predicting the aggressive potential of patients with schizophrenia and its socio-professional implication. Perhaps when using a less holistic approach to the disease and when approaching aggressive behavior as a symptom in its own right, we will be able to find other alternative options.
Disclosure of Interest
None Declared |
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| ISSN: | 0924-9338 1778-3585 |