Abstract
The article examines the violence which falls within the domain of the physician. It describes the different patterns of aggressive behavior, the frequency of crimes among psychiatric patients, the violence-related diseases, the main risk-factors. Guidelines are suggested for the examination (interview technique, content of the evaluation, assessment of the danger of violence) and the treatment in the acute and long-term management of violent patients with a particular emphasis on pharmacologic therapy. The neurophysiological, pathological and neurochemical bases of aggression, inhibition and episodic dyscontrol are discussed as well as the most relevant socio-cultural factors.
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