The primary purpose of this book is to set violent behaviour not only against a background of mental disorder but also in relation to the social, cultural and personal pressures which can impinge on an individual who goes on to perpetrate violence. There is undoubtedly a public preoccupation with violence in all its manifestations. However, there is considerable misunderstanding of the psychiatric aspects of violent and aggressive behaviour. First, the perception of violence perpetrated by the mentally disordered is often a mistaken one. In fact, there are relatively few incidents of violent behaviour due to those suffering from mental disorder, although much publicity attends any act of violence that is derived from these patients. Secondly, even where the mentally disordered patient is the perpetrator of violence, the mental disorder, per se, is not usually the only causative factor. Mentally disordered patients, like everyone else, are subject to the forces of society, culture and personality and this fact must be appreciated if a clear understanding is to be achieved of the psychiatry of violence.

The Psychiatry of Violence: A Guide for Lawyers is an invaluable guide for legal practitioners involved in criminal law and family/child law and also other professionals who work within situations where they are called upon to evaluate the risks of violent behaviour (eg social workers, children's guardians, probation officers, community workers/counsellors dealing with both offenders and victims, and those involved in making policy).

B Mahendra, Consultant Psychiatrist and Barrister, London

General

• An Introduction to Violent Behaviour and its Roots 

The psychiatric disorders

• Introduction - Violence in relation to Mental Disorder
• Organic Mental Disorders
• The Psychotic Disorders
• Disorders of Mood
• The Neuroses
• Disorders of Dependence and Appetite
• Disorders of Personality and Psychopathy
• Learning Disabilities and Developmental Disorders
• Special Situations and Unusual Disorders Involving Psychiatric Violence 

Violence - some special situations

• Domestic Violence
• Serial and Sexual Violence
• Public and Political Violence 

Appendices

• The Psychiatric Examination in Cases of Violent Behaviour
• Domestic Violence: A National Report (March 2005)

"an invaluable guide for lawyers, particularly those dealing with public law children proceedings, but also to social workers, Children's Guardians and other professionals working in the area"
ALC  'click here for full review'