The role of mental disorder in attacks on European politicians 1990-2004

Objective:  The only systematic studies of attacks on public figures come from the USA. These studies de‐emphasize the role of mental illness and suggest threats are of no predictive value. This study re‐examines these questions through a study of attacks on European politicians. Method:  All non‐te...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica 2007-11, Vol.116 (5), p.334-344
Main Authors: James, D. V., Mullen, P. E., Meloy, J. R., Pathé, M. T., Farnham, F. R., Preston, L., Darnley, B.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Adult and adolescent clinical studies
assaultive behaviour
Assaults
Biological and medical sciences
Child
Communication
Correlation analysis
Crime prevention
Cross-Sectional Studies
Culture
Delusions - diagnosis
Delusions - epidemiology
Early Diagnosis
Europe
Homicide - prevention & control
Homicide - psychology
Homicide - statistics & numerical data
Humans
Incidence
Infant
Medical sciences
Mental disorders
Middle Aged
Miscellaneous
Politics
Psychiatry
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Psychopathology. Psychiatry
psychotic disorders
Psychotic Disorders - diagnosis
Psychotic Disorders - epidemiology
Public officials
Social Isolation
violence
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Summary:Objective:  The only systematic studies of attacks on public figures come from the USA. These studies de‐emphasize the role of mental illness and suggest threats are of no predictive value. This study re‐examines these questions through a study of attacks on European politicians. Method:  All non‐terrorist attacks on elected politicians in Western Europe between 1990 and 2004 were analysed. Results:  Twenty‐four attacks were identified, including five involving fatalities, and eight serious injuries. Ten attackers were psychotic, four drunk, nine politically motivated and one unclassifiable. Eleven attackers evidenced warning behaviours. The mentally disordered, most of whom gave warnings, were responsible for most of the fatal and seriously injurious attacks. Conclusion:  A greater awareness of the link between delusional fixations on public figures and subsequent attacks could aid prevention. Equally importantly, recognition would encourage earlier intervention in people who, irrespective of whether they eventually attack, have delusional preoccupations which ruin their lives.
ISSN:0001-690X
1600-0447
0065-1591
DOI:10.1111/j.1600-0447.2007.01077.x