Exploring the Link Between Mental Illness and Homicidal Behaviors

Abstract

ENGL 102 Outline THESIS: Despite increasing mental health awareness, mental illness remains a powerful force that drives and fosters many homicidal behaviors among other stigmas as the victims lack proper self-control which leads them to poor decisions in life. Paragraph 1: The stigmatization of mental illness makes it a controversial issue or problem that stirs hot debates globally. “Distinguishing between homicide types is essential for applying justice because penalties vary according to the circumstances of the act and the killer’s intentions and behaviors.” (Vars et al. 1) “Violence is often referred to as being behavior involving physical force intended to hurt, damage, or kill someone or something” “Examples of lawful homicide would be the killing of a human being during war combat or the implementation of a lawfully ordered death penalty.” (Brookman et al, 2017). “The FBI have revisited the definition of the term however, arguing that serial homicide is the unlawful killing of two or more victims by the same offender in separate events.” (FBI 2008) “Multiple homicide offenders (MHOs), defined as criminal defendants who murder more than one person during a criminal episode, occupy a peculiar place in criminology.” (Delisi and Scherer 367) “Genocide is directed against the national group as an entity, and the actions involved are directed against individuals, not in their individual capacity, but as members of the national group” (Lemkin 2008) Paragraph 2: Childhood trauma, history of abuse, and environmental influences can contribute to homicidal behaviors. “Childhood trauma, more specifically physical abuse, has been associated with violence risk in healthy populations and in individuals with mental illness.” (Englestad et al. 1) “Among dynamic, or modifiable, risk factors are reduced clinical insight, hostile behavior, poor impulse control, non-adherence to treatment and substance abuse.” (Englestad et al. 1) “Studies confirmed higher homicide rates among specific categories of mentally ill individuals who experienced maltreatment, unemployment, abuse in childhood, and substance abuse resulting from stigma and discrimination.” (Almomen et al. 1) “In 2017, more than 400,000 people died of homicide globally.” (Vars et al. 1) Paragraph 3: Schizophrenia is one of the leading mental illnesses associated with homicide. “Schizophrenia is associated with an increased homicide risk.” (Engelstad et al. 1) “Personality pathology, particularly antisocial personality disorder and psychopathic traits, has been associated with increased violence risk in schizophrenia.” (Engelsta et al. 2) “Individuals with schizophrenia can also have comorbid personality disorders.” “Comorbid schizophrenia and psychopathy has been associated with a four times higher risk of violence recidivism compared to a diagnosis of schizophrenia alone.” (Engelsta et al. 2) “Psychotic symptoms, particularly persecutory delusions, have been claimed to be the most important predictor of violence in schizophrenia.” (Engelsta et al. 2) Paragraph 4: There are several stigmas that surround homicide and mental illness. “A national survey which was conducted between 1950 and 1996, then repeated in 2006, showed that stigma towards mental illness continued to be one of the major problems in society despite the increase in knowledge and education about mental disorders” (Almomen et al. 1) “Stigma complicates mentally ill persons’ lives by reducing their self-efficacy and self-esteem, leading to a sense of worthlessness.” (Almomen et al. 1) “According to WHO, up to 85% of individuals with mental disorders are untreated, especially in low- and middle-income countries” (Almomen et al. 2) “In fact, mentally ill individuals are more likely to harm themselves than harm others, as suicide risk is 20 times greater among mentally ill individuals than among the general population” (Almomen et al....