bipolar social isolation
It is very difficult to predict violence in any particular person. The best we can hope for is to recognize the potential risk by using the factors we know are correlated with violence. The story of the person is the most important information to have when trying to assess the risk of violence. It is essential to get the most amount of information as soon as possible about the person who is threatening violence. Someone who knows how to assess the threat level and has the skills to communicate effectively must take the initiative to talk to the potentially violent person.
Violence Risk Factors
- Importantly, a diagnosis of mental illness does not necessarily increase the risk of violence, although the presence of auditory hallucinations and / or paranoid delusions does.
- Males under 30
- A history of violence including domestic violence is the most reliable predictor of the level of threat current.
- Victim or witness of violence in childhood
- Record of criminal conduct
- Social isolation and exclusion
- History of substance abuse
- Working class
- Low income
- Low assertiveness
- Low education level
- Impulsiveness
- Unstable family, social status
- Brain injury
- Low intelligence
Immediate Risk factors for violence
- Verbal threat of immediate harm to a specific individual, particularly a pair
- The most in the future and less specific, less risk, ( "I go home and kill her now," versus "Someday someone will pay for this").
- Under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Access to the means to carry out the threat.
- Command hallucinations (who tell the person to kill someone)
- Agitation / screaming / using profanity
- Stimulation
- Getting in "your face"
Preventing violence
Violence can not always be prevented but we can reduce the risk by using some of the following techniques. Prevention is the best way to do deal with angry and potentially violent people early when problems arise. Waiting until it reaches a level of is the most dangerous crisis.
- Empathy when dealing with angry or potentially violent people is the most effective communication tool to use. Aid to the anger and the situation deescalate
- The most important consideration in dealing with someone who is threatening violence is their safety, security of the person who is being threatened, pedestrian safety and, ultimately, the safety of the violent person.
What say and do
- Remove the media to violence whenever possible.
- Keep sentences short, repeated if is necessary and use a minimal amount of words.
- Keep a safe distance.
- One person should speak at once, keep viewers a minimum
- Speak slowly, calmly, quietly.
- Keep calm, nonthreatening environment. Reduce noise, lights, people unnecessary and encouragement.
- Listen and ask for clarification of the statements of the person.
What to say and do
- Do not joke.
- Do not talk too much.
- Do not have more than one person talking to the person at a time.
- Do not talk too loud or too fast.
- Do not overwhelm the person with stimuli.
- Do not touch the person or get too close.
- Do not make quick movements or hand in pockets.
- Do not interpret what the patient is saying, or jump to conclusions.
- Not being critical, try to understand the point of view people.
- Do not respond to verbal challenges.
- Avoiding the debate and confrontation.
Empathy is the more effective communication tool for the calm and angry person, diffuse anger and violence prevention. Learning to use empathy and making statements of empathy should be a goal of anyone who works with the public.
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Virginia J. Duffy PhD Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Author, Seminar leader, Consultant. Practical, Jargon-Free, and Professional Information and Advice
Check out My Website http://www.PsychSense.com for: Mental Health Tidbits & Blog, questions and answers, and articles on a variety of mental health related topics. While there look at my Crisis Intervention Manual:
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Social Anxiety & Agoraphobia
