Conclusion
Most patients with schizophrenia and bipolar
disorder are not violent. Nevertheless, the risk of
violence in patients with these disorders is greater than
in general population. This risk is particularly high in
schizophrenia and bipolar disorder with comorbid
substance use disorders and personality disorders, but it
exists even without such comorbidities. Pharmacological
treatments are the principal tools to manage
violence in psychoses. However, their effectiveness is
limited due to inherent treatment resistance, treatment
non-adherence, and the fact that some violent behavior
in patients diagnosed with schizophrenia or bipolar
disorder is not directly caused by psychosis. Comorbidities
are frequently implicated in violent behavior of
psychotic patients, and their detection and treatment are
therefore of primary importance. Psychosocial treatments
are necessary components of the management of
violence in psychosis.