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 factors that we know are correlated with violence. The person’s history is the most important information to have when trying to assess risk of violence.
Risk Factors for Violence
- It is important to note that a mental illness diagnosis does not necessarily increase the risk of violence, although the presence of command hallucinations and/or paranoid delusions does.
- Males under the age of 30
- Previous history of violence including domestic violence is the most reliable predictor of current threat level.
- Victim or witness to childhood violence
- Record of criminal behavior
- Social isolation/exclusion
- History of substance abuse
How to Prevent Violence
Violence cannot always be prevented but we can reduce the risk by using some of the following techniques. Prevention is the best accomplished by dealing with angry and potentially violent people early when problems arise. Waiting till it reaches a crisis level is the most dangerous thing to do.
- In dealing with angry or potentially violent persons empathy is the most effective communication tool to use. It helps to diffuse anger and deescalate the situation
- The most important consideration in dealing with someone who is threatening violence is your safety, the safety of the person being threatened, the safety of bystanders and finally the safety of the violent person.
Sponsored by -
>Herbal medicines | Medical treatment Center | Herbal treatment
