Detection of the Dangerous Paranoid Patient

Abstract

Of all patients with paranoid delusions, only some are potentially dangerous and by no means do all of these become assaultive or homocidal. It is important for physicians to be aware of the potential dangers of paranoid patients and it is equally important for them to be sensitive to the signs of a change in equilibrium within the patient which may lead him to become dangerous. This article discusses clues leading to detection of potentially dangerous patients and of potentially dangerous situations, and describes signs of impending danger.