Family homicide associated with the absence of psychiatric treatment during the COVID-10 pandemic: a case report
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25118/2763-9037.2023.v13.466Keywords:
homicide, COVID-19, psychotic disorders, domestic violence, quarantineAbstract
Introduction: In 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, several countries issued stay-at-home orders to prevent the spread of the virus. Soon after, a considerable increase in the rates of domestic violence could be observed, due to the confinement of aggressors and victims and greater coexistence between them. Case report: This is a case of familicide committed by a 27-year-old young man who, during a psychotic break, killed his father and a cousin. The aggressor had Paranoid Schizophrenia and, during the period of the COVID-19 pandemic, was without psychiatric care or use of psychotropic drugs, showing exacerbation of psychotic symptoms and criminal behavior. Discussion: It is noteworthy that the pandemic reduced access to mental health care and forced the mentally ill to live more with their family. This increased the vulnerability of this group and the risk of violence for themselves and others. The family of the seriously mentally ill person is usually the group most affected by violence in times of exacerbation of symptoms in the absence of treatment. Conclusion: In public health emergencies, it is important to have a strategy to prioritize psychiatric care for the seriously mentally ill, so that they are not left without support and at risk for themselves and others.
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