RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Dangerous Delusions? Misidentification Syndromes and Professional Negligence
JF Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law Online
JO J Am Acad Psychiatry Law
FD American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law
SP 513
OP 521
VO 21
IS 4
A1 Stephen H. Dinwiddie
A1 Sean Yutzy
YR 1993
UL http://jaapl.org/content/21/4/513.abstract
AB A number of case histories have reported an association between the presence of misidentification syndromes and violent behavior. If patients with such delusions are truly more likely to perpetrate violent acts, treating mental health professionals could potentially be considered liable for not warning or protecting potential victims. However, the purported association between violence and misidentification can be adequately explained by biased case ascertainment and reporting. The current literature on misidentification syndromes is used as a means of demonstrating possible sources of error and bias that must be considered whenever mental health professionals are asked to reach conclusions about the relationship of rare events.