Beyond the Stereotype: Schizophrenia and Violence

Despite disabilities affecting over a billion people worldwide, their representation in media remains strikingly limited and often inaccurate. This disparity shapes public perceptions and impacts those living with these conditions. “Psychosis and Violence: Debunking the Misconceptions” challenges misconceptions about schizophrenia - particularly the myth linking it with violence - through expert insights and compassionate storytelling, inviting us all to rethink stigma and embrace a more truthful narrative.

According to the World Health Organisation, as of March 2023, 1.3 billion people (16% of the global population) were living with some form of disability, visible or not. However, in the UK only 8.2% of on-screen characters represent the disabled community, which is disproportionate to the community. A study by Nielsen found that 52% of disabled people felt that the portrayal of disabilities on screen is inaccurate. 

What happens when disorders are consistently presented in a bad light? What if their representation is inaccurate to the nature of the disorder? The reality presented on screen can be damaging to individuals with the condition and their families. Whose responsibility is it to undo this damage?

Episode 3 of the World Schizophrenia Day podcast series, “Look again: Mental Illness Re-Examined” answers some of these questions and dives deeper into the relationship between schizophrenia and violence. Podcast host Faydra Aldridge and guest speaker Dr. Rakesh Lamba, Medical Director at BC Mental Health and Substance Use Services, also break down the misconceptions and offer true-to-reality insights into living with this mental illness. 

A common trope seen on screen is a violent and criminal depiction of schizophrenia, for example in Images, Criminal Minds, Spider, and Psycho. Dr. Lamba discusses that, although there is a relationship between violence and this disorder, it is not common for psychotic episodes to incline towards violence; there are positive episodes, where the affected person performs actions that do not affect anyone but themselves, in a good way! 

Surprisingly, only 10% of recorded crimes are committed by those affected by psychosis. Of this percentage of cases, the majority are enacted by untreated or undiagnosed cases; for example, they may be experiencing their first episode, unaware of their own actions. These numbers decline once a diagnosis has been made and the appropriate medication is prescribed. I particularly liked how Dr Lamba mentioned the cycle of feelings that the patients experience after they regain consciousness: shame, guilt, remorse. This enabled me to understand how they may be incapable of understanding their actions while performing them and that they subsequently judge themselves by the same societal rules and expectations as other people may view them. It is as though they become a spectator to their own actions when going through an episode.  

This insight shifts us away from the misconception that actions performed during psychosis are always violent or conscious. However, he did affirm the need for balance; a relationship between psychosis and violence cannot be left without acknowledgement. Both patients and family must be aware of the possibility of violence, although not affecting as many as are disproportionately portrayed by the media. 

 I believe that when someone commits a crime while experiencing a serious mental health crisis, compassion and treatment should be prioritised alongside accountability.

I was relieved when Dr Lamba explained that all criminals go through a full assessment of their health, both physical and mental, after being detained and before being presented in court. This increases the likelihood that they receive the right treatment and justified judgement of their actions. I believe that when someone commits a crime while experiencing a serious mental health crisis, compassion and treatment should be prioritised alongside accountability.

As I mentioned previously, individuals experiencing a severe mental health crisis may, in some ways, be spectators of their own actions, and could also be considered victims of the disorder. In some cases, professional help, monitoring, and appropriate treatment may be more effective than incarceration in supporting both the individual and community safety.

The guest is asked how, if at all, we can combat the fear the media has instilled in us about the disorder. To this, he replies that we all play a role in the undoing of this fear, from mental health professionals who should highlight that this relationship is not automatic, to the general public. Although I do agree with this, I personally think that the media should take more responsibility for feeding us a false narrative about schizophrenia. They should fund new projects that portray the disorder in its true form, not a skewed version that pushes their agenda. Initiatives such as advertisements and posters could help, similar to what we are already doing to destigmatise people with Down’s syndrome, for example in the advertisement “Assume that I can”, which resulted in a shift in public perception and promoted inclusion. This is what we need to do for people with schizophrenia.    

This episode excels in providing a well-rounded educational experience, where Dr. Lamba’s expertise, passion and care for his patients shines through, positioning it as a good resource for anyone seeking to understand schizophrenia better. Overall, the balance maintained throughout the episode, between scientific inclination and human-centred story telling, make it ideal for the general public to understand the inaccuracies presented about schizophrenia, as well as for professionals and individuals affected by schizophrenia. 

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This article was written by Aiman Muhammad and edited by Rebecca Pope, with graphics produced by Ishika Joshi. If you enjoyed this article, be the first to be notified about new posts by signing up to become a WiNUK member (top right of this page)! Interested in writing for WiNUK yourself? Contact us through the blog page and the editors will be in touch.