JAAPL
HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced]


     

J Am Acad Psychiatry Law 33:3:310-316 (2005)
Copyright © 2005 by the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law.
This Article
Right arrow Full Text
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Mela, M.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Mela, M.
REGULAR ARTICLE

Folie à Trois in a Multilevel Security Forensic Treatment Center: Forensic and Ethics-Related Implications

Mansfield Mela, MRCPsych, MSc

This article was reviewed by the Regional Psychiatric Center Research Review Committee and approved for publication. Dr. Mela is Consultant Psychiatrist, Regional Psychiatric Center, and Clinical Tutor, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. Address correspondence to: Mansfield Mela, MRCPsych, MSc, 207 Briarvale Bay, Saskatoon, Canada S7V 1B8. E-mail: melama{at}csc-scc.gc.ca

Shared (Induced) Delusional Disorder commonly occurs in close relationships and involves a varying number of participants who may be nonconsanguineous. The disorder has been associated with forensic and fatal consequences. Its occurrence in three nonrelated, incarcerated individuals is described in this article. This case of folie à trois has forensic implications and raises several questions of ethics that relate to autonomy, confidentiality, safety, and risk estimation. The presentation, management, and outcome of the patients suggest that a high index of suspicion is needed to detect cases in similar settings. The report concludes that the rarity of the disorder in a forensic mental health population may be the result of underdetection, given that conditions are conducive to the development of the disorder. Telltale signs of its manifestation are hypothesized as being responsible for some events in incarcerated populations. Physical separation and antipsychotic medications remain the mainstay of treatment.






HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
Copyright © 2005 by the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law.