Patricide and Matricide among Psychiatric Patients
MARIA DIAOURTA-TSITOURIDOU, SAVVAS TSITOURIDIS

In this study, 51 psychiatric patients who had committed or attempted to commit patricide (22 males, 2 females), matricide (23 males, 1 female) or double parricide (3 males) were retrospectively studied. All of them were hospitalized in the Psychiatric Hospital of Attika (Athens, Greece) during a 40 - year period (1951 - 1990), after they had been adjudged as insane, legally irresponsible and dangerous persons, according to the Greek Penal Law (art. 34 and 69).

A persecutory delusion of specific content that the father - victim attempted to humiliate or eliminate the patient, morally or even physically, or a constant rivalry with him was the most sugnificant finding noticed among particidal patients, who often used a gun or a knife. On the contrary, the most Important finding, noticed among matricidal patients was a chaotic delusion or an intention for disruption of the oppressive presence of the mother, upon whom they exerted great physical violence, often in combination with various means.

The patients were young enough at illnens onset, although matricidal patients constantly tended to have a higher age at illnens onset, in all diagnostic categories.

The majority were unmarried, of low educational level, derived from large families, committed the crime few years after the illness onset and had displayed aggressiveness already before the crime.

They suffered mainly from Schizophrenia (Paranoid type the particidal, nonparanoid the matricidal patients) and Schizoaffective Disorders, whereas a small but clinically distinguishable proportion of the patients charged with matricide suffered from Mood Disorders.

Nonspecific EEG abnormalities were often found among nonepileptic patients. These abnormalities progressively disappeared without any specific treatment.

Finally, the three males charged with double parricide, had significant similarities to particidal males but they used means requiring the exertion of physical violence, as matricidal patients did.

Key words: patricide, matricide, double parricide, aggresiveness, violence, Psychiatric disorders.