Second Opinion On Insanity Plea In A Murder And Attempted Suicide Case: A Case Report
- Author:
Najwa Hanim Md Rosli
;
Badi’ah Yahya
;
Abdul Kadir Abu Bakar
- Publication Type:Case Reports
- Keywords:
Temporary insanity, mental retardation, sleeps deprivation,brief psychotic disorder, automatism
- From:ASEAN Journal of Psychiatry
2011;12(1):1-5
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Objectives: This paper aims to discuss the issue related to the application of temporary insanity plea through a case report of a man who was earlier certified as mentally sound following a murder and suicide attempt. Methods: We report a man who committed murder and attempted suicide 7 years ago, had a psychiatric certification of not having mental illness and recently requested for a second psychiatric assessment. The factors taken into consideration in arriving at the final diagnosis are discussed. Results: The man was found to have brief psychotic disorder precipitated by psychological blow and sleep deprivation with underlying undiagnosed borderline mental retardation.Conclusion: In assessing patient with temporary insanity plea, various areas in the history need to be explored deeply with thorough investigations to be done in order to arrive at a fair conclusion for the patient’s and victim’s sake.
