Substance abuse

Domestic Violence amid worries of pandemic

Link Michael Sefton, Ph.D. Human Behavior , , ,

Brian Gagan of People Results, a Scottsdale, Arizona consulting firm on the left with Dr. Michael Sefton, a psychologist provider in Massachusetts are interviewed by media outlets in Maine following publication of the Psychological Autopsy of Steven Lake, a northern Maine man who murdered his wife and children after being denied permission to attend his son’s 8th grade commencement celebration. The Psychological Autopsy is a detailed case study designed to uncover cues to precipitating factors in DVH. The research conducted in 2011 undertook over 200 hours of interviews and presented the Domestic Violence Review Board with over 50 recommendations for reducing high rates of domestic violence homicide in Maine. 

At times of stress, families struggle to maintain the emotional homeostasis that keeps them safe. The normal roles and hierarchy within a family system may erode. The social distancing required during the coronavirus outbreak has frayed many people into irrational and sometimes dangerous behaviors. Domestic violence thrives at times when the strain of social order violates family routine. Fear and uncertainty over physical health coupled with 7/24 news reporting of death and suffering can be overwhelming for some. 

As with many out of the ordinary times, the incidence of domestic violence increased amid fears of contracting Covid-19. In a Chicago suburb a man killed his wife and then himself as the couple waited for word on the virus swab they had taken together. Neither person tested positive for the virus. Their bodies were discovered after family member grew concerned after not hearing from them over several days. 

According to a Washington Post, Patrick Jesernik killed his girlfriend because he feared they had both contracted Covid -19. His girlfriend, Cheryl Schriefer was murdered after she developed symptoms including shortness of breath. The couple were discovered to be dead by Will County Sheriff’s deputies whose preliminary report suggests murder suicide. 

Star of Will County, Illinois Sheriff’s Department

Domestic violence homicide when Covid-19 strikes fear – coercion and control take over

There is no telling what triggered this tragic event. The Will County Sheriff’s Department had no prior contacts with the couple so no pattern of DV could be established. However, with fear of becoming infected with the virus it is plausible that Mr.Jasernik believed he was ending what he wrongly assumed would be a horrific end of life for them both amid the growing pandemic. 

Some hotlines for people suffering from anxiety and depression have reportedly received more calls, particularly in areas where the coronavirus is spreading rapidly like Maryland and Portland, Oregon, but the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline did not report an increase last week. (The phone number is 1-800-273-8255.)

Violence and psychotic people

Michael Sefton, Ph.D. Dangerousness assessment, Human Behavior , , , , ,

Among the most dramatic and menacing forms of mental illness are the psychotic disorders. These include people who have uncontrolled paranoid schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression with psychotic features, substance intoxication, and perhaps intermittent explosive disorder. Violence is not associated with mental illness per se.  There are factors that increase violent behavior among those who are mentally ill including persecutory ideation like suspiciousness and fear, and co-occurring alcohol dependence.  The most important way in which to reduce violence among citizens who are mentally ill is to provide some form of treatment to them.  Those who go without substantive treatment including psychotherapy are at greatest risk for becoming aggressive or violent according to Coid et al. (2016). These are the citizens who fly above the radar and are seen pacing the street corners in cities everywhere reciting from some unwritten preamble.  People walking avoid eye contact further pushing them to the margins of civility.  Eventually, the bottom falls out and the preamble comes to an incoherent end.  Either they move on or they are picked up for evaluation.

There are even greater numbers of psychotic people living under the radar.  Making their way in society, flying by the seat of their pants.  These people are often cared for by family members including elderly parents. When they relapse or “go off the rails”, caregivers often need the help of police to gain compliance with their loved ones.  Sometimes the police are called to restore the peace and compel the emotionally disturbed person into treatment.  For those individuals who relapse and are substance dependent i.e. alcoholic, the risk for violence is elevated.  These people require special understanding and sensitivity in order to establish a trust and to help them see their behavior patterns and risk taking behavior for themselves.  No easy task.

More recently, meta-analyses and case register studies concluded that psychiatric disorders are associated with violence, but that the relationship is largely or entirely explained by comorbid substance misuse. Fazel et al. (2009)

Fazel S, Gulati G, Linsell, L, Geddes, JR, Grann, M. (2009) Schizophrenia and violence: systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS Med. 6: e1000120.
Coid, JW,  Ullrich, SP, Bebbington S, Fazel, R,  Keers, R (2016). Schizophrenia Bulletin, Volume 42, Issue 4, Pages 907–915, https://doi.org/10.1093/schbul/sbw006 taken May 9, 2019