[The concept of insanity in Danish penal and mental health codes]

Ugeskr Laeger. 2010 Apr 26;172(17):1274-6.
[Article in Danish]

Abstract

The medical terms insanity and psychosis are used synonymously to describe a condition with substantial changes in the "total" personality and loss of realism. In the 10th revision of the diagnostic classification system ICD-10 (1994) the intention was to replace the term "psychosis" with "psychotic" to indicate the presence of hallucinations and delusions. However, in Danish legislation - most importantly in the penal code and the Mental Health Act - the term "insanity" is still in use. This difference has lead to diagnostic uncertainty, especially in clinical and forensic psychiatric practice.

Publication types

  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Denmark
  • Forensic Psychiatry / legislation & jurisprudence*
  • Humans
  • International Classification of Diseases
  • Mental Competency / classification
  • Mental Competency / legislation & jurisprudence*
  • Psychotic Disorders* / classification
  • Psychotic Disorders* / diagnosis
  • Terminology as Topic