Comments on: OCD and the Law – Part 2 http://www.ocdla.com/blog/ocd-law-2-816 OCD and Anxiety News Mon, 06 Feb 2012 02:28:53 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: OCD Center of Los Angeles http://www.ocdla.com/blog/ocd-law-2-816#comment-3479 OCD Center of Los Angeles Fri, 07 Jan 2011 02:40:01 +0000 http://www.ocdla.com/blog/?p=816#comment-3479 Nalinee, Thank you for your comments. The concern you raise is the exact reason we felt so passionate about blogging about OCD in criminal cases. People may read these stories when they first get media attention and come to the incorrect conclusion that these criminal actions are part of having OCD. It is unfortunate that some lawyers are willing to mislead judges and juries in an effort to defend their clients. Nalinee,

Thank you for your comments.

The concern you raise is the exact reason we felt so passionate about blogging about OCD in criminal cases. People may read these stories when they first get media attention and come to the incorrect conclusion that these criminal actions are part of having OCD. It is unfortunate that some lawyers are willing to mislead judges and juries in an effort to defend their clients.

]]> By: Nalinee T. http://www.ocdla.com/blog/ocd-law-2-816#comment-3469 Nalinee T. Thu, 06 Jan 2011 19:40:10 +0000 http://www.ocdla.com/blog/?p=816#comment-3469 Thank you everyone for fighting for people with OCD and try to make society understand that the real OCD people would not commit a crime like that. I think we suffer enough for what we have to go through everyday and I would not want the society to think that we are bad people and would do harm to others, or something like that. Prejudices and misunderstandings towards people with OCD will only make our lives even worse. Thank you everyone for fighting for people with OCD and try to make society understand that the real OCD people would not commit a crime like that. I think we suffer enough for what we have to go through everyday and I would not want the society to think that we are bad people and would do harm to others, or something like that. Prejudices and misunderstandings towards people with OCD will only make our lives even worse.

]]> By: Dr. Kathryn Seifert http://www.ocdla.com/blog/ocd-law-2-816#comment-1200 Dr. Kathryn Seifert Mon, 05 Jul 2010 15:13:43 +0000 http://www.ocdla.com/blog/?p=816#comment-1200 I have researched risk for violence for many years. Actually, people with mental illness are less likely to commit a violent act than someone in the general public, unless they are abusing substances (McArthur study). Adult violent behaviors are often a life long problem beginning in childhood. The more risk factors for violence one has the more likely it is that that person will be violent. These factors include: childhood abuse, neglect, or exposure to domestic violence, poor problem solving and social skills, prior violence, difficulties at work or at school, anger management problems, other behavior problems or criminal activity, family has low warmth and high conflict, mental illness, and substance abuse. There are protective factors, as well, which can lower the risk of acting out violently. It is never mental illness alone that is the cause of violence. I have researched risk for violence for many years. Actually, people with mental illness are less likely to commit a violent act than someone in the general public, unless they are abusing substances (McArthur study). Adult violent behaviors are often a life long problem beginning in childhood. The more risk factors for violence one has the more likely it is that that person will be violent. These factors include: childhood abuse, neglect, or exposure to domestic violence, poor problem solving and social skills, prior violence, difficulties at work or at school, anger management problems, other behavior problems or criminal activity, family has low warmth and high conflict, mental illness, and substance abuse. There are protective factors, as well, which can lower the risk of acting out violently. It is never mental illness alone that is the cause of violence.

]]> By: Gordon Graham http://www.ocdla.com/blog/ocd-law-2-816#comment-1131 Gordon Graham Wed, 23 Jun 2010 20:12:00 +0000 http://www.ocdla.com/blog/?p=816#comment-1131 What I find particularly interesting is that society's laws are based on the premise of rational and reasoned thought, which allows an individual to choose right-from-wrong. Such rationality is at the heart of economic theory. However, when economic theory is tested against 'real' people (as opposed to mathematical models), human behaviour doesn't follow predicted behaviour. Therefore, it is possible that humans are not rational! If such is the case then, whether the defense is OCD or another such disorder, society's laws may be misplaced and inappropriate for judging 'guilt' and 'innocence'. What I find particularly interesting is that society’s laws are based on the premise of rational and reasoned thought, which allows an individual to choose right-from-wrong. Such rationality is at the heart of economic theory. However, when economic theory is tested against ‘real’ people (as opposed to mathematical models), human behaviour doesn’t follow predicted behaviour. Therefore, it is possible that humans are not rational! If such is the case then, whether the defense is OCD or another such disorder, society’s laws may be misplaced and inappropriate for judging ‘guilt’ and ‘innocence’.

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