Metabolic syndrome in patients who have been subjected to isolation security measures and treated with atypical antipsychotics.

Objectives: The main aim of the study was to assess the incidence of metabolic syndrome and its individual components in patients subject to a confinement measure, treated with antipsychotics in mono - or polytherapy. Additional objectives included the analysis of associations between the occurrence of metabolic syndrome and patients' age, psychiatric diagnosis, overweight or obesity, and the presence of addictions to psychoactive substances.

Methods: The study involved 61 patients of the Department of Forensic Psychiatry, including 9 women and 52 men, subject to a confinement measure from September 2019 to August 2021.

Insanity as a consequence of an epileptic seizure and precautionary measures.

The analysis covers the case of a driver suffering from epilepsy for many years, who during an epileptic seizure, in a state of profound disturbance of consciousness, caused a road accident. Such situations usually result in the perpetrator being considered insane in relation to the allegation. The task of expert psychiatrists and psychologists is then to assess the likelihood of the perpetrator of the prohibited act repeating it, and to indicate to the court the optimal therapeutic precautionary or penal measure.

Psychological impediments to marriage - forensic and psychiatric opinions. Part II.

Episcopal courts adjudicate in proceedings for declaring a marriage void and in these cases psychiatrists and psychologists are appointed as experts. Expert judgment requires the expert to follow a specific substantive approach when preparing the expertise, as well as knowledge of canon legal provisions. Canon law makes validity of a relationship dependent on fulfilment of premises of a valid marriage at the time of the marriage, thus accepting the possibility of an invalid marriage.

Psychological impediments to marriage - forensic and psychiatric opinions. Part I.

There are two types of proceedings before common courts for annulment of marriages during which expert psychiatrists are appointed. In the first type, the key task of the expert is to assess whether the presence of mental illness or mental retardation at the date of the marriage could possibly pose a threat to the marriage or health of future offspring. The expert performs a retrospective assessment not only of the course and severity of psychiatric disorders strictly distinguished by the legislator, but also their impact on the social functioning of a given person.

Fear of imminent death - use of evidence in forensic-psychiatric expertise.

In accordance with the Polish civil law, there are at least several ways to dispose of property in the event of death. One of them is a special form of oral testament. The main issue to be determined by the court is to either confirm or deny the existence of fear of imminent death of the testator at the time of bequest.

Offenses motivated by erotic jealousy committed by mentally healthy people.

Most often jealousy is treated as a complex mental phenomenon, which consists of changes in emotional state, in cognitive and behavioral spheres, caused by erotic infidelity of a partner or a feeling of insecurity caused by a rival. It is estimated that factors contributing to this are a combination of dynamic affiliative factors, personality traits as well as environmental and social factors. Jealousy can take a reactive, anxious or possessive forms.

Pathological jealousy from forensic psychiatric perspective.

Jealousy is defined as a complex mental state caused by a real or false - imaginary - change in a way of perception of a threat of terminating a valued partnership in favor of a real or imaginary rival. Apart from jealousy demonstrated by mentally disordered people, but without symptoms of mental illness and obsessive jealousy, there is also a psychotic jealousy. One of diagnostic difficulties is to determine when a normal jealousy about a partner acquires delusional nature and the boundary between these two can be difficult to detect, which often is a concern of forensic psychiatrists.

Defendant's or convict's competency to stand trial - forensic psychiatric evaluation.

The purpose of this paper was to draw attention to particularly important aspects of pronouncing forensic psychiatric judgment regarding the accused or convicted individuals' competency to stand trial. The level of a person's mental capacity should be established using a structured psychiatric interview concerning a variety of aspects of a trial. Emphasis should be placed on evaluating the defendant's consciousness of the charges, knowledge of the potential punishment, ability to make significant decisions and be engaged in defense, knowledge about the role that particular people present in the courtroom play, understanding of the meaning of the evidence gathered in the case, the risk of aggression.