Citation

Lindqvist P. Crim. Behav. Ment. Health 2007; 17(4): 242-249.

Affiliation

Division of Forensic Psychiatry, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden. per.lindqvist@ki.se

Copyright

(Copyright © 2007, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1002/cbm.658

PMID

17902114

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Professional standards in psychiatry, especially concerning the care of people with the combined clinical presentation of psychiatric symptoms, substance misuse and violent behaviour - the 'triply troubled', have been subject to much criticism in Sweden. AIMS: To present the current Swedish situation concerning treatment and care of 'the triply troubled' and to discuss future development. METHODS: Analysis of official government documents and contemporary literature as a basis for a personal assessment of the current state of the art. RESULTS: Due to the work of a government task force, the National Psychiatric Services Commission, considerable improvements have been seen for treating substance-abusing mentally disordered people who are not aggressively or criminally inclined. This is less true for 'the triply troubled'. CONCLUSION/IMPLICATIONS: The 'triply troubled' should be given higher priority in mental health services and there is a salient need for more extensive professional training, service improvement, method development and overarching coordination and planning for these people.

Language: en