ISSN: 0022-1198
Published Online: 6 April 2005
Page Count: 4

Matricide by Person with Bipolar Disorder and Dependent Overcompliant Personality
Kakoulidis, CP
Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace. University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis,

Esagian, GS

Samakouri, MA
Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace. University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis,

Livaditis, MD
Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace. University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis,

Tzavaras, NA
Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace. University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis,

(Received 20 August 2004; accepted 1 January 2005)

Abstract

Matricide is an infrequent form of homicide. This paper is to present a case of matricide with typical characteristics of the act but interesting particularities as well. The perpetrator was a 43-year-old man, respected member of his community, with over compliant characteristics, eagerness in serving people and caring his parents, good social adaptation before and after the crime. He abandoned his family and work in order to better serve his old, disabled but over demanding mother who frequently insulted and humiliated him. Suddenly he came to a state of “mental confusion” and strangled her. After the crime, the perpetrator manifested the symptoms of a bipolar disorder and also received the diagnosis of dependant personality disorder. Years later, he presented again a crisis of escalating aggressive urge for which he was hospitalized. Many people and associations of his hometown actively demanded the minimal possible punishment for him. The case is discussed especially concerning: a) hypotheses about the aetiopathogeny of the act, b) the constant support provided to the perpetrator by his family and social environment.

Keywords:
forensic science, forensic psychiatry, matricide, bipolar disorder, dependent personality, episodic dyscontrol syndrome

Paper ID: JFS2004336
DOI: 10.1520/JFS2004336
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