Question

Question 4 options: a) Insane is a mental diagnosis that is associated with bizarre behavior b) Insane is a term used to describe someone who is diagnosed with schizophrenia c) Insane is actually better described as insanity which is a legal concept associated with determining a person’s competency to stand trial. d) None of the above

Answer 1

'Insane' is actually better described as insanity which is a legal concept associated with determining a person’s competency to stand trial. It is important to note that at present, insanity is not a 'medical diagnosis'. The disorders previously covered by the term, insanity are now being diagnosed as bipolar disorder, organic brain syndromes, schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders. It is again important to note that now-a-days, there is diagnosis of specific psychiatric diseases, rather than insanity. In discussions related to psychiatric illness, terms like psychopathology is used, instead of insanity.

Insanity is a legal term in the United States. The United States (U.S) criminal law, highlights insanity as an affirmative defense to criminal acts. It is important to note that the judge and or jury makes the final decision regarding an insanity defense. If the insanity plea is accepted in the U.S court of law, the defendant is sent to a psychiatric institution for a minimum of 60 days for examination. Re-examination takes place yearly, post examination.