A causal link was becoming increasing apparent. I would like to emphasize that the vast majority of patients who know they have LD are not violent. It is not my intention to draw attention to an issue that further increases the stigma that LD patients already receive. However, it is my intention to methodically look at the association that does seem to exist between LD and aggressive behavior in a minority of chronic LD patients. Clearly violence is a very complex issue.
Many different factors have contributory or deterrent effects.
Many also had a history of abuse. Sometimes the abuse precedes or causes the neurological impairment. Sometimes the neurological impairment precedes or causes the abuse. Neurological impairments and abuse either alone or in combination are significant risk factors that increase the potential for violence. Other risk factors are significant in some cases.