Firesetting by Patients with the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS)
Authors: Mary Ann Adler Cohen
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1990)

Letters and Corrections1 March 1990Firesetting by Patients with the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS)Mary Ann Adler Cohen, MD, Asher D. Aladjem, MD, David Bremin, BA, Mohammed Ghazi, MDMary Ann Adler Cohen, MD, Asher D. Aladjem, MD, David Bremin, BA, Mohammed Ghazi, MDAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-112-5-386_2 SectionsAboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail ExcerptTo the Editor: Firesetting is a dangerous concomitant of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-associated dementia. At Metropolitan Hospital Center we have seen three firesetters with HIV-associated dementia. The first patient accidentally ignited his pajamas while he was smoking. The pajamas belonged to him and were not flame-retardant. He sustained third-degree burns over 70% of his body and died in the burn unit of another hospital. The second patient survived after deliberately setting himself on fire at home. We report the case of a third patient with HIV-associated dementia and an antisocial personality disorder.The patient was a 49-year-old divorced, unemployed security...References1. Geller J. Firesetting in the adult psychiatric population. Hosp Community Psychiatry. 1987;38:501-6. MedlineGoogle Scholar2. Cohen M. A biopsychosocial approach to the human immunodeficiency virus epidemic. Gen Hosp Psychiatry. 1990;12:98-123. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar3. Cohen M. Psychiatric aspects of AIDS: a biopsychosocial approach. In: Wormser GP, Stahl RE, Bottone EJ, eds. AIDS, Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome and Other Manifestations of HIV Infection. Park Ridge, New Jersey: Noyes Publications; 1987:579-622. Google Scholar4. CohenWeisman MH. A biopsychosocial approach to AIDS. Psychosomatics. 1986;27:245-9. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar5. CohenWeismanVazquez MHC. The acquired immunodeficiency syndrome: a psychiatric crisis. New York Medical Quarterly. 1988;8:53-8. Google Scholar This content is PDF only. To continue reading please click on the PDF icon. Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: Metropolitan Hospital Center New York Medical College New York, NY 10029 PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics Cited BySelf-Immolation in Sub-Saharan AfricaAIDS Psychiatry: Psychiatric and Palliative Care, and Pain ManagementMaximizing life's potentials in AIDS: A psychopharmacologic updateCriminal Behavioral Assessment of Arsonists, Pyromaniacs, and Multiple FiresettersPsychiatric Care in an AIDS Nursing HomePsychiatric Morbidity in HIV PatientsHIV-dementia and suicideEnrollment of Drug Abusers in HIV Clinical Trials: A Public Health Imperative for Communities of ColorArson in Review: From Profit to PathologyJuvenile fire setting and the photoparoxysmal responsePathological firesetting in adultsWho repeats? A follow-up study of state hospital patients' firesetting behaviorZusammenfassungFiresetting 1 March 1990Volume 112, Issue 5Page: 386-387KeywordsAIDSBurnsDementiaHIVPersonality disorders Issue Published: 1 March 1990 PDF DownloadLoading ...