Self and other directed violence on a closed acute-care ward.

Violence to self and to others on a locked, acute-care unit is reported for a three-year period. Drug abuse correlated strongly with both types of violence. Self-violence appeared to be a more predictable event due to its diagnostic specificity, history of prior violence and timing of the episodes. Assaults occurred more randomly demonstrating only a mild association with schizophrenia, but not with other psychotic disorders.