Dr. Stephen Dinwiddie
ON THE RECORD · 12 verbatim quotes · every quote source-verified
“If they've behaved in a violent fashion while ill in the past and now they're ill, obviously that's important information and obviously that's something to worry about,”
Dr. Stephen Dinwiddie · said date not stated · reported 2026-09-20
Dinwiddie said treatment can dramatically change how psychiatrists evaluate a person's future risk.
“I think most of us believe that our interventions can prevent tragedies,”
Dr. Stephen Dinwiddie · said date not stated · reported 2026-09-20
Dinwiddie said most psychiatrists believe their interventions can prevent tragedies.
“Dangerous to whom? Imminently or long-term? Dangerous in a physical way or something else?”
Dr. Stephen Dinwiddie · said date not stated · reported 2026-09-20
Dinwiddie described the concept of dangerousness as imprecise, raising questions about to whom and in what manner someone poses a threat.
“Obviously we're talking more about what we're afraid they're going to do tomorrow,”
Dr. Stephen Dinwiddie · said date not stated · reported 2026-09-20
Dinwiddie said psychiatrists approach dangerousness as a forward-looking assessment rather than a permanent label.
“The tragic fact is they are like us and severe mental illness can affect family members. It can affect anybody.”
Dr. Stephen Dinwiddie · said date not stated · reported 2026-09-20
Dinwiddie noted that severe mental illness can affect anybody, including family members.
“Nobody would wish that upon themselves.”
Dr. Stephen Dinwiddie · said date not stated · reported 2026-09-20
Dinwiddie stated that nobody would wish a psychotic process upon themselves.
“Part of that prediction is based on what they did yesterday ... what they did in the past ... and what they have said they intend to do.”
Dr. Stephen Dinwiddie · said date not stated · reported 2026-09-20
Dinwiddie said part of predicting dangerousness is based on a person's past conduct and stated intentions.
“The fact that somebody has evidence of a psychotic process ... that is not a matter of choice,”
Dr. Stephen Dinwiddie · said date not stated · reported 2026-09-20
Dinwiddie emphasized that psychosis is not a matter of choice.
“If we don't act, something bad is going to happen within a matter of days, if not sooner.”
Dr. Stephen Dinwiddie · said date not stated · reported 2026-09-20
Dinwiddie explained the rationale for civil commitment proceedings, where judges decide if someone needs treatment because they present a short-term danger.
“I think one misconception is they're just different. They're not like us,”
Dr. Stephen Dinwiddie · said date not stated · reported 2026-09-20
Dinwiddie cautioned that psychosis alone does not make someone dangerous and addressed the misconception that people with mental illness are fundamentally different.
“Within that delusional system, people can act in a very organized, very logical, very purposeful way,”
Dr. Stephen Dinwiddie · said date not stated · reported 2026-09-20
Dinwiddie described the concept of rationality within irrationality, explaining that people experiencing psychosis can act in organized and purposeful ways.
“The intervention obviously is to try to get at that particular symptom of illness and get it under control.”
Dr. Stephen Dinwiddie · said date not stated · reported 2026-09-20
Dinwiddie said the intervention is to try to get the particular symptom of illness under control.