Predisposing conditions in the amoker (amok runner):
(1) severe depression or anxiety, with some persons reportedly wanting to commit suicide but finding themselves unable to do so
(2) psychosis with or without paranoia
(3) drug-induced frenzy
(4) infection, including neurosyphilis
A person with a strong affinity for weapons and a tendency to act out may be more prone to the behavior (Adler et al, 1994).
Classic stages (Schmidt et al, 1977):
(1) prodrome: brooding, obsessive rumination, irritability, withdrawal, aggressive responses to others
(2) homicidal frenzy, with uncontrollable aggression towards others without reason
(3) behavior continues until forced to stop by physical restraint, death at the hands of bystanders or physical collapse from exhaustion
(4) if not killed, partial or complete amnesia afterwards
