The research used the diagnostic categories of the American Psychiatric Association, together with violent behavior indicated in self-reports of arrest and fighting, police records of arrest, and incarceration records. Violence was classified as expressive or instrumental. Multivariate methodologies were used to control for age and other sources of variation. Findings challenge the common view that mental disorders and crime vary independently of one another. Instead, the results suggested a relationship between violence and some disorders and disorder symptoms. However, mental disorder did not appear to be a major factor accounting for the level of interpersonal violence in society. Disorder or disorder symptoms are sometimes important risk factors for violence, but issues related to mental disorders should not direct public policies aimed at controlling violence. Finally, public concern that current or former mental patients account for a disproportionate amount of interpersonal violence exaggerates the risk. Table and 2 references.