From David Marjot
There is a very practical application of knowing that decision-makers can be identified by their wide eyes (6 March, p 11). I used to work as a consultant psychiatrist in prisons and special psychiatric hospitals, and I noted that before a threatened or actual assault my patients’ pupils would dilate. I attributed this to the fight-or-flight reaction. It also applied to psychotic patients who were impulsively and therefore more unpredictably aggressive.
Rather than moving away, I found it better to stand shoulder-to-shoulder – a very supportive stance and not threatening.
A word of warning, though, if you are ever in this situation: in some circles it is common practice in a fight to hit an opponent with a sideways jerk of the head – so allow a little separation.
Weybridge, Surrey, UK
