I’ve met, over the years, quite a few people with manic/depressive disorders, bipolar disorders, depressions, and other types of mental problems. Some seem to have trouble with these neuroses, but some function even without medication. I’ve heard them called operating, or functional -insert disorder name here-.
This leads me to wonder if there are functionl psychotics as well. Would this be the case regarding Nash in A Beautiful Mind? Are there people out there with extreme desires to kill who maintain a day-to-day living suppressing those urges by force of will?
Personally, I know I think about killing people. All the time. I’ve told close friends how I have worked out in intricate detail how to kill, steal, commit arson, and numerous other detestable acts, without getting caught. Most of them are suprised at how well thought out these plans are, and how much time I must have spent on them. To me its just the natrual process of my mind.
When I boil it all down, most of the time I don’t even think of the acts as wrong. I just don’t want to get in trouble. Am I an Operating Psychotic?
psychotic is an old term from Fruedian days. IIRC, it doesn’t have much clinical meaning these days. However, it does have the common, everyday usage meaning, though.
The methodical description of planning crimes suggests a sociopath rather than a psychotic. Or just a wannabe criminal who sees himself as a latter-day Professor Moriarty or Lex Luthor.
Now, if you were methodically planning your defenses against the CIA agents who are breaking into your house nightly to install Martian transmitters in your teeth, then you’d sound psychotic, or more accurately schizophrenic, which is more descriptive of the man portrayed in Beautiful Mind.
In any case, you can seek out personality tests and whatnot.
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When I boil it all down, most of the time I don’t even think of the acts as wrong.
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Your self-description is a classic description of a “sociopath”, or someone with sociopathic tendencies. You would be classified as “psychotic” if you indulged in such fantasies or acted out accordingly. However, once you give in to such fantasies, the wall between fantasy and reality has been breached – and forever more blurred – thus making you a “psychopath”.
I would suggest getting professional psychiatric treatment (not just counseling) in dealing with such impulses, which appears to be highly antisocial in nature.
There are highly effective antipsychotic – or “neuroleptics” – prescription pharmaceuticals like “Haldol” or “trilafon” that are available with a psychiatrist’s prescription. Such medications are quite effective in dealing with hallucinations and thought disturbances and modern advances has made conventional antipsychotics such as these extremely safe with few if any side effects at low doses. Please get help now. Your thoughts are not normal, and could pose a danger to yourself, as well as others, if not contained.
Actually, it means that one is experiencing hallucinations, delusions, or a thought disorder. It is often used in clinical settings with regard to people with, well, psychotic disorders, or mood disorders with psychotic features.
Sure, there’s psychopaths all over the place that never actually commit the legal definition of a crime. The very factors that make a successful psychopath also make exceedingly successful business tycoons and Wall Street sharks.
“Without Conscience: The Disturbing World of the Psychopaths Among Us” by Dr. Robert Hare is an excellent layperson’s guide to such things.
Where does one draw the line between antisocial, narcissitic, sociopath etc? On the clinical tests, I’ve scored often as anti-social, narcissist due to my rather callous and aggressive nature. I’m wondering to what degree you must exhibit these characteristics before it is defined as a disorder? I function normally in society, I have friends, and a significant other (hopefully fiancee’ soon ) and a good job. I found that my personality “abberrations” made me ideal for working in highly individual workplace. So is this only a problem when the person with such a “Disorder” is placed in what for them would be a hostile environment? Or is it something that would show through irregardless of place and situation?
I’m not a mental health professional, so I’m not really in a position to judge. In general, I’d say not, either because the OP has not in fact carried out such acts, (and, presumably, avoided responsibility for them), or because the OP recognises that carrying out such acts would not be in his or her best interest, whether or not s/he sees them as ‘wrong’.
But I am rather curious about that last quoted paragraph. If it’s not too much of a hijack, what does the OP mean by saying the murder of any particular person is not ‘wrong’?
Okay, so you’ve devised the perfect crime. Now, think a bit more and work out how a clever detective could find you out. Write it down. Send it in to the makers of Columbo. You never know, you might become a great screenwriter.
No, I don’t believe murder is wrong. Not socially speaking anyway. I believe that as our society as a whole has found methods for extending life and increasing population, natural equilibrium takes hold through greed, anger, fear, etc… and creates murders. Until the population is low enough so that society can address individual issues properly, some individuals will dissent and murder.
Generally speaking, no. Those who I keep as friends I care quite alot about, and would go to great lengths to assure their safety and happiness.
I have seen both counselors and psychiatrists. Their diagnosis has been a consistant; very intelligent, poorly adjusted, but good natured. I dunno if its a defense mechanism that makes me want to defend my true nature and put on a kinder face, or if they were just dumb.
I’ve known I was a sociopath for quite some time. There are also some tendencies toward megalomania and delusions of grandeur. I’m aware of this, kind of resigned myself to it all as personality “quirks.” I’m evil, at least by society’s standards, and I’m ok with it.
No, I don’t believe murder is wrong. Not socially speaking anyway. I believe that as our society as a whole has found methods for extending life and increasing population, natural equilibrium takes hold through greed, anger, fear, etc… and creates murders. Until the population is low enough so that society can address individual issues properly, some individuals will dissent and murder.
Generally speaking, no. Those who I keep as friends I care quite alot about, and would go to great lengths to assure their safety and happiness.
I have seen both counselors and psychiatrists. Their diagnosis has been a consistant; very intelligent, poorly adjusted, but good natured. I dunno if its a defense mechanism that makes me want to defend my true nature and put on a kinder face, or if they were just dumb.
I’ve known I was a sociopath for quite some time. There are also some tendencies toward megalomania and delusions of grandeur. I’m aware of this, kind of resigned myself to it all as personality “quirks.” I’m evil, at least by society’s standards, and I’m ok with it.
antisocial and narcissistic are personality traits, sociopath is a label put on people who consistently violate the basic rights of others without regard for their humanity. For most purposes, antisocial and soicopath are the same thing.
The problem is a “disorder” when the person isn’t able to function in relationships, work, school, etc. because of these personality characteristics. The problem, to put it in your context, is that the threshold for what constitutes a hostile environment is markedly lower for people with a disorder.
This is not to say that the disorder will be clear in all contexts, but certainly in some that matter.
I believe your perception is wildly incorrect. By far the largest instances of murder in modern society are the organized murders of warfare, and IMO one could hardly call that ‘dissent’. The above also does nothing to explain the vastly higher murder rates in the US than in such countries as the UK and Japan, both with far higher population densities, and equivalent average lifespans.
I trust you are aware, at least on an intellectual level, that few people would agree with your viewpoint that there is nothing inherently ‘wrong’ about murder, or the other crimes you have mentioned. I would argue that there is in fact something wrong with the idea of causing needless pain and suffering, since there is really quite a sufficient amount of both in life already.
In any event, unless you are leaving quite a lot indeed out of your story, you have presented no compelling reason why anyone whose death you may have contemplated deserves such a fate, nor what, if anything, you would stand to gain by carrying out such a purely wasteful act.
I’ll end my comments here, as I recognize that you did not request a debate about the moralities of or justifications for murder. Reading your messages, though, I’d join some of the others here in suggesting that you present the arguments you’ve made here to a mental health professional and see what he or she thinks.
Antisocial Personality Disorder is a DSM diagnostic category describing a person with a chronic history of violating the rights of others. It is the hierarchical next step developmentally from Conduct Disorder, and in fact requires a history of Conduct Disorder before age 15.
Psychopathy (sometimes used interchangably with sociopathy) is not a diagnostic categorization. In the most popular formulation at present (that developed by Robert Hare), it represents both impulsive and antisocial behaviors similar to APD, but also includes a set of indicators including qualities of callousness, manipulativeness, being cunning, glib and smooth.
Narcissistic Personality Disorder is a separate, distinct diagnostic category reflecting grandiose self-perception, a need for admiration and lack of concern for others.
As greck said, these are disorders when they are associated with significant impairment or distress, and are inflexible and maladaptive (and when criteria for the disorders are met). The terms obviously have a non-clinical connotation as well, and are used by anybody in a number of ways.
Would it be possible for someone with Narcissistic Personality Disorder to function in society? Would that person be inclined to be dismissive of the accomplishments of others, especially if the person with the NPD felt a little rivalry (such as one might find in a sibling relationship or a mother-daughter relationship?)
Is it possible to have more than one personality disorder?
Yes, many people with personality disorders are able to function in society.
That person definitely would be dismissive, and would feel intense rivalry, and the need to prove superiority. He/she would have an intense need to be admired by all, acknowledged as the foremost authority on everything (this would seem delusional in nature) and wouldn’t give a shit about anyone elses needs or feelings.
Most people I’ve encountered with personality disorders (mostly borderline) have had characteristics of others, and characteristics/prior diagnoses of other mental disorders as well. As a clinician, its a big red flag when someone tells you that they’ve been diagnosed with ptsd, bipolar disorder, major depression, anxiety disorder/panic attacks, etc. by various other therapists and psychiatrists.
Diagnosing someone with a personality disorder is a tricky thing and shouldn’t be taken lightly.
) and a good job. I found that my personality “abberrations” made me ideal for working in highly individual workplace. So is this only a problem when the person with such a “Disorder” is placed in what for them would be a hostile environment? Or is it something that would show through irregardless of place and situation?