The nature of a psychopath

The Times ^ | TUESDAY NOVEMBER 06 2001 | MEDICAL BRIEFING BY DR THOMAS STUTTAFORD

[Map Kernow]

THE Foreign Secretary made his feelings clear when he said that Osama bin Laden’s state of mind was psychotic, but Mr Straw’s terminology was awry.

Psychosis is the term for a group of mental diseases such as schizophrenia and some types of manic depression. They are characterised by the patient being paranoid, deluded and having hallucinations — auditory, visual or olfactory — and gross disturbances of the thought processes.

There is no evidence that bin Laden suffers from any mental disease, let alone that he is psychotic, but his behaviour makes it highly likely that he has a serious personality disorder, and is what is commonly known as a psychopath. There certainly is evidence that he is not only antisocial but irresponsible, impulsive, without regard for the truth, without conscience and lacking remorse or anxiety about his actions.

He appears to be indifferent to the distress, destruction and unhappiness that his actions bring about, and he takes obvious risks with his own and other people’s safety. As with most people with an antisocial personality, he is egocentric and insensitive.

Although bin Laden’s childhood was financially secure, he was pre-adolescent when his father died. His mother was not accepted by the extended family. Some doctors suggest that psychopathy results not only from inheriting the wrong genes, but being starved of affection and acceptance in early life.

Bin Laden’s charisma and superficial charm are such that he dominates gatherings. Research has shown that, in families in which an unusual number of its members were notable for their charm, an unusually large number were also psychopaths.

[Map Kernow]

Substitute "Clinton" for "bin Laden" and you still have an informative article.

[libertylover]

That's just what I was thinking, except for the antisocial part. Clinton can't stand it when he's not the center of attention.

[RLK]

I would doubt that bin Laden is a true psychopath. He adheres very strictly to a value system. However, that value system teaches anyone that disagrees with it as being subject to being killed.

[Sabertooth]

bttt

[SauronOfMordor]

Islam is a psychopathic belief-system

[RLK]

My position is that Islam is a psychopathological belief system. The true psychopath believes in very little except his own desires. Contrary to that Islamics have strong religious beliefs and are dedicated to a moral code. The problem is their belief and code is warped.

[uvular]

Has anyone read anything about these folks (Northern Alliance and Taliban fighters, for instance)doing any type of drugs? Like maybe lacing their cigarettes with something?

Saw a show on Discovery recently where a tribe leader was basically holed up in his yurt smoking opium all day, under the claim there was no other medicine for illnesses or pain.

[Liberal Classic]

He's sane enough. He kills for politics, power, and fear. Manson or Hinkley are psychotics, they kill for the hell of it.

[Map Kernow]

Has anyone read anything about these folks (Northern Alliance and Taliban fighters, for instance)doing any type of drugs? Like maybe lacing their cigarettes with something?

There's certainly a lot of opium base and hashish to be had in Afghanistan. And I wonder if a kind of narcotic called qat, which is a green leaf like the coca leaf that they chew in the Arabian Peninsula and Horn of Africa for intoxication, is available in Afghanistan.

[jerod]

...his behaviour makes it highly likely that he has a serious personality disorder, and is what is commonly known as a psychopath. There certainly is evidence that he is not only ****social but irresponsible, impulsive, without regard for the truth, without conscience and lacking remorse or anxiety about his actions.

That sounds like Clinton.

Of course, everyone here on FreeRepublic recognized that Clinton was a psychopath a long time ago. Thank God he left office. I thought that nut was going to declare a dictatorship, rather than give up the Presidency.

[onyx]

I agree with you. Sociopaths make up the rules as they go along (whatever suits their bent). OBL's sociopathy is rooted in Islam, whereas Clinton's is narcissistic.

[uvular]

Qat was on my mind too, but couldn't remember who it was chewing it!

Just seems like giving those troops some sort of drug would assist in keeping them in line, let alone wondering if Osama and/or Mullah are holed up in their own yurts or caves, doing the same all day.

[shrinkermd]

I agree with RLK. He is not a typical psychopath. Incidentally, this is a behavioral constellation, which by definition, must be found by late childhood or early adolescence.

Some people are truly evil, sinful and satanic. If OBL has a mental disorder it is either Paranoid Personality or Paranoid State. Avoiding technicalities the characteristics of a Paranoid Personality are suspects others are after or bear him ill will, preoccupied with doubts as to the loyalty of others, reluctant to confide in others, reads demeaning things into innocent comments and events, bears grudges, quick to react to real or imagined slights with rage and prone to question the fidelity and integrity of close associates and spouse.

Clinton is an intersting man. He is a typical "Wonder Kid" of an alcoholic parent. Narcissism yes. Antisocial traits only perhaps. Again, the problem is that committing sinful acts is not a diagnosis.

[ladygrace]

I think this article is referring to the "antisocial personality disorder", formerly referred to as the psychopathic personality.

The term "antisocial personality" is somewhat of a misnomer because one of the hallmarks of antisocial personality types is their ability to charm and persuade others. (The psychiatric term "antisocial" may have been chosen because the behavior usually adversely affects society). To understand the antisocial personality best it is wise to remember that they are incapable of sustaining any persistenly sincere emotion. This "vacuum of emotion" causes them to constantly seek stimulation by engaging in risk-taking behaviors.

To summarize the antisocial personality more succintly, "they have little or no conscience."

Yup, sounds like Clinton to me.

[ladygrace]

I think this article is referring to the "antisocial personality disorder", formerly referred to as the psychopathic personality.

The term "antisocial personality" is somewhat of a misnomer because one of the hallmarks of antisocial personality types is their ability to charm and persuade others. (The psychiatric term "antisocial" may have been chosen because the behavior usually adversely affects society). To understand the antisocial personality best it is wise to remember that they are incapable of sustaining any persistenly sincere emotion. This "vacuum of emotion" causes them to constantly seek stimulation by engaging in risk-taking behaviors.

To summarize the antisocial personality more succintly, "they have little or no conscience."

Yup, sounds like Clinton to me.