gitana1
Verified Attorney
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I just wanted to chime in with the WTH was wrong with Jen (and/or Sarah) conversation. NPD and BPD are thrown around a lot and both seem fitting to some degree, but Histrionic is an intriguing possibility in this case, to me.
For anyone unfamiliar with Histrionic Personality, here are the criteria. This article is comparing Histrionic to Borderline, but I've seen it compared with narcissism too.
HPD is one of 10 personality disorders recognized in the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). HPD is one of the Cluster B disorders, which are characterized as dramatic, overly emotional, and/or erratic.
The DSM-5 defines histrionic personality disorder as a pattern of extreme emotionality and attention seeking behavior that begins by early adulthood and is obvious in different situations. In addition, you must have five or more of the following signs or symptoms to be diagnosed with HPD:
Discomfort in situations in which you're not the center of attention
Interaction with others that's often characterized by inappropriate sexually seductive or provocative behavior
Rapidly shifting and shallow expression of emotion
Consistently uses physical appearance to draw attention to self
Style of speech that is excessively impressionistic and lacking in detail
Shows self-dramatization, theatricality, and exaggerated expression of emotion
Is easily influenced by others or by circumstances
Considers relationships to be more intimate than they actually are
https://www.verywellmind.com/histronic-personality-disorder-425425
And, moo, I believe Sarah probably had her own disfunctional personality going on, maybe from cluster C (OCD or avoidant perhaps), but...
I'm not convinced there wasn't partner abuse in this relationship either. But unless someone who lived in that house is miraculously found alive, I wonder if we'll ever know for sure. I suppose there is plenty of time for more information to come out.
(OT I cannot thank the person who posted the Lundy Bancroft book enough. I can't locate your post right now, or remember the name, but thank you.)
Not being a mental health professional but still wanting to play armchair psychologist, I am interested in this discussion. Are histrionic people dangerous or violent? Vengeful?
Those brutal aspects of her tend to suggest something else.
But in my business I've read a lot of psych eval reports. And it's rare that someone is diagnosed with just one personality disorder. Or should I say, more typically the reports state they show "markers" or characteristics of more than one personality disorder at a time.
This is where I have a sliver of hope. Teenagers, desperate ones, can be very savvy. These kids were well traveled. Maybe they spent time on trips reading maps. Visually knew the local routes of where they lived?
Woodland to Portland is approx 30 miles, Vancouver even less. That's about a half an hour away. There is a desperation in Devonte's runs to the neighbors. Was Jen out that day, erranding, or whatever? Did he know that was his chance to make a run for it with Hannah? And was desperate for CPS to come for the others? Did he leave a note? We are going to the Goonies?
Did he have a plan? Take some cash from the cookie jar? Did he have some festival contacts hidden away? Could they have figured out the walk into Woodland town, catch a bus? Maybe even hitchhike? Maybe slept in the woods the first night?
No authority knew they were missing.
https://www.google.com/maps/@45.7434131,-122.7298805,10z?gl=us
Jenn taught these children how to navigate crowds at a very young age. Maybe taught Devonte much about navigating people, too. Every account of those who met these children speaks to how well behaved, bright, wise, loving, & talented they were. Tons of accolades.
That's far from the disabled descriptions that Jenn spoke about.
I am sure these kids spoke about their memories of life before being adopted, especially the older ones. But whatever was going on now, for sure Devonte and Hannah were on to it, and knew it was wrong.
So, I hold out hope for that sliver of rebellion that just might turn up these two, someday, having survived.
If the kids presented as older I feel this could be a greater possibility. Hannah looks 7. Those kids would stand out. And they're gorgeous on top of it.
Unless they're being harbored for some unknown reason, I think the odds are low.
And given the publicity of the case, and the death of the parents, why would someone be taking the risk of harboring these kids?
Sigh.
I hope and pray for a miracle. It would be amazing.