Verité;3751638 said:
Let's let this be a measure of my "dumbness" on whether or not I am skillful enough to maneuver through "broken quotes" properly. (You might see evidence of my brain damage. If so, don't breathe a word!)
Re Ur first statement above, have these PTHs published on KC? Where?
Re Ur last sentence, the problem is we don't have enough of KC's history to make an "educated guess." There's a dearth of accurate info re her
developmental history (crucial for any case), and the family historians are woefully unreliable. Take, for example, CA's account [to FBI] of KC's
childhood & adolescence. . .she makes her sound like a Pollyanna.
Like you, I do have my own theories re diagnoses, but I still keep an open mind and breathlessly await testimony from the experts who have
actually examined KC and considered the depth and breadth of her psychometric data, etc. etc. etc.
Talking psych heads are all over TV and the Net! There was another one, today, on the Fox show right after Nancy Grace, diagnosing sociopathy for KC.
Google it and see for yourself.
Family historians are intermittently unreliable. CA herself said that KC has a long history of lying and stealing. She has stolen from CA, LA and her Grandmother, SP, at LEAST. CA has had to pillage her own 401K, a few times, to pay back KC's thefts. CA also called KC a sociopath, and warned her friend Ryan to avoid her.
Developmental hx is useful, but not crucial. The MacDonald Triad is predictive, but we don't have it. When you don't have it, you go by behavior:
DSM-IV Definition
Antisocial personality disorder is characterized by a lack of regard for the moral or legal standards in the local culture. There is a marked inability to get along with others or abide by societal rules. Individuals with this disorder are sometimes called psychopaths or sociopaths.
Diagnostic Criteria (DSM-IV)
1. Since the age of fifteen there has been a disregard for and violation of the right's of others, those right's considered normal by the local culture, as indicated by at least three of the following:
A. Repeated acts that could lead to arrest.
B. Conning for pleasure or profit, repeated lying, or the use of aliases.
C. Failure to plan ahead or being impulsive.
D. Repeated assaults on others.
E. Reckless when it comes to their or others safety.
F. Poor work behavior or failure to honor financial obligations.
G. Rationalizing the pain they inflict on others.
2. At least eighteen years in age.
3. Evidence of a Conduct Disorder, with its onset before the age of fifteen.
4. Symptoms not due to another mental disorder.
Profile of the Sociopath
This website summarizes some of the common features of descriptions of the behavior of sociopaths.
* Glibness and Superficial Charm
* Manipulative and Conning
They never recognize the rights of others and see their self-serving behaviors as permissible. They appear to be charming, yet are covertly hostile and domineering, seeing their victim as merely an instrument to be used. They may dominate and humiliate their victims.
* Grandiose Sense of Self
Feels entitled to certain things as "their right."
* Pathological Lying
Has no problem lying coolly and easily and it is almost impossible for them to be truthful on a consistent basis. Can create, and get caught up in, a complex belief about their own powers and abilities. Extremely convincing and even able to pass lie detector tests.
* Lack of Remorse, Shame or Guilt
A deep seated rage, which is split off and repressed, is at their core. Does not see others around them as people, but only as targets and opportunities. Instead of friends, they have victims and accomplices who end up as victims. The end always justifies the means and they let nothing stand in their way.
* Shallow Emotions
When they show what seems to be warmth, joy, love and compassion it is more feigned than experienced and serves an ulterior motive. Outraged by insignificant matters, yet remaining unmoved and cold by what would upset a normal person. Since they are not genuine, neither are their promises.
* Incapacity for Love
* Need for Stimulation
Living on the edge. Verbal outbursts and physical punishments are normal. Promiscuity and gambling are common.
* Callousness/Lack of Empathy
Unable to empathize with the pain of their victims, having only contempt for others' feelings of distress and readily taking advantage of them.
* Poor Behavioral Controls/Impulsive Nature
Rage and abuse, alternating with small expressions of love and approval produce an addictive cycle for abuser and abused, as well as creating hopelessness in the victim. Believe they are all-powerful, all-knowing, entitled to every wish, no sense of personal boundaries, no concern for their impact on others.
* Early Behavior Problems/Juvenile Delinquency
Usually has a history of behavioral and academic difficulties, yet "gets by" by conning others. Problems in making and keeping friends; aberrant behaviors such as cruelty to people or animals, stealing, etc.
* Irresponsibility/Unreliability
Not concerned about wrecking others' lives and dreams. Oblivious or indifferent to the devastation they cause. Does not accept blame themselves, but blames others, even for acts they obviously committed.
* Promiscuous Sexual Behavior/Infidelity
Promiscuity, child sexual abuse, rape and sexual acting out of all sorts.
* Lack of Realistic Life Plan/Parasitic Lifestyle
Tends to move around a lot or makes all encompassing promises for the future, poor work ethic but exploits others effectively.
* Criminal or Entrepreneurial Versatility
Changes their image as needed to avoid prosecution. Changes life story readily.
Here's a link to ONE of the numerous articles re: KC and sociopathy. The author is a psychologist. there are some others written by psychiatrists. NG has also had psychiatrists discuss this on her show.
http://blogcritics.org/culture/article/casey-anthony-profile-of-a-sociopath/
Having had a caseload of socios, I find KC pretty obvious. Most sociopaths do not murder, of course. But, many murderers are sociopaths. they are very difficult people to work with, because the very LEAST that they will do is constantly "bend reality." They constantly lie, and they often try to play people against eachother. Working with them is mentally exhausting.
I'll be interested in seeing how KC's psych eval came out, if it's aired in court. But, I'm not on tenterhooks, because I'm pretty sure I know what it will say. My guess is dx: sociopathic personality disorder, plus one or two other Axis II disorders. No Axis I dx.