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June 11th, 2012
05:45 PM ET
What is histrionic personality disorder?The trial of Jerry Sandusky has begun. Prosecutors accuse the former Penn State assistant football coach of abusing at least 10 boys, allegations that have become widely known. What may be less familiar is a mental illness his lawyers are connecting with him: Histrionic personality disorder. The defense attorneys say they intend to offer expert testimony from a psychologist who "will explain that the words, tones, requests and statements made in the letters are consistent with a person who suffers from a Histrionic Personality Disorder," according to documents. Histrionic personality disorder is part of a class of conditions called dramatic personality disorders, which are marked by unstable emotions and distorted self-images, according to the Cleveland Clinic. For these people, self-esteem doesn't come from true feelings of self worth, but rather from the approval from other people, and those suffering from this disorder will often engage in dramatic or inappropriate behaviors to call attention to themselves. “People develop this disorder because they have a need to be appreciated and to feel valued and worthwhile and special,” said Nadine Kaslow, psychologist at Emory University School of Medicine, who has not treated Sandusky. About 2% to 3% of the general population is thought to have histrionic personality disorder, she said. "We all have traits that resemble this, but it becomes a problem when all of the symptoms are combined in a way that makes functioning difficult." Inflicting sexual abuse is not a commonly recognized trait of this condition, but sexually-provocative behavior is, she adds. People with this personality disorder may also change emotions rapidly, overly dwell on physical appearance, and take criticism or disapproval sensitively. They are easily influenced by others and make rash decisions, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Rarely showing concern for others, they often find it challenging to maintain relationships. People with histrionic personality disorder may even threaten or attempt suicide for the sake of getting attention. No one knows what causes this disorder, but experts say it's probably a combination of nature and nurture. The personality disorder can run in families, suggesting a genetic connection, but children may also be influenced by their parents in ways that would lead kids to crave attention or be confused about how to get parents' approval. The standard treatment for this disorder is a type of counseling called psychotherapy, in which a mental health professional helps the person delve into what's causing their thoughts and behaviors, and figure out how to create more positive relationships. Depression and anxiety may be issues for some patients, and may be treated with medications. But generally this personality disorder has not received a lot of attention in terms of evidence-based treatments, Kaslow said. It's important to seek help if you believe you have symptoms of histrionic personality disorder, especially if it's causing trouble in your romantic or professional life. soundoff (856 Responses)« Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Next »Leave a Reply to FnrdEncox
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Isn't it interesting that all the so-called "disorders" all result in this kind of behavior?? People never seem to have something like this and then go out and do good things. I don't buy it for one second that he has any kind of disorder, mental or otherwise. I think he's just a pervert and needs to be in prison. But no, this defense attorney will try to get 'not guilty by reason of 'mental disorder'. Give me a break. Give me 15 minutes with him. I'll cure whatever disorder he has. And he won't molest any more kids either.
Agreed. What a slime ball. He needs to take some showers with grown men in prison. THEN, we'll see how he likes showers...
Sounds like you have some kind of disorder.
What an ignorant comment to make! Of the hundreds to thousands of health disorders people get, please name the ones that are associated with pedophilia.
@donna, 99.9% of diagnosed mental disorders are out right fraud, made so doctors, whom are business men, can sell drugs. Medicine is the weakest form of science, and psychology is the weak est form of medicine. It is mostly bunk.
I'm with you. At least the defense team recognizes that the evidence is incontrovertible and that their client is a fiend. I guess if he has a "disorder", Penn State's financial liability may be lessened because they can't reasonably be expected to screen for "histrionic personality disorder". Nice try, fellas. Though disgusting and reprehensible, it just might work.
I agree. NOW he has a disorder. After he's been caught. I think he's just a pervert. Plain and simple. And I still wonder, did anyone ever hear from his sons? I think it is interesting that he adopted numerous children,but mostly boys. I just always thought that was odd but I don't remember hearing anything from/about his kids. Did he molest his own, or just other people's kids?
It doesn't matter what they call it–they can call it a coolwhip disorder–he still knew right from wrong. If he did these crimes, any disorder will only mitigate his sentence–and if he did ALL these crimes, he will die in prison because he is so old and these crimes are so henious.
His disorder is pedophilia.
Normally I'd interpret such a stretch on behalf of the defense as a good sign, but in a post Casey Anthony world I'm not so sure.
Remember what Hitler said about the "big lie?"
If he had the disorder and did only good things he wouldn't have been charged with a crime and the article you are reading wouldn't be here....
I agree – Give me a friggin break
I am in no way condoning any of this alleged behavior, and am in no way saying this isn't a last ditch effort to not go to prison, but just like the jurors, you all have no idea what this disorder entails. You have no clue, so why sit here and make ridiculous comments about medicine is a crock, and psychology has no backing. Those statements are completely untrue. Do research before you make retarded statements. Am I saying Sandusky has this disorder....no...but he might. You just don't know. You don't know him, you haven't diagnosed him (not that any of you could anyway), but you are sure quick to jump to conclusions.
Sandusky's defense team should have done a bit more research. This disease does not apply to Sandusky. As stated, people with this condition "Rarely showing concern for others, they often find it challenging to maintain relationships." If this were truly his condition, he wouldn't have founded Second Mile in order to help under-privileged kids. His reason for being bailed out of jail and put into house arrest was because he desperately missed his family especially his grandkids. He has been married to his wife since 1966.
Mary, I hope the prosecution reads your comments. Even though this type of defense strategy seems flimsy at best, your points strongly oppose the suggested diagnosis. I have a feeling the prosecution will get experts that testify exactly to your comments!
2-3% of the population has this type of disorder? And.. what just over 2% of the US population is in jail? So how is this a defense? Yes, I would think every criminal has some kind of personality disorder (in general couldn't you argue every crime is in some ways a cry for attention?)... and since when can a 'mental disorder' be a valid defense? I thought only 'insanity' was a valid defense.. Is there any legal precedent for 'histrionic personality disorder' getting pedophiles off? (no pun intended) Sounds like a pathetic defense, though I also have to admit, I can't think of any better defense claim - he's all but said he agrees with all the claims. It's practically a confession.
Well great, you've solved this case, good thing we have experts like you in the comments. So how long have you been studying psychology? And how long did you study Sandusky?
Sorry, you just can't say if someone has a disorder or not based off of a couple of things that you read about it and their behavior. Especially since you're probably not actually a psychiatrist.
@ former, it does not mean he should not punish him g to the fullest extent of the law. Most criminals can be diagnosed with something or other, doesn't change that he ruined lives and should have the remainder of his life ruined
There's a fine line between histrionic personality disorder and being an egotistical horse's posterior. Sandusky is the latter. If this slime think he's going to skate on that, he's mistaken.
I think EHP is a better diagnosis. I like it.
Of course he's mentally ill, would a sane person do these terrible things to children? No excuse if he was sane enough to be an assistant coach to a football team with such a winning history he's sane enough to be responsible for these crimes and be punished under the law if found guilty. Insanity, what an insult to these kids who suffered so much. Will his defense lawyers take into consideration the mental health of his victims?
Gambi –
Mental Illness does not equal pedophilia. Get a clue.
Unfortunatley, because of who he is, most likley he'll get off, which a horrible thing to think about. the mentally ill defense is alot of bull. he's a child molester, plain and simple and should be punished. the fact that he may have helped some kids doesn't change the fact that he raped others.
they should bury him up to his neck, pour honey on him and cover him with fire ants.
i will agree he has a mental disorder...maybe narcisstic...he is evil to his bone marrow...nothing excuses what he has done to these children...
manipulative narcissistic definitely, sociopath possibly – histrionics? i doubt it. but whatever the diagnosis the fact is this man has been functioning quite well in life in terms of career success, and some relationships, has no trouble getting through his day to day life – personality disorder diagnoses such as this are typically saved for people whose personalities are keeping them from having a proper/happy life. Psychotherapy can help them to do that.
What he is, is a predator, he's a pedophile.
pedophiles use sex with kids as a means of control, a power play, they look for positions that make it easy to seek that prey (coach, teacher, minister, priest, etc.) it makes them feel good about themselves.
no amount of psychotherapy makes people like him better.
No one denies that he's mentally ill. Personally, I don't care if they throw him in jail or an asylum. As long as he can't get near another kid in his life.
He has a diagnosis all right. Pedophilia.
"The standard treatment for this disorder is a type of counseling called psychotherapy, in which a mental health professional helps the person delve into what's causing their thoughts and behaviors, and figure out how to create more positive relationships."
No kidding. Holy smokes. You know what, I can count of every article on this site to be basically uninformative, poorly-written crap. Yahoo news, with their content farms, is better. "...a type of counseling known as psychotherapy..." Wow. Never heard of that. What audience are you writing this for? People who live under rocks? I don't normally do this, but I just cannot believe how absurdly terrible this is.
I wish I could even express incredulity to the idea that our nation is so uninformed because of the disservice our news reporting does for us, but I can't. I just want you to be ashamed. I mean, this article doesn't even tell me what histrionic personality disorder is. You'd do a better job just linking the wikipedia page rather than conveying the drivel you have with these poor, 800 words. I'm going to keep going with this.
Here are the symptoms from the first link that google turns up in a search for "histrionic personality disorder:"
Acting or looking overly seductive
Being easily influenced by other people
Being overly concerned with their looks
Being overly dramatic and emotional
Being overly sensitive to criticism or disapproval
Believing that relationships are more intimate than they actually are
Blaming failure or disappointment on others
Constantly seeking reassurance or approval
Having a low tolerance for frustration or delayed gratification
Needing to be the center of attention (self-centeredness)
Quickly changing emotions, which may seem shallow to others
I just learned more than I did from your whole stupid article.
thank you, justin...good job!
That's funny, they mention almost everything you said on your list in the article. Did you try reading it? And there's many different forms of therapy. Psychotherapy is actually some of the least used nowadays, most of the time it's drugs or behavioral therapy.
Oh, and for the record, they linked to the Cleveland Clinic. A slightly better source than your wikipedia idea.
And finally, news media has to constantly balance between being interesting and informative. They also know they have about 30 seconds before the average American idiot moves onto another article or site. They don't have time, or the mandate, to fully inform the public about everything ever. If you're more interested in the material, you're free to do your own research, or follow the links provided in the article that are there for that exact purpose.
Put up or shut up. If you think you can do a better job, go and do it, otherwise, stop whining.
So this is what Snooki has? I knew there was something wrong with that gal...
Yo, former Marine, who asked you? What are you, the defender of CNN? Get a life.
Hmm, is Sandusky's "disorder' the same one that many Catholic priests seem to have?? Give me a break. He's a pedophile, plain and simple. And there's nothing redeemable about it or him either...
I hope they don't send him to a white collar, country club prison. He should be in the general population and get what he deserves.
Don't most of us seek attention by doing things to make us appreciated and valued? I like to help little old ladies cross the street and give directions to lost tourists. If Sandusky was seeking attention by his actions, he chose to do so by being the lowest form of human there is. Personality disorder? Do yeah think?
I agree with Paige, he has a disorder and it is a mental illness...Pedophilia!
Though I doubt the guy in Texas who caught someone abusing his 4 year old daughter, at a family party would agree with my assessment. Though he beat the man to death right there, Jerry got off easy so far.
Most of these victims did not have fathers to protect them.
Didn't he used to have a mullet?
Didn't everyone?
None of this is going to help his case. Claiming your actions were caused by a mental disorder only works in court if you were delusional. And that means you made no effort to deny or cover up your crime because you weren't aware you were committing a crime. Any effort to deny or hide your actions, or mislead authorities investigating you just proves you were aware that what you did was wrong, and you go to jail. For a long long time I hope.
So what if he does have a personality disorder? It's not like that means he is psychotic, or not able to tell reality from delusions. I am a mental health professional. People with personality disorders are indeed emotionally disturbed, but they are not "crazy" in the way it's commonly understood. And I can't see where it's any kind of defense for the sexual abuse of children. His lawyers are really grasping at straws here.
Oh Brother!!! The lawyers should be in jail with Sandusky.
Gays often contend it is in the jeans, and it is a form of mental illness just like stealing or anything else, one day this to will be socially acceptable, little weed does on good...have a drink, it's coming...
So we gays have it in our "jeans" huh? Socrates.....John Locke.....Isaac Newton.....Bill Davis.
Did Sandusky's defense team pay CNN to post this article?
Seems to really go out of its way to try and make his actions sound reasonable.
Doesnt work though. This guy needs to get the chair.
Yes, being a pedophile is a mental disorder, warranting incarceration in this case. As a psychologist, I would most certainly push for a very long jail time for each count so that this perp may not walk the streets again to only harm other children at his whim. Jail time to keep this guy off the streets is the only cure for this type of "illness".
I wonder if Obama will use this defense in order to explain his failure as the potus! Heh,heh,heh!
Oh gawd. Shoot yourself please.
Well, its got a lot of syllables, so it just might work.
First his sleaze-bag lawyer (S.L.) says the victims are colluding against Sandusky for financial gain. He doesn't come out and say that literally, but he wants us to believe that. Now he offers an explanation or reason that Sandusky may have acted inappropriately because of his mental illness. I don't know if there is corroborating evidence against Sandusky from his victims (if two or more people corroborate certain facts of a crime separate from each other – its incredibly powerful in convincing members of a jury, but the fact that he wrote "Love" letters to one (or more) of his victims is pretty damning itself. The fact that he has a mental illness may explain why he molested these kids, but he still committed a crime, whether he was consciously doing it or not. I'm not a lawyer, but I remember from my college days that there are four basic elements to a crime: actus reus (guilty act), mens rea (guilty mind), concurrence, and harmful result. Sandusky having a mental illness probably negates mens rea. Ok so he's not an "evil" man but a sick man who did horrible things. I absolutely don't excuse what he did, even if he is mentally ill. But we are probably going to see him end up in a psych hospital until he dies. Not guilty by reason of mental illness or defect (or whatever they call it where he's on trial). The public probably won't be happy with that, but I can't reasonably see them punishing him more unless they can prove he was being evil on purpose (eg. laughing evilly while wringing his hands together)
One of his victims has stated that he cried and screamed for help in the Sandusky's basement while the man was raping him and he believed the family may have heard. Tell me how this disorder would allow a screaming child to be ignored and who was Sandusky trying to please by raping the child at that time? The child?
This is bogus and for the record–psychopaths and sociopaths also do not have a gulity conscience–Ted Bundy was one and so was Dahmer–and both were sentenced to death for their acts–the only mental illness here is the one in the heads of the Defense team as they hope to influence the jury.
This defense is all over the map. First defendants were jumping on the bandwagon. Now, its a mental disorder. If there was a true interest in Justice, they should recommend a plea bargain where he can get help for his histrionics, I mean histrionic personality disorder, then do 20 years.
No, that wouldn't be justice. Justice isn't assuming your client is guilty and recommending a plea bargain. Justice is making sure that your client, and everyone charged, gets the best possible defense so we're not sending innocent people to jail. If the guy truly had some weird disorder, and never actually banged any kids, then that's important for the jury to hear.
Former Marine:"Justice is not doing or saying anything to get a client off either. if our courts really applied justice then when lawyers knew their client was guilty–they would work to get them the best terms for their sentence but they would not try to get them off scott free because that would not serve justice, it would merely justify crime.
Actually, I would think that claiming mental illness would be counter-productive since if he's 'sick' with an illness that causes him to do stuff like this, wouldn't they lock him away as a danger to himself and society? I doubt seriously they'd let him just walk out scot-free. 'Oh he's sick in the head, we'll just let him walk away.'
Electric Chair would fix any disorders Sandusky is claimed to have
"For these people, self-esteem doesn't come from true feelings of self worth, but rather from the approval from other people..."
You mean like most of the children taught/victimized by the "self-esteem" movement? Are we raising a whole generation of mentally ill people? Giving everyone a trophy so they all feel equal approval from other people is a bad thing ... who knew?
The psychologist's comments make no sense. Think about it: how can a person want approval by raping other people? Who are they seeking approval from? The psychologist is naming a disorder which usually manifests itself in the form or teens or others acting out provocatively and sexually and allowing themselves to be abused for approval by others.
Sandusky did not do that–he is the predator and the aggressor, like many pedophiles, he imagines his sexual acts to be mutual, consensual and desired by his victims AND he ignores the fact that he has to bribe, threaten and force his victims to endure the pain of his attacks–he is a sociopath and a pedophile and while they are illnesses, the best treatment and only known truly successful treatment with no recidivism is life in prison or death.
A lawyer will argue that the world is flat if he has a financial incentive to do so. Usually judges are smart enough to see through these "disorder" defenses. Crime, by definition is an aberration. If you have enough money or status you can make your antisocial behavior look like a "disorder." Does the name Kennedy come to mind?
So basically it's a personality type like Bette Davis in "All About Eve." Or Norma Desmond in "Sunset Blvd."
Don't care what they call it so long as he gets to experience the other end of the stick (so to speak) during a LONG prison term.
No matter what mental illness Sandusky suffers from he still will benefit from and the public will benefit from removing him from a free society. He needs to be locked up, chemically castrated and forbidden to be anywhere near any person under the age of consent FOR LIFE and how much time should he get for raping boys and ruining their lives? Well, 10 years EACH to run consecutively should do the trick.
"People develop this disorder because they have a need to be appreciated and to feel valued and worthwhile and special,” said Nadine Kaslow, psychologist at Emory University School of Medicine, who has not treated Sandusky." This QUACK should just shut up.
I don't think repeatedly raping a crying child in a basement even after he screamed for help in ANY WAY appears to suggest Sandusky was seeking some sort of approval–not from anyone else and most certainly NOT from the child he was raping. when Professionals take payment to say stuff like this, they should be held liable and be prosecuted too.
"The standard treatment for this disorder is a type of counseling called psychotherapy, in which a mental health professional helps the person delve into what's causing their thoughts and behaviors, and figure out how to create more positive relationships." What a simplistic and condescending statement. Is the writer addressing a group of sixth graders?
That may be the "standard treatment " for that disorder but is not the standard treatment for what ails Sandusky. Sandusky is a hostile and violent pedophile. The best treatement would be death–second best–castration and removal of his hands and tongue so he would not have the "tools" to harm another child–third best–Prison for life.
Best of all the best–go to prison for life, where they cut off his hands, tongue and weenie until he bleeds to death.
Psychotherapy is a voodoo science that is not based on any scientific method or analysis. It is based on hearsay and heresy and based on anecdotal opinions. It is offers explanations that have no scientific proofs. It almost pretends to be a medical field.
So what you're saying is that B.F. Skinner, John B. Watson, Carl Rogers, and Maslow, among many others have no scientific method or analysis. You're right..........That might have been the dumbest statement on this entire thread. Come on at least know what the hell you are talking about before you type something completely idiotic. Oh well from someone who watches a news station that employs Nancy Grace why should I expect anything less?
It is a phrase invented by pseudoscientists that could find nothing medically wrong with people they found socially undesirable, so they invent the names of fake diseases and claim the undesirable people are "sick" so they forcibly medicate and/or remove them.
Prosecutor: Mr GWB, did you invade Iraq?
Defendant: Not guilty by reason of insanity.
St Mahmoud (St Peter's Muslim cousin): Mr bin Laden did you direct the killing of thousands, including muslims and children?
Defendant: Not guilty by reason of insanity.
Arch-angel Michael: Dingo did you eat the baby?
Defendant: Not guilty by reason of insanity.
Prosecutor: Mr Sand dusty, did you molest all those children?
Defendant: Not guilty by reason of insanity.
Not buying it. Sandusky is a classic pedophile, grooming his victims over time and covering his tracks. He knew what he was doing.
Prayers go out to those brave victims, who have been reabused by by Sandusky and his spin doctor lawyer-team. In spite of the threats to publish their names (which would affect their work, home, friends, family) and accusations of their greed, these brave men are standing up and saying "No more." Applause to them who have conducted themselves more honorably than Sandusky and the Penn State gang.
@ Fifi
You are spot on!
Uh..historonic disorder.... sounds like 75% of men in NAmerica....does that make us all pedophiles? Give me a break or a devious lawyer.
Of course Sandusky is crazy, sane folks do not go around molesting kids , nor do they have sexual urges for members of the same sex. However, this does not belay the fact that anyone convicted of these outrageous acts should not be punished to the fullest extent that the law allows. The problem is the laws are too lenient. They should be changed so if a grown man or woman abuses a child they should be executed post haste.
Sandusky is a sicko. I think Joe Paterno was too, but they have to dig further.
Coach and assistant coach for one of the biggest football factories in the country for several years and probably suck buddies to boot. Not rocket science to figure out why it was covered up for so long. Part of the blame has to lie on the victims shoulders for letting the perks they received outweigh their moral judgment.
I heard that the only known cure for Sandusky's "disorder" is a baseball bat treatment.
Once you have a baseball bat treatment, if done properly, you'll never have a relapse.
Let him (and anyone else) serve their time for the crimes they committed and THEN get them the help they need. I am soooo over this my mental condition made me not culpable BS.
We all face choices in our lives to take the path towards good or evil. He chose evil despite his then clear understanding that it was so wrong and so dangerous a place to go. The fact that he chose to proceed and continue towards what was to become an addiction should not excuse him as simply mentally ill. He chose evil and must be held accountable, period.
BS. Cut off his ba lls and throw him into prison for life.
those kids were not abused. They were Sanduskied. Big difference.
Look... He is just an old pervert who FINALLY got caught. I he loved and still loves playing with little boys. If he hadn't been caught then he would still be fixating on someway to get to see little boys naked and hopefully playing with them. He will neve change and I imagine that he still remininces and gets off to his favorite trophies that he has had in the past.
Yeah, right!
Have you ever heard of a child molester/rapist admitting he did it? Was remorseful? Poor Mrs. Sandusky. She will have to double up on meds in order to stay in denial.
Is he suffering from "Psychological problems" or "Brain dysfunction", or "Mental illness" etc. – how the lawyers will twist the tale of these terminology?