 |
|
|
|
|
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 Guest
Next entry »Gymnast reveals 'dark side' to Olympic journey
« Previous entryStudy questions efficacy and safety of knee injections
|
  About this blog
Get a behind-the-scenes look at the latest stories from CNN Chief Medical Correspondent, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Senior Medical Correspondent Elizabeth Cohen and the CNN Medical Unit producers. They'll share news and views on health and medical trends - info that will help you take better care of yourself and the people you love.
 |
|
|
|
Somebody posted that the disorder was invented by "liberals". When was it decided that everything bad is attributable to liberal thinking and everything good is related to conservative thinking. Have people lost their minds? Why must every discussion become a politicized.
Because the conservatives see everything through a political lens.
Never mind that more than one personality disorder can be seen on brain scans (showing abnormal brain activity) and that can't be faked.
I hope all intolerant conservatives find themselves with someone they love who as a personality disorder. It's nothing to laugh about as I have someone close to me with one and it's the most difficult thing I've ever faced.
LET'S GET THIS CLEARED UP RIGHT NOW:
HISTRIONIC PERSONALITY DISORDER leads one to be a pain in the neck at dinner parties or in restaurants. Sometimes on a bus or subway – or, in the best case scenario – IT MAKES ONE BECOME AN ACTOR – but to say that it is responsible for Sandusky's predatorial action is RIDICULOUS. Especially since his actions were done OUT of the public eys on purpose. No. This is a serial predator, child abuser, sex offender, criminal – not someone who seeks attention. He sought NO attention in these situation. He sought what he got: POWER OVER INNOCENT CHILDREN. off to jail, big fella, where you'll get plenty of attention.
To sayitstr8r : Yes! Exactly!
Actually, If you want the history of the condition, it was primarily used in the 1800's to describe women only, when they were being, as men saw it, womanly. They figured that the way women seemed to get overemotional and go to pieces over nothing must mean something is wrong and noted that some women had more of a tendency toward "histrionics" than others. In later decades it was seen as an embarrassing reminder that psychology is often a very unscientific science and people were rarely diagnosed with it.
Because that is how fascism works. Everything from religion to sex to education to occupations is sent through their fascist prism to be viewed.
A way to not be found guilty.
Oh come off it! The kinds of "psychological disorders" are nothing more diversions from the truth. According to the Psychologists who came up with this theory everyone would have a "diagnosis" , leaving no one to be held responsible for their own behavior. Shame on them! The attorney's buy them and tell them what good ole Jerry needs & WAH-LAH, an amazing, perfect mental disorder! Problem is, everyone has it!! Who doesn't want approval from others? That's what celebrities, beauty queens & politicians all want really badly!! We all do! How do attorneys live with themselves? What he has is p-e-d-o-p-h-e-l-i-a, definitely a warped mind, that's what makes him dangerous! He's a self-centered SOB who "loves" boys because boys turn him on! If a psychiatrist spoke to his sons individually I'm sure they would eventually remember some of their own situations with their daddy, right now it's just too disgusting to ponder such truths.
Jerry Sandusky has the same mantra as the men in NAMBLA or MANBLA or whatever those sicko perverts call themselves. They think they 'love' boys just so much and that the boys love them back. YUCK!! Selfish, disgusting predators, nothing else! I'd call them pigs but that would be insulting to swine everywhere!
Amen.
Well said, very well said!!
Completely wrong. More than one personality disorder shows you on brain scans with abnormal electrical activity and that can't be faked. Get a clue, you ill-informed neanderthal.
It's people like you that would lock up half the planet because they don't conform to your 6th grade level of intellect.
While the attorney's appear to be using a personality disorder as an excuse/defense, most mental health professionals would not support such a stance. Personally I am outraged that the attorneys are using this ploy. However, that should not cast the entire mental health profession in a bad light. Mental illness may help explain or understand some behaviors, it does not reduce people's responsibility for their behavior. He may have a personality disorder, but it no more excuses his behavior than being diabetic, or having dandruff. In over 30 years in the mental health field I have seen exactly two cases where an individuals mental illness caused behavior that would be considered criminal and where that individual's responsibility for the criminal behavior could realistically be reduced. This appears to me to be a desparate attempt on the part of a defense team that sees no traditional defense being effective.
pts... You are totally awesome! Couldn't have said it better myself!!!!!!
It's "voila", genius.
HPD is a diagnosis not a defense. Go to jail, get treatment in jail but never be allowed to walk the streets again to hurt other children.
He no more has "histrionic personality disorder' than I have a million bucks. Jerry's problem is he suffers from being a warped, selfish, narcissistic, low-life who thinks it's OK to rape teenage boys at his whim...He should be publicly hung in my mind.
What is more offensive is the damage he has caused to untold numbers of young men and the people who thought this little episode will go away. And for PENN STATE, what a mess they have now...
Right on! Hang him!
Big Box, I totally agree. His defense is grasping at straws because they know they have NO defense. The jury was crying when the abused boys were testifying on the stand. This means they believe them. Sandusky is going down and you know what happens to child molesters in prison!? Jerry, I hope you ready for hell...it's about to get A LOT worse, you piece of #$%t!
Historically, histrionic personality disorder has often led to a really bad case of lead poisoning.
Yes – the reason he was molesting, raping, and sexually abusing kids was because of low esteem. Well, he can work on that in prison while Bubba and his big buddies are molesting, raping, and sexually abusing him!!!
My thoughts exactly! A Pedophile is a Pedophile! There IS NO EXCUSE!
histrionic disorder = hollywood
I'm glad I read about histrionic personality disorder. Now I can tell my kids what is wrong with me, them & everyone else who ever gets upset about anything! This is ridiculous! The man is a monster. I hope he rots along with all of the other gutless sickos who didn't have the guts to turn him in! Did the entire Penn State athletic & security staffs also suffer from whatever? They all need to be thrown in jail.
It's so funny how they try to put a label on this kind of crap. This man preyed on innocent young children and they want to label this pervert with a personality disorder. Go figure!
Of course he has a disorder. He likes buggering little kids. Let's all agree to that, and then agree that it doesn't excuse him for his crimes.
Hang him by his balls
Psychiatry is a complete fraud. They just make up things to describe behavior, and then they put people on very dangerous medications. They work with the police to discredit people via false diagnoses, too.
I often see idiotic posts, but yours is the most stupid, idiotic post I've ever seen. Do everybody a favor and shut up.
What Bob said.
None of which should stand in the way of his well-deserved castration.
Jim in PA...from your lips to (insert your own deity or legal authority here) ears...
If they are blaming HPD for Sandirtsky's actions, why not blame HPD for my hemorrhoids?
He may or may not have a personality disorder. The lawyers may try to draw a connection between that disorder and the allegations of sexually deviant and criminal behavior. However, this article, and most mental health professionals, would be adamant in stating that personality disorders (or other mental health disorders) do not cause this type of sexual acting out. As I mental health professional I hate attempts to use mental illness as an excuse for criminal behavior. He may be mentally ill, I cannot say as I've not conducted a clinical interview. However, even if he is, he is still 100% responsible for his behavior.
I agree, furthermore if the defense wants to use multiple personalities as a possible excuse, i would hope that the jury finds him guilty of multiple personalities and then be sentence to a different prison for a minimum of 15 years for each of the personalities found in his creepy brain.
If what Sandusky is alleged to have done is proven and it certainly looks highly likely now that it will be so done, then I can think of nothing finer for his personality disorder than to have a razor blade and ice pick studded baseball bat shoved up his rectum until he dies. Other than that, I wish him nothing but the best.
Since this "disorder" does not affect his ability to distinguish right from wrong it would seem the relevance is rather attenuated at best. It's not like Sandusky is pleading insanity. He isn't even saying he has diminished mental capacity. He's saying he did not do it – period. If he has a histrionic personality disorder, so be it. What does that have to do with, "I did not have sex with those boys" defense? Is he saying they only THOUGHT he was having sex with them, but he was really just seeking approval? That would have to be the worst possible defense ever! LOL.
Q: What is histrionic personality disorder?
A = h0m0s3xuality
What a dopey post. Seriously, you see no diff between being gay and being a pedophile? You're nuts.
Hahahahahahaha!
this guy has had to have killed children too i just cant see how he hasnt
We cannot protect this evil possesed man from the natural consequences of rape which is prison for decades.
This is the most ridiculious thing I have ever heard! I know many people that have a lack of self-esteem that don't act like this.
Of course he has a personality disorder. Normal people do not rape or molest children. He is still guilty. Next he'll say he ate too many Twinkies (remember the Twinkie defense used by Dan White, who killed Harvey Milk? He was all sugared up so he didn't know what he was doing.)
Well obviously he did everything he's being accused of doing, since his attorneys are trying to make excuses for it.
So we should let him off the hook for this so-called concocted disorder??? So, he's the victim in all this??? His mommy didn't feed him the right amount of breast milk??? So, should we retry all the convicted pedophiles and see if this is the same thing they had??? Maybe it's not so much their fault???????
We should just put a ban on administering punishment, shouldn't we?
I happen to be wrintig to let you know of the magnificent experience my cousin's princess experienced browsing your web page. She mastered plenty of pieces, which included what it is like to possess an awesome teaching character to make men and women without difficulty know precisely a variety of complicated topics. You really did more than readers' expected results. Thanks for presenting such effective, safe, revealing and cool tips on that topic to Gloria.
Can you say, "Twinkie defense"?
This is absurd for several reasons a.) What is the purpose of this sort of 'writing'? It certainly cannot be called 'journalism' and even if it were an 'opinion piece', it would be both unethical and completely ridiculous on its face. The defense (a lawyer who knows nothing about proper diagnosis) says that Sandusky has Histrionic Personality Disorder and they find (which is also not confirmed) a psychologist to confirm this diagnosis. Do you know the other diagnosis he may have been given? Are you aware of the complete psychological evaluation? The history of the psychologist?
Your Inference and allusion is, again, irresponsible at best. Lazy writing as you have done in this article only serves to inflame, to anger, and to tarnish (via some weird association) a profession that does incredible good for people often with little recognition for the efforts undertaken to be good at it.
If you had done your research, you might also add that the particular disorder you mention is no longer going to be a part of the new Diagnostic and Statistical Manual. If you had done your research, you would find there is no correlation between Histrionic Personality Disorder and the crimes Sandusky is accused of committing. If you are aware of EVEN one peer-reviewed published study that finds a + correlation I would like it posted here. I am an expert in the field and you clearly are not.
In fact, you trivialize the horrific crimes via even articulating "Inflicting sexual abuse is not a commonly recognized trait of this condition, but sexually-provocative behavior is". A tacit inference that is appalling.
Lastly, I do not care if Sandusky said he was possessed by space aliens, in our judicial system he is allowed, by law, to launch a vigorous defense. That does not mean, for one moment, that anything the defense might say is factually accurate nor the psychological characteristics they put-forth regarding their client is valid.
Given such writing, perhaps the author who penned this trash (to be kind), could perhaps hold up a mirror and provide her own self-assessment....
Thank you for the excellent post. I hope it is read.
He has a "condition'. It is clearly time for all good liberals and progressives to come to this poor man's defense. Watch.
No. We'll leave it to the CONservatives to tolerate criminals in their own party.
Take Rick Scott... (please!)
Assbugger syndrome, if you ask me.
So his lawyers think this is the best defense they've got, huh? Pretty lame.
The guy's problem is that he is an unrestrained pedophile. He's not alone in that and everyone who does that needs to go to jail and stay away from children for the rest of their lives. It's not very complicated.
I agree that he has a mental issue but it is the fact that he is a pedophile and a predator. Personally, I am at a loss as to what to do with him. He needs to be locked up/kept away from children and to pay for his crimes, however, I am not really thrilled with my tax payer dollars going toward his care and housing for the rest of his life.
Why is it when white folks do something crazy, it is a disorder??? Let Sandusky be an African American man, there would be no question that he is a pervert. He needs to be given life in prison. If he gets away with this our children will continue to be victims. Also his wife is disgusting to me. She has to know! If my husband was in the bathroom with one little boy, I would go the hell off and has his behind arrested.
Why is it that you are so racist? Stop the insanity already.
@ Kim C Ohio
There is no question (except in his defense attorney's mind and who knows what he really thinks) that Sandusky is a pervert (Caucasian, Black, Asian, Hispanic, or secret Area 51 Space Alien it does not matter). I hope he does not get away with this and I agree that his wife should have known (one boy if I recall said he screamed in the house).
I think he got by with this for so long because of his football connections - Sports Celebrity. If he had been an average guy he would have been behind bars long ago.
I don't care what you call it. He's on trial for molesting boys. Whats the excuse ?
Now we know what it is with Republicans, their roots are tangled, they forgot their past as they surged ahead with lots of Koch money.
I know histrionic personality disorder. It's real and it was not invented by "liberals". I've known several people who had it and none of them ever so much as lifted a hand against a child. They might stage a "fainting spell" or "heart trouble" or a "sick headache" at times when things didn't go their way, is all.
The $hrinks on this child molester's team could have come up with a much better phony diagnosis-excuse than this. This is an insult to people who really have histrionic personality disorder. They could be turned off from seeking help for it because they don't want someone to think they're like this man. There is no mental disease that could excuse HIS CHOICES. He is a CHILD MOLESTER and he ought to be in jail. Simple as that.
Don't know if any of the other respondents noted this: Histornic Personality Disorder was removed from the manual used by mental health professionals for diagnostic purposes. It was listed in DSM4, but is not in the newest DSM 5. A mental health professional told me that is was most likely due to the fact that people with this disorder tend not to come in for help.
Uh, boo hoo? So the poor guy KNOWS that it is wrong to molest and rape children, and his personality allows him to do it, and smile yet?
This is so not pertinent. Another case of spending lots and lots of (Penn State) money on lawyers and getting set free.
Histrionic personality disorder? Oh Puh-freaking-leez! Sandusky's "disorder" is that he is a sexual degerate i.e. a PERVERT! Lock him up and throw away the key I say or better still CASTRATE his sorry butt!
Castration is a good idea. It does not, however, have anything to do with the butt.
Dramatic personality disorders are associated with FALSE RAPE ACCUSERS.
"People develop this disorder because they have a need to be appreciated and to feel valued and worthwhile and special."
It amazes me that, no matter what a person does criminally, there will always be a defense attorney and a psychiatric "expert" willing to come up with some excuse. But raping almost a dozen young boys because of "a need to be appreciated" is the lowest I've seen yet. When an attorney brings up a personality disorder, the attorney has no real case.
That's because these so called experts have made a healthy living taking the stand with their professional opinions.
Histrionic personality disorder is a fancy term for: A person who is very manipulative in getting what they want. That's really all it is. I think if Sandusky has any personality disorder, it's anti-social personality (the fancy term for sociopath). Aside from the horrific sexual acts themselves, there is no way anyone with a conscious could sit in court all day watching his former victims emotional and graphic testimony. If Sandusky had any soul, he would have killed himself over the shame of what he did coming out publicly, or at least admitted the crimes to avoid the trial. But he doesn't seem to care at all.
For every "expert" psychologist willing to swear up and down that Sandusky has this disorder, there's another ready to swear up and down that he doesn't. I'm not ready to condemn the entire field of psychiatry. There are quacks, but there are also professionals truly committed to helping people. Having said that, I think it is criminal that Sandusky's defense attorneys would stoop to this sort of defense to try to help him escape culpability for his crimes. Everyone deserves a defense under our legal system, but come on! This is sheer sophistry. How they can live with themselves is beyond me. And Sandusky himself... There are no words. He will probably end up in a country club. But he deserves to go into the general population of one of our vilest prisons, where he will endure the same sort of depravity he subjected those young boys to. The man doesn't even display remorse for the reprehensible acts he has committed. He's sick, no doubt, and perhaps he does need psychiatric treatment, but he also deserves to be punished for his crimes.
I could care less what this person allegedly suffers from. Perhaps the psychologists would like to tell us about sociopaths now?
Right is right and wrong is wrong. This is not a gray area! Sandusky is being charged with raping underprivileged boys who could be easily confused and coerced by an influential local sports figure. How could so many "responsible" people just shrug it off? Easily! These were kids who didn't matter, weren't from their social class, and so the people in charge had no motivation to do their jobs. Now I say, claw back bonuses, demote them, hit their pensions, put big black marks in their public records and fire them!
He should have plenty of opportunity to get treated for this condition in prison. I've heard child molestors in general population get lpts of attention, especially when the lights go out.
Maybe he'll learn to play "prison football", where you go into the game a tight end, but come out a wide receiver...
I wanted to put you that quite small word in order to say thank you once once more along with your spreub opinions you've got provided on this internet site. It has been pretty open-handed of individuals like you to deliver extensively what several people might have marketed for an e-book to end up making some cash for their own end, specifically since you could have tried it if you desired. Those techniques as properly worked like a great way to recognize that other people have similar passion like my incredibly own to grasp much more and a lot more concerning this condition. I am confident there are thousands of additional pleasurable instances up front for people who take a look at your web page.
This condition is vernacularly known as being an "attention wh*re".
It does not explain or justify this cretin raping little boys.
I actually have HPD and know many others who have it in some form. We are great at sex. Really great. Among the best lovers on the planet. You'd be lucky to hook up with one of us, but do yourself a favor and DO NOT MARRY US or GET CLOSE TO US. We are emotional hurricanes that will destroy your life, and I mean that in the non-dramatic sense.
Oh and it has nothing to do with morality or knowing right from wrong or anything Sandusky did. HPD usually diminishes with age anyway. Thankfully, I've kept the good and eliminated most of the bad parts of this condition.
There is no good in it, only delusion.
Admittedly, I've burned bridges and the forests that connect them and left a lot of people hurting in my wake, but during the same time, I've led and inspired others to see how grand and amazing the world can be. Nowadays, I practice mindfulness and am able to better self-regulate. Before, I would have railed on you and called you names because I wouldn't know how to handle simple criticism (a classic symptom of HPD). I agree that for many, the delusion persists. I believe I am lucky to have overcome most of the bad parts of the condition.
Obama is the classic model of this disorder.
you have a small hot dog
A diagnosis of histrionic personality disorder has nothing much to do with competency at the time of the offense(s). People who suffer from this disorder almost invariable know right from wrong, real from unreal and are not described as "mentally ill". This disorder is primarily characterized by excessive emotionality and attention seeking behavior. Histrionic individuals can be charming, seductive and at times, when things don't go their way, act like a victim. I doubt that any serious, licensed mental health professional is going to testify that anyone's unlawful behavior should be excused on this basis of a diagnosis of histrionic personality disorder. This disorder can be treated through outpatient counseling, without medications. Psychological counseling is available in most state prisons.
Thanks for the thoughts you talk about trgouhh your blog. In addition, several young women who become pregnant will not even try and get medical health insurance because they fear they probably would not qualify. Although a few states at this point require that insurers offer coverage irrespective of the pre-existing conditions. Charges on these guaranteed programs are usually greater, but when with the high cost of medical care it may be a new safer route to take to protect your financial potential.