#17081 - 04/24/18 08:58 PM
Re: Psychopath Kids and School Shootings
[Re: Dianne E.]
|
member
Registered: 07/18/14
Posts: 129
|
I did get to see the video's about the parents group https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBFlaQmHGywThey also have a Facebook support group, but I would never recommend someone sharing these very personal details about your child on a public platform like FB. There really is no privacy. I've learned that even sharing these details privately with a friend is usually misunderstood and judged based on the fact that most people really do not understand what a psychopath is. I'm so glad it's being talked about on mainstream media. Any coverage of this is good. Having said that, I know some have concerns about Dr. Keil misleading parents stating that 80% of the kids grow out of it. Knowing now what a psychopath kid is and knowing the medical documentation on it, that is probably unlikely. The doctor also uses the term brain disorder rather than the textbook definition of a psychopath Anti-Social Personality Disorder (ASPD). I don't claim to be a doctor or understand the difference completely, but I think ASPD is something that just is with your brain functions and cannot be changed. A brain disorder is caused by a variation or mutation in a gene or is inherited. In that sense BD confirms Dianne and my suspicions that a psychopath (usually) is not made but born, but this definition does not conform to DSM-IV (textbook) definition for psychopath/ASPD. I do see and read that a psychopath/ASPD can't really get rid of it completely, but perhaps he is saying that most learn to manage it to the point they can appear normal in most circumstances. Also there are degrees of the condition, which will make it more or less manageable, and the likely existence of co-morbid conditions that can complicate it and make it more dangerous. My son's condition is very serious, but to someone just casually observing him for a day may not notice anything out of the ordinary. I think my son would be in jail if it wasn't for him being in institutions and our County having lax policies on juvenile crime. Will he one day have a developed enough mental capacity and chemical stability to keep out of trouble, and out of institutions? Maybe. Will he ever be completely free of having outbursts, aggression, and threats? I don't believe so. Also we are totally dependent on med management. If he is off meds or needs adjusted, he goes out of control, which has just happened again in the institution he is in. Perhaps when he is fully grown, his medications may not need adjusted, but they are adjusted based on his behaviors, which are not predictable. So much of the outcome is dependent on these factors that no one has control over, full understanding of, or ability to forcast.
Edited by DadofRad (04/25/18 06:14 AM)
|
Top
|
|
|
#17084 - 04/25/18 07:33 PM
Re: Psychopath Kids and School Shootings
[Re: Dianne E.]
|
Administrator
member
Registered: 11/15/02
Posts: 2789
Loc: United States
|
I think his work (Kiehl) is based on the criminal types which makes sense because his "studies" are with those in youth custody. I found it confusing to listen to so will welcome feedback. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtaF4MNvyUc The conversation drifts into another one so not sure what it is all about. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAEYwgDre3g this video shows his mobile brain scan in action.
|
Top
|
|
|
#17085 - 04/27/18 06:35 AM
Re: Psychopath Kids and School Shootings
[Re: Dianne E.]
|
Administrator
member
Registered: 11/15/02
Posts: 2789
Loc: United States
|
I am not sure if this is relevant but it is a new study about child psychopaths. I can't figure out how to access the file Psychopathy in childhood: Why should we care about grandiose–manipulative and daring–impulsive traits? https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/...9D209BFB40CF41B]
|
Top
|
|
|
#17086 - 04/27/18 06:51 AM
Re: Psychopath Kids and School Shootings
[Re: Dianne E.]
|
member
Registered: 07/18/14
Posts: 129
|
I watched the videos linked. I don't really find too much disturbing about Dr. Keil. As mentioned, I know his terminology of brain disorder is not accurate according to the DSM-V, and I'm not sure the rest of the medical field affirms that psychopaths can be detected in a brain scan consistently. However, what I do like is that he is dispelling the myth and pop-psychology notion that psychopaths are result of bad environments. The reality is they have bad genes and have a genetic problem. There really is nothing a parent or environment can do to change someone's personality and that is the message that our culture has a hard time accepting. Also, there really isn't anything you can treat these people with that will suddenly get their brains working correctly enough to feel empathy, emotion, or have a conscience.
Some comments on the commentary: 1) I thought it was laughable that they were analyzing Dexter and his level of psychopathy. This is a fictional character that is not a true psychopath, but Hollywood's portrayal of one. Irrelevant. 2) I'm not familiar with scale 1-40 of psychopaths. I think this is Hare's scale, is that correct? 3) I thought it was interesting that they rated presidents on the psychopath scale and figures like Clinton scored high and Carter scored low. I tend to believe that. Really successful psychopaths are great at spinning a situation to get out of trouble, manipulating others to get what they want, making heartless decisions to further an agenda. 4) I liked the fact that he brought out how their behaviors can be modified through positive re-enforcement. I saw that in another article, and I see that in my son who while in an institution, has a lot of motivational programs to progress through achievement levels to get privileges, etc. I do agree that he does best in those environments, and he really needs that highly structured easily achievable reward system. It backfires though when he slips up, doesn't receive a reward and then gets upset. Also, he has tendency to begin not to care about rewards, for the sake of rewards, it has to be something he really wants.
Edited by DadofRad (04/27/18 07:02 AM)
|
Top
|
|
|
#17091 - 04/30/18 08:08 PM
Re: Psychopath Kids and School Shootings
[Re: Dianne E.]
|
member
Registered: 07/18/14
Posts: 129
|
From what I understand President Clinton and Carter were evaluated based on this assessment. Not sure if they volunteered to take it or if others entered in data about the person. Obviously, this is subjective even if the actual person filled it out. I don't know any public figure who would admit to manipulating, lies, and being ruthless. From what I observed, psychopaths refuse to see themselves as anything other than a super star, so how do you get an honest assessment, except to question those who know the person best? From your interviews, do you agree with that statement, or were your psychopaths more self-aware?
At any rate, you are right, just throwing around names and statistics without any references to how these were measured is not very honest or scholarly.
Assessing Dexter may be an amusing assignment in a college psychology class, but I can guarantee you that the Dexter character is a dramatization to the point that it does not accurately portray a psychopath consistently. I have seen Hollywood continually try to empathize with psychopaths to the point they just don't get it - These are not damaged people, they are hopelessly and genetically deranged people. There isn't a good side to these people any more than there is a good side to a snake. They just are what they are and do what they do, and they have such a lack of moral compass, they will not choose victims who deserve to be victims. They choose victims just because they can and they are cowards, so they will usually choose easy targets.
Edited by DadofRad (04/30/18 08:14 PM)
|
Top
|
|
|
#17093 - 05/01/18 04:07 PM
Re: Psychopath Kids and School Shootings
[Re: Dianne E.]
|
member
Registered: 07/18/14
Posts: 129
|
Progress will ultimately be at the cultural level. Right now there is such a predominate mentality in our culture and even in our higher education that bad people are made and not born. Changing that cultural perspective is an uphill battle and can really only be done one story at a time. I know that article you sent from Australia was far more on track than any articles you see here. That is because they are looking at it through a different cultural lens. You are getting the word out, and opening up the conversation, that is the way to begin to get people thinking differently.
As tragedies happen and people ask why is the only way they can come to face reality. Unfortunately, media gets so caught up in the gun debate, they aren't even asking the right questions.
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|