Do you know what's been getting to me nowadays? Discrimination against people with oppositonal defiant disorder (ODD) or anti-social personality disorder.

Our culture doesn't have much sympathy for people with those disorders. Those are the people who murder, steal, rape, people who end up in jail, prison or killed via the dealth penalty. The scum of this earth. Ugh.

So what do I mean by 'discrimination' in this sense? Why do I dare suggest that these people deserve anything other than hard-core justice -- the people who make their victims lives a living hell?

Well, the thing is, people who commit violent crimes, the people who have anti-social personality disorder -- DO have a valid mental illness. They DO have an imbalence of chemicals in the brain, just like people with schizophrenia or bipolar. They are ill.

So considering this, purely on an idological level, why should sociopaths be put in jail or killed, for somthing that is partly out of their control? Just like you wouldn't put someone in jail who is psychotic, why would you put someone in who has anger managment problems?

Now, I know this discourse is completely faulty. Primarily because the key difference between someone with schizophrenia and someone with anti-social is FREE WILL. The schizophrenic is not choosing to hallucinate, but the sociaopath is choosing to commit murder. He/she is choosing to make someone's life miserable. And we as a society therefore don't care whether he/she has psychological issues -- free will is free will is free will.

Another key difference, is just one in terms of practicality. We just can't have a murderer on the streets. We can't someone who robs out in the public. We can't have somene who rapes near others. We just can't have it.

But still something about the whole thing bothers me. This past year I've volunteered at the Children's Home Society's Cobb Center -- a facility for angry, oppostional boys who can't live at home. And I knew that these kids I was working with were going to turn out to be the ones who commit crimes and be destructive in the future. But by being with them, I realized that they're just people -- they're just ordinary people who were given extrordinary challenges. That's all they were. I knew that little Cody wasn't going to become a criminal because he wanted to, just becuase that was how he was weired.

So why, why in the world should these people be discriminated against?

One thing I can think of to comfort myself in this regard is that we don't put people in prison becuase we're mean. We don't put people in prison because we're trying to be bad to them. We're putting them in prison simply becase that would best suit they're needs -- it would keep them away from others, while enforcing within them that these behavoirs are not acceptable. Just like we don't put someone with schizophrenia in the hospital because we're trying to be mean, we're just doing it becuase it would best suit their needs.

Still, I think there's some kind of unjustice going on here. Mental illness is mental illness. Why should some of the mentally ill gain support whereas others be put to death? It doesn't make sense.

I agree completely. I do feel as if there is some discrimination here. But what are the other options that we have? These people are dangerous. Hospitalization would be an option, but these people do not usually progress, and if they do, it is with their cunning. So, then, without reahabilitation what would be the point of forced hospitalization? Would that not be like jail? This person would have to be isolated just the same. I feel you here. But what else could be done? Organize a sociopath playground, so they can join forces ans start real trouble. I mean lets face it alot of these people are fucking brilliant. They just have no ability to feel emotion and lack conscience
Without a conscience can you imagine what an intelligent person is capable of to gain what they desire. Or what they would do just for fun. I don't know. I'm torn.

I am going through something akin this myself right now. I love my husband, and I think he loves me, but then he gets really angry at me and says "he's going to kill me". I am really a loving, peacefull person and don't try to push his "buttons". Last week while dealing with his recent 'episode', something just popped out of my mouth that I had never heard or considered. I told my mom, "I think he's a sociopath." I literally had to google it on the internet to see what personality traits go along with that. And he hits the mark. I now feel he just manipulated me into marrying him so he could get my home (I live in a community property state). I now feel cooperation is the best bet and my money or my life would not be an exhasgeration. As long as I cooperate, he is charming and sweet. Live and learn. I can't imagine I will ever marry again. I feel like the mental abuse he has put me through has made me damaged goods. But I will go on.

Bonnie,

Did you suggest a psychiatric appointment?

Is he being treated for mental illness is my question, because maybe you could assist in him being diagnosed properly, and get medication that could be needed.

You are not damaged; and most importantly, neither is he.

I agree, per the original entry re: the ADA not being good enough, if it isn't used, what do we have it for? This is why so many Americans do not reveal their illness at work, which is a damn shame to have to live that way, for fear of being fired.

Hey there, I have read your ideas and information and I would like to hear more and read more on this subject given my ex husband is a sociopath but has custody currently of my two daughters that seem to be following alot in his footsteps with their behavior as well. I am a very concerned mother right now. He has even manipulated the legal system into believe his is the rightful candidate for full custody but...........you see my dilemma...I really need some help now as I go it alone into a court battle for custody I could use all the help and prayers I can get hon.thanks alot
Debbie