*Note- just because a person has any of these psychological diagnoses, does not mean they are destined to be a killer.*

Psychology plays a huge role in understanding the mind of a killer. Most people will never be able to understand why one person would want to murder another person, however, understanding basic psychology can be helpful. 

Psychology

Merriam Webster defines psychology as:

1) The science of mind and behavior.

2) a) The mental or behavioral characteristics of an individual or group

   b) The study of mind and behavior in relation to a particular field of knowledge or activity.

3) A theory or system of psychology.

Bipolar disorder

A serious mental illness characterized by extreme mood swings. They can include excitement episodes or extreme depressive feelings. 

 

The Manic phase is characterized by:

* Extreme happiness, hopefulness, and excitement.

*Irritability, anger, fits of rage, and hostile behavior.

*Restlessness

*Agitation

*Rapid speech

*Poor concentration and judgment

*Increased energy

*Less need for sleep

*Usually high sex drive.

*Setting unrealistic goals

*Paranoia

The depressive phases may include:

*Sadness and crying

*Feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness, and guilt

*Loss of energy

*Loss of interest or pleasure in everyday activities.

*Trouble concentrating and making decisions.

*Irritability

*Need for more sleep or sleeplessness

*Change in appetite

*Weight loss/ gain

*Suicidal thoughts and attempts at suicide.

Source: Wikipedia

Schizophrenia 

A Mental disorder characterized by delusions, hallucinations, disorganized thoughts, and behavior.

Symptoms:

*Delusions

*Hallucinations and illusions

*Disordered thinking

*Disordered behavior

*Flat affect- lack of emotional expression

*Agitation

*Inappropriate reactions

*Phobia

*Lack of pleasure or interest in activities.

*Lack of motivation to do anything.

*Decreased speech output.

Source: Wikipedia

Schizoaffective Disorder

Schizoaffective disorder is a mental health disorder that is marked by a combination of schizophrenia symptoms, such as depression or mania.

 

The two types of schizoaffective disorder- both of which include some symptoms of schizophrenia are:

*Bipolar type, which includes episodes of mania and sometimes major depression. 

*Depressive type, which includes only major depressive episodes.

Schizoaffective disorder may run a unique course in each affected person.

Untreated schizoaffective disorder may lead to problems functioning at work, at school, and in situations, causing loneliness and trouble holding down a job or attending school. People with schizoaffective disorder may need assistance and support with daily functioning.

Source:

Mayo Clinic

 

P.T.S.D. (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder)

P.T.S.D. is a mental condition that develops following a traumatic event characterized by intrusive thoughts about the incident, recurrent distress/ anxiety, flashback and avoidance of similar situations.

Source: Wikipedia

C.P.T.S.D. (Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder).

Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is a condition that can develop after experiencing recurring or long-term trauma. It shares similarities with post-traumatic stress disorder but includes additional symptoms. Here are some key points about complex PTSD.

!) Possible symptoms:

*Difficulty controlling emotions.

*Feelings of anger or distrust towards the world. 

*Constant feelings of emptiness or hopelessness. 

*A sense of being permanently damaged or worthless.

*Feeling different from others.

*Avoidance of friendships and relationships

*Dissociative symptoms (such as depersonalization or derealization)

*Physical symptoms like headaches, stomach aches, dizziness, chest pains

*Regular suicidal feelings.

2) Causes: Complex PTSD can result from various traumatic events including:

*Childhood abuse, neglect, or abandonment.

*Ongoing domestic violence or abuse.

*Witnessing violence or abuse repeatedly.

*Being forced or manipulated into prostitution (trading sex).

*Torture, kidnapping, or slavery.

*Being a prisoner of war.

3) Emotional flashbacks: Individuals with CPTSD involves a combination of psychotherapy (talk therapy) and, in some cases, medication. Long-term support and self- care strategies are essential for recovery.

source: Wikipedia.

Dissociative Disorders.

Dissociative identity disorder is a severe form of dissociation, a mental process which produces a lack of connection in a person's thoughts, memories, feelings, actions, or sense of identity.

Signs and symptoms include:

*Memory loss (amnesia) of certain time periods, events, and people. 

*Mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts and attempts.

*A sense of being detached from yourself.

*A perception of the people and things around you as distorted and unreal.

*A blurred sense or reality

*Significant stress or problems in your relationships, work, or other important areas of your life.

Source: Wikipedia.

Depersonalization/ Derealization Disorder

This involves a sense of separation from yourself or feeling like you're outside yourself. You may feel as if you're seeing your actions, feelings, thoughts, and self from a distance, like you're watching a movie. 

Derealization involves feeling that other people and things are separate from you and seem foggy or dreamlike. Time may seem to slow down or speed up. The world may seem unreal. 

You may go through depersonalization, derealization or both. Symptoms, which can be very distressing, may last hours, days, weeks, or months. They may come and go over many years. Or they may become ongoing. 

Source: Mayo Clinic

Dissociative Amnesia

The main symptom of dissociative amnesia is memory loss that is more severe than usual forgetfulness. The memory loss cannot be explained by a medical condition. You cannot recall information about yourself or events and people in your life, especially from a time when you felt shock, distress, or pain. A bout of dissociative amnesia usually occurs suddenly. It may last minutes, hours, or rarely, months or years. 

Dissociative amnesia can be specific to events in a certain time, such as intense combat. More rarely, it can involve complete loss of memory about yourself. It sometimes may involve travel or confused wandering away from your life. This confused wandering is called dissociate fugue. 

Source: Mayo Clinic

Dissociative Identity Disorder

Formally known as Multiple Personality Disorder, this disorder involves "switching" to other identities. You may feel as if you have two or more people talking or living inside your head. You may feel like you are possessed by other identities. 

Each identity may have a unique name, personal history, and features. These identities sometimes include differences in voice, gender, mannerisms, and even such physical qualities as the need for eyeglasses. There are also differences in how familiar each identity is with the others. Dissociative identity disorder usually also includes bouts of amnesia and often includes times of confused wandering. 

Source: Mayo Clinic

Antisocial Personality Disorder

An enduring pattern of behavior characterized by disregard for, and violation of, the rights of others. 

Source: Wikipedia

Munchausen's by Proxy

A psychological disorder marked by attention- seeking behavior by a caregiver through those who are in their care. 

Munchausen's by proxy is a relatively rare behavioral disorder. It affects a primary caretaker, often a mother. The person with MSP gains attention by seeking medical help for exaggerated or made-up symptoms of a child in their care. As health care providers strive to identify what's causing the child's symptoms, the deliberate actions of the parent or caretaker can often make the symptom worse. 

Source: Web MD

Ex) Gypsy Rose Blanchard case. Her mother, Dee Dee Blanchard had Munchausen's by Proxy and created illnesses and diseases that her daughter, Gypsy Rose had in order to seek attention from other people. 

Dee Dee even convinced Gypsy Rose that she had most of these health issues and made Gypsy Rose take medications that she did not need, because Dee Dee had even convinced herself that Gypsy Rose had all of these things wrong with her. 

Dee Dee even altered Gypsy Rose's date of birth so even Gypsy Rose did not know her actual age. 

Psychopathy

Mental disorder especially when marked by egocentric and antisocial activity, a lack of remorse for one's actions, an absence of empathy for others, and often criminal tendencies. 

Source: Merriam Webster

Sociopathy