Jeffrey Dahmer - A Psychological Insight
We all know about the atrocities of the Milwaukee Cannibal, but what drove him to commit such acts?
Dahmer pled guilty but insane before the actual trial. Psychiatric experts testified that he knew right from wrong, regardless of psychological state. So what did Dahmer suffer from, and how did this impact his crimes?
There are many different possible diagnoses for Jeffrey Dahmer. Upon psychological inspection, many different possibilities arose for Dahmer’s mental state.
Antisocial Personality Disorder
Perhaps the most obvious diagnosis, APD is a disorder that has been flirted with by psychologists to explain Dahmer’s behaviour. It is catagorised by the following:
- Exploit, manipulate and violate the rights of others
- No remorse or regret
- Irresponsible, no regard for social norms
- Very few long term, meaningful relationships
- Problems with temper and frustration
- Lack guilt for their actions
- Blame others for their own short-comings
- Break the law consistently
This may seem like, on the surface, an appropriate diagnosis for Dahmer. However, the way in which he killed, and his self professed reasons for doing so, do not fit the criteria. Many psychologists deny this as the driving force behind his crimes, as his motives seemed to be propelled more by insecurity, self gratification and instability, rather than anger.
Autistic Development Disorder
Many children suffer from a form of Autistic Spectrum Disorder, which inevitably carries through to adulthood. It is categorized by the following:
- Social & communication difficulties
- Exhibit behaviours that other would deem “different” and “repetitive”
- Intense obsessions
- Is often coupled with Social Anxiety and General Anxiety Disorder
- Monotonous or flat speech
- Uncomfortable with human touch
No two people present the same Autistic behaviors, so categorization is difficult.
Jeffrey Dahmer developed from a very young age an obsession with bones, namely animal bones. Lionel Dahmer (father) said in his book “A Fathers Story” that he encouraged this behavior, as he felt it may lead to a career in the medical field. He ultimately viewed this obsession as a harmless one.
In school, Dahmer had a lot of trouble with social interaction. He spoke of this himself in a later interview from prison, stating that “The subtleties of social life were beyond my grasp. When children liked me, I did not know why. Nor could I formulate a plan for winning their affection. I simply didn’t know how things worked with other people…. And try as I might, I couldn’t make other people seem less strange and unknowable”
Experts that assessed Dahmers behaviour, say that there is a connection between Aspergers and sexual development, aggressive behavior and low mood.
Borderline Personality Disorder
After molesting a 13 year old, psychologists found Dahmer to be uncooperative, angry, manipulative and emotionally unstable. He later told his probation officer that his life lacked meaning and purpose. Could this empty feeling, coupled with an unstable disposition be a sign of BPD?
- Emotional Instability
- Disturbed patterns of thinking or perceptions
- Impulsive and reckless behavior
- Unstable sense of self
- Extreme fear of abandonment and rejection
- Intense and unstable relationships with others
- Obsessive behaviors such as obsessing over other people
In his confession, Jeffrey Dahmer said he murdered the men to prevent them from leaving and abandoning him. This intense fear of being “left” is very common among BPD sufferers, and this, coupled with his extreme denial of his homosexuality (unstable sense of self) may make BPD a likely diagnosis.
Personality Disorder Not Otherwise Specified; with Schizoid, Antisocial, and Schizotypal Traits
Psychiatrists that assessed Dahmer found that they were unable to conclude what afflictions he suffered from. The above diagnosis was given.
How would JD have been treated on the outside?
There are many different therapies that are available for the above mental health problems. Below is a selection of these that may have been implemented:
Borderline Personality Disorder
- DBT - Dialectical Behavioural Therapy
Coupled with medication for related depression and anxiety
Aspergers
- A combination of Social Skills Training, Speech and Language therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Applied Behavioral Analysis and Medication
Many psychologists also think that a combination of Psychotherapy, Psychopharmacology and Hormone Therapy would have helped Dahmer to live a functional life.
How was Dahmer treated in prison?
Dahmer received no official therapy in prison for his mental health issues, other than the pastoral care of the prison minister.
He converted to Christianity whilst in prison. Was this a genuine move one Dahmer’s part to seek forgiveness and live a better, more fulfilling life? Or was it yet another desperate attempt to fit into a group and establish an identity for himself?
Had Jeffrey been given the opportunity to receive quality mental health assessments and care, some believe he could’ve served as a “guinea pig” in how to treat extreme deviance such as this.
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