Personality Disorders

» redback - A rose by any other

I don't know whether you're checking back here, Tami, but this article reminded me that once I thought of pursuing criminology studies...a lifetime ago. I hadn't re-visited these problems esp from the discipline or viewpoint of your latest article, til now. So, I'm finding them VERY interesting.

Whether the diagnosis is available pre-sentence or pre-release create interesting challenges. There is 'reward' available that may corrupt the results. There are inconsistencies in sentencing that may make either diagnosis academic. And...it's over once time is served. Until next time.

I tend to favour the less discriminating 'label' generally, but in context of crime, I'm not persuaded 'APD' is particularly descriptive as by definition all crime has soem element of anti-social behaviour in it, doesn't? There is an alleged 'victimless' crime and white collar crime...as if they both somehow should be more tolerable. And as far as stigma goes, my pet concern, here it seems the stigma is more related to the tag 'criminal'?

PS: I thought you guys pronounced it tom-AR-toe, not tom-aht-2.

-- posted by redback

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» Tami Port - A rose by any other

In response to A rose by any other posted by redback:

Tom-AR-toe? What US movies have you been watching? Up here in Michigan, we tend towards a nasally Tah-MAAAAAAYY-do dont-cha-no?

Regarding the rest of your response, I also find the whole semantics discussion on PD labels to be very fascinating.

Some of the dialogue seems very much academic, and while I can see the utility of thoroughly defining what PD traits and etiology, we are talking about...i.e. sociopath, psychopath...If an antisocial individual goes on a murdering, abusing or swindling spree, does it really matter if he/she is considered a sociopath of psychopath?

I am interested on your input on this discussion from a forensic psych and criminology perspective. And would you mind sharing more about your background, since you seem to have been more exposed to the legal interpretation of these labels.

Also, by your comment, "I tend to favour the less discriminating 'label' generally, but in context of crime, I'm not persuaded 'APD' is particularly descriptive ..." do you mean that you see the more behavior-based APD label to be more useful in a criminal/forensic context than, for example, a PCL assessment that includes the less tangible aspects of psychopathy?

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» redback - A rose by any other

In response to A rose by any other posted by tamiport:

As I stated, I thought of pursuing those studies...but didn't ...so have no great input from the forensic or criminologist perspective.

I got a generalist Jack o all trades, master o none degree a lifetime ago that covered probation & parole, welfare, health education & related stuff. Studied abnormal psych only at that level. Then did not use the skills until rust set in.

43 years ago, worked in researching war-caused illnesses, their links to POW camps etc. My career background's been in the development of social welfare policy and of disability policy specialising in disability-based welfare payments. The issues of premature diagnosis, medical opinions outside their field/s of expertise, setting diagnostic standards of evidence based on DSM, fraud protection etc. What is realistically treatable: 'permanent' vs 'temporary'. Worked on a daily basis with senior doctors. "continuous improvement' etc. At least 3 sides to every coin and heady stuff for my memoirs.

Personality disorders were not a significant part of any reviews...but there were clearly unrealistic policy/law expectations of recovery for mental illnesses...and the consequences of untreated, undiagnosed problems.

I was thinking of just avoiding stigma generally BUT to your question re APD/PCL: it seems to me both APD and PCL may be relevant to the jigsaw that is criminal profiling. Look at the NPD posts here and ponder filling in the clinical assessments for the diagnosis or profile. It just seems to me these tools ought to be rigorously tested, re-jigged where needed and receive 'accreditation' if they meet the purpose. Otherwise they're loose indicators, not determinative.

I did practice the way you say tomato. Crikey, stalk Strine**: Tm-ar-t slurring it into the adjoining words. Dja eatcha tmart,Tami? (**lets talk Australian)

-- posted by redback

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