Addiction to violence: A new model of psychopathy
Abstract
Our understanding of the Mental Health Act 1983 category of psychopathic disorder is not enhanced by describing it as a personality disorder. A new operational concept of psychopathic disorder would greatly assist in both diagnosis and treatment planning. This paper proposes that psychopathic disorder has its origins in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) consequent on childhood sexual and physical abuse. Such abuse is common in the background histories of psychopaths. Recent research on PTSD in Vietnam veterans has suggested that it is often associated with an increase in aggression and violence. In some veterans violent behaviour can assume the characteristics of an addiction, while at the same time becoming indistinguishable from the behaviour of violent psychopaths. Conceptualising psychopaths as being addicted to violence as a consequence of a developmentally mediated PTSD leads to many new avenues of possible treatment.
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Date
1992
Type
Article
Subject
Psychopathology, Post-traumatic stress disorders, Violence
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Citation
Hodge, J. E. (1992). Addiction to violence: A new model of psychopathy. Criminal Behaviour and Mental Health, 2 (2), pp.212-223.