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Subscribe to RSSCould Jerry Sandusky have a psychiatric condition that helps explain the alleged acts of sexual abuse he's currently on trial for? That's what the defense for the former Penn State assistant football coach intends to argue, according to court documents released today.
Prosecutors have argued that letters Sandusky wrote to multiple young boys are proof of "grooming behavior" -- something pedophiles do that might include giving kids presents or acting nicely toward the child to establish an intimate relationship. Over time, it can make the child feel like he or she "owes" the predator sexual acts. The defense intends to argue that these letters exhibit signs of a histrionic personality disorder, a psychiatric condition in which people act in overly emotional and dramatic ways in order to draw attention to themselves.
The defense may or may not succeed in arguing that an undiagnosed personality disorder explains the letters, but when it comes to the case as a whole, the psychiatric issue is irrelevant, says Dr. Liza Gold, clinical prof of psychology at Georgetown University.
"This really has nothing to do with whether he molested boys," says Gold, who stresses that she has not examined Sandusky herself.
"There's no evidence that I know of that links personality disorder to pedophilia," she says. Some pedophiles may have a personality disorder, and some with a personality disorder may be pedophiles. But there's no correlation between the two, argues Gold, who also serves as the vice president of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law. "It's apples and oranges. It's not even apples and oranges; it's apples and rocks."
People with histrionic personality disorder often need to feel like they're the center of attention, and they tend to seek endless reassurances and approval from others. They may believe a relationship is more intimate than it actually is, and they may act in inappropriately seductive ways toward other people. One hint of the disorder may be a string of failed romantic relationships or a history of many job changes -- and while that's not the case in all with the condition, it's worth noting that Sandusky has been married to the same woman since the late '60s, and he spent almost his entire three-decade career as an assistant coach at Penn State.
To diagnose a person with the disorder, a psychologist will consider his or her current and past patterns of behavior and overall psychiatric history, and compare them with the current definition of histrionic personality disorder according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, usually referred to as the DSM.
It's true that the defense could have evidence of a previous psychiatric history that hasn't been made public. But as Gold says, it's not uncommon for a person in legal trouble to claim they have a psychiatric disorder of some kind. She adds that it would be unusual for an older man to be diagnosed with the personality disorder late in life, especially because the condition is more common in women.
"Even if he has a personality disorder, it would not, to my mind, explain any kind of behavior involving child abuse and inappropriate relationships with children," Gold reiterates.
"I think the money question is, So he has a histrionic personality disorder. So what?" she continues. "You have to show that there's some relationship to the behavior at issue. And the behavior at issue isn't writing some letters to some kids; the behavior at issue here is pedophilia."
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Does it matter if the a**hole who lit the fire is a pyromaniac?
Why does it matter if he has a disorder? The school shouldn't hire people with a disorder. I failed to get a job once because I had a heart murmer. They need to screen people that work with kids. Not just give them keys to the lockerroom and turn them loose to do what they want. Jerry must be held accountable but so should the school.
Put him in a room with the molested, all of them. After the beating ...shoot him in the head point blank and be done with it.
put him in the ring with Manny Paquiao
No doubt, pedophiles have issues with controlling their sexual impulses. But in spite of their obsession with sexually abusing children, pedophiles are functional 'nuts'. If most of them are capable of getting married and maintain a marital relationship with the same person for years, have children of their own, maintain employment for years on end, and have a social life with other adults, then it does not matter if that freak Sandusky allow his weak impulses to control him. Therefore, he needs to deal with the consequences of his actions! Sandusky is selfish and he did not take into consideration that what he was doing would make innocent children sick like he is. His acts of pedophilia was premeditated. Because Sandusky preyed on children who were at risk. Children who needed guidance, which is why Sandusky set-up that organization so that he would have access to those children. Sandusky knew exactly what he was doing. Sandusky is crazy and nasty, but he is capable of planning!!
Over 70% of people who were sexually abused as children do not become pedophiles. Although, many of them do suffer other issues, such as problems with authority figures, including dealings with the law. Most major convicts are victims of some form of sexual and/or physical abuse. That's why most convicts do not like other convicts who are convicted of sex crimes, especially child molestation.
And many victims of child molestation also have issues with maintaining intimate relationships and social relationships. Some of them may be loners or have problems getting along with other people, especially people who they associate with the person who molested them.
So given that concept, Sandusky is just another freak who is trying to get over. Because he knows that if he goes to jail for any period of time, his ass is literally grass! Sandusky knew what the hell he was doing, or why else would he try to hide it for so long??
this is classic," take no responsibility for your actions" and the lawyers are crap for trying to imply that he has somekind of "personality disorder" to explain away molesting those kids. His own adopted son was going to testify that he too was molested.....no wonder they didn't want him to get on the witness stand
If he gets off on a "personality disorder" then every pedophile after him will plea the same defense...
He still ruined many people's lives by his actions...
He needs to go to prison and be on the other side of his behavior to the young boys.
Old man pervert syndrome or restless penis syndrome is the personality disorder that Jerry Sandusky has.
Molesting his adopted son also.
We should send him a letter that was caused by kick his A disorder.
I'm glad the jury found him guilty. They made the right choice. Once a pedophile, always a pedophile. I hope his son, as well as his victims, will all be able to get the help they need to not necessarily get over it, because of course, no one can, completely. It will always be a part of them. But, I hope they can go on to better lives and a brighter future. I have to think that Dottie had to have known something all along. Not that she's at fault, but surely, she must've known something was going on, if not with the kids at Second Mile, she should have known something was going on with Matt, their son. Why didn't she say something about that? Was it money that kept her quiet? Just a thought.