Jeffrey Dahmer Borderline Personality Disorder

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Recommended: Psychodynamic theory of serial killers

The definition of a serial killer is almost always defined as a person who commits a series of murders, usually with a predictable behavior pattern known as their signature. Serial killers tend to have a psychological characteristic that is the motivation for their killings. There have been theories proposed and researched to help determine what triggers someone into being a serial killer. According to the Cognition 101 Journal, the most broadly recognized mental disorder associated with serial killing is Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD). This is a cluster B personality in the DSM IV and is intimately related with psychopathy (Blair, 2006). Individuals who have been diagnosed with severe mental disorders and have desires to commit murder …show more content…

Borderline personality disorder is a mental disease which is characterized by impulsive behaviors, intense mood swings, and feelings of low self-worth. It has also been diagnosed among some of the U.S.’s most notorious serial killers. One of many serial killers diagnosed with Borderline personality disorder is Jeffrey Dahmer, also known as the “Milwaukee Cannibal”. Jeffery was an American serial killer and convicted sex offender who took the lives of 17 males between 1978 and 1991. Dahmer was captured in 1991 and sentenced to 16 life terms (biography.com). Jeffery Dahmer’s behavior was impulsive and psychotic. Many people with borderline personality disorder experience similar behavior. They are also more likely to attempt or commit suicide than the average person. Many times people with this disorder tend to harm themselves as a way of punishment or away to fight a feeling of lonesomeness. When they harm themselves they do it without intending to commit suicide. However, when they become stressed people with borderline personality disorder may develop psychotic-like symptoms. They experience a distortion of their perceptions or beliefs rather than a distinct break with reality (health.harvard.edu). Jeffery Dahmer had no regards for the way people felt. He lacked sympathy and had several desires to harm himself as well as other people around

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