Perspective: Mental illness is the common denominator in school shootings.

Nikolas Cruz (Douglas HS, FL.), Adam Lanza (Sandy Hook ES, CT.), Eric Harris/Dylan Klebold (Columbine HS, CO.), Seung-Hui Cho (Virginia Tech, VA.). What do these school shooting perpetrators have in common? They all suffered from mental illness.

Based upon their age, they either suffered from a “Conduct Disorder” or an “Antisocial Personality Disorder” ASP. The difference between them; a Conduct Disorder is a diagnosis from 13-18 years of age and an Antisocial Personality Disorder is usually given to those over 18 years of age. Symptoms for both are very similar and educators, school resource officers and parents need to educate themselves on these symptoms.

Symptoms of conduct disorder generally fall into four categories:

1) Aggressive behavior toward people and animals. This includes bullying, threatening, physical violence, use of a weapon, physical cruelty to people or animals, and forcing someone to perform a sexual act.

2) Property destruction, including setting fires and purposefully destroying property.

3) Deceit or theft, including lying, breaking into someone else’s property with the intent to steal, and shoplifting.

4) Serious violations of rules, including breaking family rules, running away from home, and frequently skipping school before the age of 13.

For a diagnosis of conduct disorder, at least three of these behaviors must have occurred within the past year, with at least one of them occurring within the past six months. The number of symptoms exhibited, and the degree of injury or damage done, determines whether it is a case of mild, moderate, or severe conduct disorder.

Antisocial Personality Disorder is much more common in males than in females. The highest prevalence of antisocial personality disorder is found among males who abuse alcohol or drugs or who are in prisons or other forensic settings.

Symptoms of Antisocial Personality Disorder are:

·         Disregard for society’s laws

·         Violation of the physical or emotional rights of others

·         Lack of stability in job and home life

·         Irritability and aggressiveness

·         Lack of remorse

·         Consistent irresponsibility

·         Recklessness, impulsivity

·         Deceitfulness

·         A childhood diagnosis (or symptoms consistent with) conduct disorder

Antisocial personality is confirmed by a psychological evaluation. Other disorders should be ruled out first, as this is a serious diagnosis.

The alcohol and drug abuse common among people with antisocial personality disorder can exacerbate symptoms of the disorder. When substance abuse and antisocial personality disorder coexist, treatment is more complicated for both.

(italicized parts taken from Psychology Today)

https://www.psychologytoday. com/conditions/conduct- disorder

https://www.psychologytoday. com/conditions/antisocial- personality-disorder

Those with Antisocial Personality Disorder see themselves as normal and often do not seek treatment because they don’t see themselves as others see them. Educators, parents and school resource officers need to work together to bring about treatment with those that suffer from ASP. It has to be a positive approach since ASP sufferers don’t feel they need treatment.

Mental health treatment is not cheap, we need to invest in, not only treating those who suffer from ASP, but mental health treatment is a huge investment in the safety of our children at school.

Daryl Hensley
Jasper