Dangerous Minds: The Mental Illnesses of Infamous Criminals

Mental illnesses have been found in some of the U.S.’s most loathsome killers throughout history, but it’s important to note that most people suffering from these illnesses do not commit any violent offenses. These instances of mental disorders represent only a small fraction of people diagnosed and the majority of people afflicted do not engage in criminal activity, especially if given proper treatment and social support.

In the wake of a violent assault, robbery, or murder, forensic psychologists typically examine the mental correlates of criminality. In order to get to the root of behavior, these justice system professionals will often ask such questions as:

• Did the accused have a troubled childhood?
• Does (s)he exhibit empathy for others?
• Does (s)he self-medicate with drugs or alcohol?

Not surprisingly, many criminals have been diagnosed with mental illnesses and may be suffering from co-occurring substance abuse.

So what are some of the most common psychological disorders associated with history’s most infamous American criminals—serial killers and terrorists in particular?

The Mental Illnesses of Infamous Criminals

Understanding the mental illness and psychological disorders of infamous criminal activities provides an in-depth insight into criminal behavior complexities. At the same time, these disorders and illnesses alone do not inherently lead to crimes, overlooked and untreated conditions can also sometimes manifest in dangerous ways when combined with societal neglect and external stressors.

Below are some of the most common and significant mental illnesses linked with criminal cases throughout history.

Schizophrenia

According to WebMD, schizophrenia—a wide-ranging (and often misdiagnosed) mental illness—lists symptoms ranging from hallucination and delusions to emotional flatness and catatonia. It is one of the most common mental disorders diagnosed among criminals, especially serial killers:

• David Berkowitz, better known as the “Son of Sam” killed six people in the 1970s claiming that his neighbor’s dog had told him to do it. He was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia.
• Ed Gein, the gruesome inspiration for fiction’s Norman Bates, Buffalo Bill, and Leatherface, murdered and mutilated his victims often keeping grisly “trophies.”
• Richard Chase, ”the vampire of Sacramento”, killed six people in California and drank their blood.
• David Gonzalez killed four people in 2004 and claimed he’d been inspired by “Nightmare on Elm Street.”
• Jared Lee Loughner, convicted of killing six people and wounding 13 including U.S. Representative Gabrielle Giffords in 2011, was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia.
• James Eagan Holmes, currently on trial for the 2012 “Batman murders” in Aurora, has been diagnosed with schizophrenia by 20 doctors.

Borderline personality disorder

This disease is characterized by impulsive behaviors, intense mood swings, feelings of low self-worth, and problems in interpersonal relationships (WebMD). It has also been diagnosed among some of the U.S.’s most notorious serial killers. Interestingly, this seems more common among female criminals:

• Aileen Wuornos, the woman who inspired the 2003 film “Monster” starring Charlize Theron, confessed to seven murders in Florida. She was also diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder.
• Jeffrey Dahmer, also known as the “Milwaukee Cannibal,” killed seventeen boys and men between 1978 and 1991. He also struggled with heavy alcohol abuse.
• Kristen H. Gilbert killed four patients at a Northampton, Virginia hospital where she worked as a nurse by administering fatal doses of epinephrine to induce cardiac arrest.

Antisocial personality disorder

Known in the past as “psychopathy,” this mental disorder is characterized by a total disregard for the feelings of others. People with APD may lie, act out violently, or break the law and show no remorse.

WebMD reports that while APD only affects 2 to 4 percent of the population and is more common in men, it may affect up to 47 percent of male inmates and 21 percent of female inmates. It’s also been diagnosed among three of the most ruthless American serial killers:

• Ted Bundy, an infamous killer and necrophile, confessed to 30 murders in the 1970s.
• John Wayne Gacy, known as the “Killer Clown,” raped and killed 33 boys and young men in the 1970s.
• Charles Manson, leader of the “Manson Family” cult and mastermind behind the 1969 murders at the home of Sharon Tate, was diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

According to WebMD, Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental illness that causes repeated unwanted thoughts or urges (obsessions). It also can cause you to do certain actions over and over again (compulsions). A person may have both obsessions and compulsions.

• John List, a religious man, murdered his entire family in 1971, planning the crime to avoid financial ruin and “save their souls.” His obsessive tendencies were evident in his methodical crime scene management and rigid behavior before the murders. A court-appointed psychiatrist testified that List suffered from obsessive-compulsive personality disorder.

Dissociative Identity Disorder

Previously known as multiple personality disorder, Dissociative identity disorder (DID) is a complex psychological condition caused by several things. These include severe trauma during early childhood (usually extreme, repetitive sexual, emotional, or physical abuse). It’s also known as split personality disorder according to the WebMD.

• Billy Milligan, an accused of multiple crimes, including robbery and the rape of three women in the 1970s, became the first person in U.S. history acquitted due to Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID). His defense revealed that 24 distinct personalities, including a violent man and a gentle young child, controlled his actions at different times.

Depression

Depression, also known as major depressive disorder, is a mood disorder that makes someone feel constant sadness or lack of interest in life. WebMD states that most people feel depressed or sad at times. It’s a normal reaction to loss or life’s challenges. But when intense sadness, including feeling hopeless, worthless, or helpless, lasts for many days to weeks and keeps someone from living their life, it may be something more than sadness. Such people could have clinical depression, a treatable medical condition.

• Seung-Hui Cho, the perpetrator of the 2007 Virginia Tech massacre, killed 32 people before taking his own life. He had a long history of social anxiety, selective mutism, and severe depression, which led to his inability to form social connections and isolation. Despite warnings from teachers, he did not receive adequate mental health support.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

WebMD states that posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a serious condition that develops after someone witnesses or experiences a terrifying or traumatic event involving serious physical harm or the threat of it. Examples include physical or sexual assault, an accident, the unexpected death of a loved one, a natural disaster, or a war.

• Eddie Ray Routh, a former U.S. Marine, was convicted of murdering Christopher Scott Kyle, author of a bestselling autobiography, American Sniper, and Chad Littlefield in February 2013. He had been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after serving in Iraq and Haiti, which contributed to his erratic and paranoid behavior leading up to the crime.

Conclusion

While these three disorders are commonly seen among violent criminals, there have also been a number of killers who were never diagnosed with mental illnesses. For example, Dean Corll, also known as the “Candy Man” or the “Pied Piper,” kidnapped, raped, and killed 28 boys between 1970 and 1973 in Houston, Texas, and was never diagnosed. Additionally, Timothy McVeigh, the Oklahoma City bomber of 1995, killed 168 people and injured over 600, and yet he too never was given a mental illness diagnosis.

Still, mental illness in prison populations and among criminals continues to be an issue in the United States today. To decrease prison recidivism and rates of violent crime, rehabilitative services and mental illness treatments must be improved in this dangerous yet vulnerable population.