NCJ Number
28685
Journal
Archives of General Psychiatry Volume: 32 Dated: (FEBRUARY 1975) Pages: 179-183
Date Published
1975
Length
5 pages
Annotation
SOCIOPATHS WHO IN OUTPATIENT SETTINGS SEEM TO BE WITHOUT ANXIETY, UNABLE TO EXPERIENCE DEPRESSION, AND WITHOUT MOTIVATION FOR RECOVERY MANIFEST COMPREHENSIBLE PERSONALITY DISORDERS IN A PRISON HOSPITAL SETTING.
Abstract
THE AUTHOR EXAMINES WHY IN THE EYES OF MOST PSYCHIATRISTS THE OUTPATIENT SOCIOPATH MAY APPEAR INCORRIGIBLE, INHUMAN, UNFEELING, GUILTLESS, AND UNABLE TO LEARN FROM EXPERIENCE; AND IN AN INPATIENT SETTING SEEM NEITHER ALIEN NOR UNTREATABLE. CASE HISTORIES OF THREE NARCOTIC ADDICTS WHO ALSO WERE IMPRISONED FOR FELONY OFFENSES (AT THE U.S. PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE HOSPITAL AT LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY) ARE PRESENTED AS EXAMPLES OF THIS TREATMENT PHENOMENON. THE AUTHOR CONTENDS THAT IN TREATING SUCH SOCIOPATHS, EXTERNAL CONTROLS ARE IMPORTANT SINCE IT IS VITAL BOTH TO APPRECIATE THE CONTAGION OF THE PSYCHOPATH'S INVISIBLE ANXIETY AND TO PROVIDE SUCH INDIVIDUALS WITH ALTERNATIVE DEFENSES WITH WHICH TO MITIGATE THEIR DEPRESSION. HE ADDS THAT SOCIOPATHS MUST BE REALISTICALLY, BUT NOT PUNITIVELY, CONFRONTED WITH THE CONSEQUENCES OF THEIR BEHAVIOR. REFERENCES ARE INCLUDED.