GMCU OFFICER TRAINING COURSE: PHYCHOPATHY

WHAT IS PSYCHOPATHY? Psychopathy is a personality disorder characterized by lack of empathy and remorse, shallow emotions, egocentricity and deception. Psychopathic individuals are prone to anti-social behavior and abusive treatment of others. They can be charming, and are adept at focusing their cold, calculating efforts solely on self-gratification, typically at the expense of others. They rationalize, justify or deny any wrongdoing, while perceiving themselves as victims of an unfair society.

CAUSE OF PSYCHOPATHY Genetic factors are believed to influence the development of psychopathy while environmental factors affect the specific traits that predominate. Dysfunction of certain brain regions is sometimes regarded as a biological explanation for psychopathy. The exact cause of psychopathy is still under scientific debate.

PSYCHOPATHIC AND YOUNG PEOPLE There seems to be reasonable evidence that juvenile psychopathy shows similar correlates (e.g. aggression, neurocognitive deficits, substance misuse) to adult psychopathy.  Most schools tend to associate youth with psychopathy to bullies or delinquents. Due to this, many of these students are not recognized for their disorder and often will be treated simply as a "problem" student. Juveniles identified as psychopathic may be more ‘malleable’ and benefit more from treatment than their older counterparts.

SOCIAL ATTITUDE & MYTHS The typical social attitude towards the disorder is negative. The most common belief among the general population is that psychopathic individuals are all “crazy” and “violent” criminals. In reality, many of them live inconspicuously amongst us due to their abilities of deception and manipulation. Most psychopathic individuals do not take the lives of their victims literally, only figuratively. Victims may be harmed psychologically, emotionally, physically, financially, and socially.

TREATMENT There is little evidence of a cure or any effective treatment for psychopathy as no medications can instill empathy. Psychopaths do not usually benefit from therapy as they cannot form the emotional bond to the therapist required for effective treatment. No treatment may ever be effective. Psychopathy may not even be a clinical disorder that can be treated. All that can be hoped for is a set of strategies that limit the harm done by psychopaths by incapacitating the psychopath.

LOCAL PROGRAMS Due to the reasons mentioned previously, there are currently no programs in place for psychopathic individuals anywhere. Here in Gotham City, psychopathic criminals and the criminally insane are held in Arkham Asylum, in the Narrows district.

A NOTE OF CAUTION When learning about psychopathy, it may be tempting to diagnose difficult friends, family members, acquaintances and coworkers with the disorder, but only a trained professional can make an accurate diagnosis. Many people have one or two psychopathic traits without being psychopathic, and those under extreme stress, suffering from mental illness or abusing substances may manifest many of the symptoms without being psychopathic by nature.

THIS PRESENTATION IS DEDICATED TO THE MERORY OF HEATH LEDGER 1979-2008