What Mental Health Disorders did Infamous Serial Killers Have?

Many wonder what drove serial killers to do what they did. The answer to many of those questions is a severe form of a mental disorder, mainly personality disorders such as antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) and narcissistic personality disorder (NPD), that change how someone perceives themselves and others. However, we must disclose beforehand that while many criminals suffer from mental disorders, this does not under any circumstance mean that having a mental disorder means someone will violate the law because of it. Many other factors are at play that coexist with said mental disorder. In this article, we will briefly cover what four of the most infamous serial killers were diagnosed with and what that diagnosis means.

Ted Bundy

Ted Bundy is one of the most well-known serial killers in America. Infamous for confessing to over thirty murders and suspected by the public to have committed hundreds more, he was diagnosed by Hervey Cleckley with psychopathy, which goes under antisocial personality disorder (ASPD). A psychopath is described as completely disregarding others, causing them to be violent or cruel, and is considered to be a severe form of ASPD. Psychopathy is not listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.; DSM–5; American Psychiatric Association, 2013) as a diagnosis meaning that people would instead be diagnosed with ASPD. ASPD is a personality disorder in which someone is unable to feel empathy and usually have a long-term pattern of violating the rights of others.

Additionally, Bundy was also diagnosed with bipolar disorder by Dorothy O. Lewis. Bipolar disorder is characterized by mood swings and episodes that last for over two weeks, according to the DSM-5. Many speculate he had other disorders such as NPD, borderline personality disorder (BPD), and schizoid personality disorder (SPD). However, he was not diagnosed with these during his lifetime, but we will talk about a possible list of disorders he most likely had in a future article.

Jeffrey Dahmer

Due to the recent Netflix series on Jeffrey Dahmer, he has received an influx of media attention. He is infamous for raping and murdering seventeen boys and men between 1978-1991, but what was his diagnosis? Well, he was diagnosed with three different mental disorders, including borderline personality disorder, schizotypal personality disorder, and a psychotic disorder. Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a complex personality disorder that affects an individual’s perception of themselves and others, usually in a negative light. Those with BPD tend to showcase a pattern of instability in relationships, self-image, and emotions. These emotions tend to be so overwhelming and unpredictable that forming lasting relationships is a difficult job, along with difficulty functioning in daily life.

Schizotypal personality disorder (SPTD) is characterized by a pattern of discomfort with close relationships, distorted perceptions, as well as erratic behavior. People with STPD tend to have extreme discomfort with social interactions and be superstitious as well as paranoid. However, the DSM-5 notes that this should not be confused with delusions. Additionally, those with STPD are typically under the belief that those they form relationships with think poorly of them.

Finally, psychotic disorders are very complex, but are characterized by a disconnection from reality. Psychotic disorders are also characterized by abnormal thinking and perceptions. While Dahmer suffered from three different mental disorders, he was considered to be legally sane and able to stand trial.

Dennis Rader

Dennis Rader, also known as the BTK killer, was infamous because he bound, tortured, then killed his victims. He had ten victims. Rader was diagnosed with narcissistic personality disorder (NPD), antisocial personality disorder (ASPD), and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

NPD is a personality disorder in which a person has a pattern of grandiosity and a need for attention from others. Individuals with NPD also seem to have a lowered ability to empathize with others.

We discussed ASPD before, but in short, an individual with ASPD would showcase a long-term pattern of violating the rights of others along with a lack of empathy. Individuals with ASPD tend to be impulsive and disregard their safety as well as the safety of others.

OCD is different for many people, but is usually characterized by obsessions that lead to compulsions. Intrusive thoughts are common when someone has OCD and may lead to repetition or compulsions. Obsessions (uncontrollable thoughts) may lead to anxiety and typically affect a person’s ability to function normally. Rader pled guilty and was given ten life sentences, which he still serves today.

Ed Gein

Ed Gein inspired many horror media like Psycho, The Silence of the Lambs, and The Texas Chain Saw Massacre. Gein collected body parts and used them to make household items such as lampshades, chairs, masks, etc. Gein was diagnosed with schizophrenia along with sexual psychopathy.

Schizophrenia is a severe disorder in which a person’s ability to function and think clearly is affected. An abnormally distorted view of reality is common in schizophrenia. Psychotic symptoms of schizophrenia include hallucinations, delusions, and a disconnection from reality. Difficulty with someone’s ability to concentrate on a task properly may be negatively affected as well, along with disorganized speech. A person’s ability to communicate with others may be impaired when not being treated. Schizophrenia is common and very serious, but treatable and manageable.

Gein was diagnosed with necrophilia due to his attraction to corpses that resembled his mother. However, he claimed he did not have sex with the bodies, but the attraction to them still meant he would be diagnosed. Necrophilia, by definition, is the sexual attraction to corpses. Gein was found not guilty by reason of insanity and was sent to a mental hospital, where he stayed until he died of cancer in 1984.

Conclusion

Many serial killers seem to have overlapping mental disorders such as narcissistic personality disorder, antisocial personality disorder, and schizophrenia. However, many people seem to take this information and use it against those struggling with mental illness. With the proper treatment and awareness, many people with mental disorders don’t ever commit a crime in their life and instead learn how to manage their disorder(s). Additionally, as mentioned above, many other factors coexist with a person’s mental disorder, such as abuse and environment, that lead them to commit a crime. If you are a loved one is struggling, don't hesitate to get in touch with a suicide hotline such as

• 988 - Available 24/7

• Text HOME to 741741

If ever in an emergency, please get in touch with your local emergency help number or a person you trust.

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