tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27072566.post4777020720356419645..comments2024-03-14T03:16:23.482-05:00Comments on Everyone Needs Therapy: Slow Burn- Cho Seung-Hui-Differential Diagnosistherapydochttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05088184676439578876noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27072566.post-28614054232406347242007-04-30T10:10:00.000-05:002007-04-30T10:10:00.000-05:00Thanks, Anon.Thanks, Anon.therapydochttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05088184676439578876noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27072566.post-13738642307266717732007-04-30T08:58:00.000-05:002007-04-30T08:58:00.000-05:00You might find this link helpful. It was written b...You might find this link helpful. It was written by an autistic man about what his life was like pre-diagnosis. <BR/><BR/>Also research done by Lorna Wing, written about by Uta Frith describes the variations of higher functioning autism in three general categories of aloof, passive and active but odd. The aloof crowd is the least visible and the least written about.<BR/><BR/>http://bellsouthpwp.net/d/s/dspicer/tale.htmlAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27072566.post-85130462674567716532007-04-28T21:39:00.000-05:002007-04-28T21:39:00.000-05:00I can see that. It makes sense. Someone sent me ...I can see that. It makes sense. Someone sent me a link to research on this and I'm going to get to it as soon as I can.therapydochttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05088184676439578876noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27072566.post-77174966221743810182007-04-28T10:39:00.000-05:002007-04-28T10:39:00.000-05:00Some professionals believe that schizoid personali...Some professionals believe that schizoid personality disorder is actually a form of high-functioning autism. If Cho had autism with those features, the isolation, stress and anxiety of living in a world he couldn't understand would predispose him to all of the above.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27072566.post-82000622819926337972007-04-25T00:09:00.000-05:002007-04-25T00:09:00.000-05:00Foster,You wrote, I believe that had Cho been livi...Foster,<BR/>You wrote, <BR/><BR/><EM>I believe that had Cho been living in a different environment in which those who are different are tolerated and treated with kindness rather than teased, he would have lived a solitary life without things coming to this horrible conclusion.</EM><BR/><BR/>I've thought about how another culture, perhaps a tribal culture, might handle people like Cho and the picture into my head is<BR/><BR/>TOLERANCE, LOVE, CARE, UNDERSTANDING, SENSITIVITY<BR/><BR/>I think that in a small village people are more likely to trust and care for one another. Maybe I'm way off but perhaps industrialization has something to do with our misunderstanding and maltreatment of people who are different.<BR/><BR/>People think, Who has the time?therapydochttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05088184676439578876noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27072566.post-47318546868733184312007-04-24T23:57:00.000-05:002007-04-24T23:57:00.000-05:00Therapy Doc, I believe you to be absolutely correc...Therapy Doc, <BR/><BR/>I believe you to be absolutely correct in your diagnoses, particularly the schizoid personality disorder. For whatever reason I have made idle attempts to convince others as they rave about Cho having autism/psychopathy/being "evil"/ that these are incorrect assumptions, but the concept of personality disorder is a difficult one for the general public. Which is probably why we haven't been hearing much about that in the media, as it would only add to the confusion. I feel that it is important to try to correct these assumptions so that people do not develop unfounded fears of the autistic. They should fear the psychopath/ASPD'er, but need to understand what to look for, ie charming liars who take advantage, rather than loners. <BR/><BR/>In addition to the criteria from the DSM you listed, per the DSM, schizoid personality disorder in children is often misdiagnosed as autism. <BR/>Per the DSM once they are temporarily comfortable with someone they may reveal sadness over their isolation. Remember how Cho cried when his professor asked him if he was lonely? <BR/><BR/>And I agree with you that he did not display the features of antisocial personality disorder, particularly given that he committed suicide. ASPD'ers usually really enjoy living (and living off others) and live for the "con", therefore are constantly seeking association with others. He was not glib or charming like an ASPD'er, and was probably completely disinterested in conning anyone. The only thing he had in common with ASPD would be a lack of empathy, which is also one of the criteria for schizoid. <BR/><BR/> I wonder if there is any data on the crime/murder rates for schizoids, I rather doubt the data exists, given that they are rarely diagnosed/do not present in clinical situations. It would have to be just armchair speculation such as we are doing. Perhaps a rate of development of psychosis would be available.<BR/><BR/>I believe that had Cho been living in a different environment in which those who are different are tolerated and treated with kindness rather than teased, he would have lived a solitary life without things coming to this horrible conclusion. I wish the media would focus some more attention on the humane treatment of those who are "different". That would be the only way to prevent those 30+ deaths from being completely meaningless.<BR/><BR/>You are spot on in your assessments and I have added your blog to my "favorites". <BR/><BR/>Foster MDAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27072566.post-22218629897881831872007-04-23T20:45:00.000-05:002007-04-23T20:45:00.000-05:00Great comment, ANON. I'm thinking he was a quiet,...Great comment, ANON. I'm thinking he was a quiet, sullen kid who understood enough to get by but never responded. The squeaky wheel gets the oil thing.<BR/><BR/>Something tells me we'll all be a little more mindful, and yet if he really didn't have the words, how could he have told a caring person?<BR/><BR/>It's a very tough call, and you're right, the assumption that there's a language barrier probably threw everyone off.therapydochttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05088184676439578876noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27072566.post-25134301706702997012007-04-23T20:29:00.000-05:002007-04-23T20:29:00.000-05:00I agree that his presentation (at least what we kn...I agree that his presentation (at least what we know from the media) suggests possible schizophrenia, a personality disorder, or perhaps an anxiety / mood disorder with paranoid ideation. I do wonder if as a child he fit a diagnosis of high functioning autism or Asperger's disorder. I haven't heard much in the media suggesting stereotyped, repetitive behaviors. It's also hard to know if any of his interests would qualify as restricted interests as seen in PDD. Language delays would rule out Asperger's. From my perspective, it would have taken a skilled clinician at an earlier age to tease out whether his poor language was due to a true language delay versus English being his second language coupled with issues such as severe anxiety, selective mutism, and paranoid ideation. I haven't read his writings, but suspect his written language was probably good given his level of education. <BR/><BR/>Who knows. This discussion is purely academic.... I can't help but ask the obvious question to anyone who works in the mental health field. Why the hell didn't anyone get this kid help??!! I know this is easy to say, but there were so many signs & time for intervention. It is a tragedy for him and all those he harmed.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27072566.post-48308309545775995912007-04-19T09:19:00.000-05:002007-04-19T09:19:00.000-05:00Dear Anon, Right on about Ishmail. We can pick Ch...Dear Anon, Right on about Ishmail. We can pick Cho apart because he is our starkest reality right now, the poster child of mental illness.<BR/><BR/>My guess is that even as a child Cho was very suspicious and wouldn't have responded to kindness or others who undoubtedly did try to befriend him. That's not necessarily something that results from abuse, either, it can be endogenous, meaning biological, the brain's response to anxiety. For some that's paranoia.therapydochttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05088184676439578876noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27072566.post-41068598059188802852007-04-19T09:12:00.000-05:002007-04-19T09:12:00.000-05:00I tend to agree with therapy doc. Cho clearly sho...I tend to agree with therapy doc. Cho clearly showed psychotic behavior. Two thoughts, his plays obssess with father figures one a teacher one a stepfather. Paternalistic hatred either of his real father or a man in power usually reflects a past traumatic experience with a "man in position of power". Cho phantasized about dominating and failing to dominate this "abuser" or paternal figure. Him and his "girlfriend" were openly persecuted by the figure. Also Cho coming from a deeply repressed paternalistic Koreon culture reflecting the "christ" mythological obssesions in his rantings and writings. In regards to Ismael to the religious and others, Ishmael and Hagar his mother are sent out by their father ,regected by abraham and break off to form the tribes associated with Islam. Cho is reflecting some sort of cast out, outsider, rejection by a father figure. Indeed it sounds like he fled or was sent aaway from Korea, his family background will be key in understanding who this boy was. Watch America's new obssession live as we all pick this guy apart and try and understand him. Makes me sad someone didnt take the kid by the hand and socialise him if it was even possible.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27072566.post-40676295657636607832007-04-18T20:01:00.000-05:002007-04-18T20:01:00.000-05:00I love your blog, it has been particularly helpful...I love your blog, it has been particularly helpful in the wake of this tragedy. Thank you!ShellyAnnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01610651105710124091noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27072566.post-48956453531555456742007-04-18T17:59:00.000-05:002007-04-18T17:59:00.000-05:00So far I haven't really heard his history, nothing...So far I haven't really heard his history, nothing about his youth. I'm interested in finding out if he was one of the quiet kids who tried to please but didn't have the self to talk, or if he was simply totally detached from his mental illness.therapydochttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05088184676439578876noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27072566.post-68300859741576663772007-04-18T17:25:00.000-05:002007-04-18T17:25:00.000-05:00I know a lot of people feel flashing this guy's fa...I know a lot of people feel flashing this guy's face all over the media is only serving to glorify him, but I must say, I have been extra-interested in your blog the last couple days.<BR/>For years I have been interested in reading about the minds of killers (uh, which hopefully doesn't make me a nut??) and am currently reading two books about brain health. <BR/>I just hope the coverage enlightens more people, parents especially, about signs of dangerous mental illness. I know that no one could "force" this kid into therapy, but my god, at some point he should have been pulled out of school. He clearly did not have the mental or emotional health to function in such an environment. Obviously he had frightened other students and teachers. When do we say, "Look, enough!"?? Why do we consistently wait for something to happen and then shake our heads and say, "we should have known"??<BR/>His plays--yes, I read them too--lead me to wonder if he was abused as a child. But ultimately, I will never know, nor is it really my information to know. <BR/>I guess all we can hope for in such awful situations is that some learning comes from it. And my hope is that learning how to care for mentally ill youth for the security of themselves and others is one outcome.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27072566.post-23372878940112856542007-04-18T16:11:00.000-05:002007-04-18T16:11:00.000-05:00I read them, too, even though I didn't want to. I...I read them, too, even though I didn't want to. If they were calls for help, they almost made it. His professor tried. He was at the point of no return, however, when he bought those guns.<BR/><BR/>No guns.therapydochttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05088184676439578876noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27072566.post-45173340324696552332007-04-18T16:02:00.000-05:002007-04-18T16:02:00.000-05:00I was really wondering about Cho as well. I read ...I was really wondering about Cho as well. I read both his plays. It was so singular and angry. <BR/><BR/>Such a shame.Heidihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13745459878506323399noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27072566.post-79978320570332622962007-04-18T16:00:00.000-05:002007-04-18T16:00:00.000-05:00Great, it's what I wanted to do, FH.Great, it's what I wanted to do, FH.therapydochttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05088184676439578876noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27072566.post-39476864915448935122007-04-18T15:34:00.000-05:002007-04-18T15:34:00.000-05:00Linda,Thanks for writing this. I'm grateful that y...Linda,<BR/>Thanks for writing this. I'm grateful that you have the ability to put words to what I sense only intuitively and without the education needed to express it. You have that education, the words and express it in a way I think most people should be able to understand. <BR/><BR/>This post will help me as I talk about this over the next days and weeks.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27072566.post-61396399437594097622007-04-18T10:08:00.000-05:002007-04-18T10:08:00.000-05:00I'm not sure why this didn't get published. I tho...I'm not sure why this didn't get published. I thought I pushed the right button. But thanks, ANONYMOUS.<BR/><BR/>Anonymous to me<BR/> <BR/><BR/>Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Virginia Tech Massacre":<BR/><BR/>Please be aware of the following breaking news story appearing on ABC News (http://abcnews.go.com/Health/VATech/story?id=3050483&page=1 )<BR/><BR/>Cho Likely Schizophrenic, Evidence Suggests A Closer Look at the Minds of Mass Shooters By MICHAEL WELNER, M.D. <BR/>April 17, 2007 — - Renowned forensic psychiatrist Michael Welner has examined some of the most notorious mass shooters of recent years. As details emerge about Seung-Hui Cho, the chairman of the Forensic Panel is following the case for ABC News and sharing his insights from his experience and current medical literature. Using the latest informaton, Welner believes the evidence strongly supports that Cho had paranoid schizophrenia.<BR/>Copyright © 2007 ABC News Internet Venturestherapydochttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05088184676439578876noreply@blogger.com