Psychologists have spent decades studying the brains of known serial killers in an attempt to discover what makes them tick. Are serial killers built just like the rest of us, or are their brains wired differently? What makes them become vicious, unrepentant killers?
Many serial killers suffer from antisocial personality disorder (APD), which does not usually have a clinical diagnosis. APD allows a killer to easily manipulate and charm people without the burden of empathy. However, some serial killers suffer from deeper mental illness, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or borderline personality disorder, which affects their ability to tell right from wrong.
When a serial killer is diagnosed, it makes it tough to work out whether they are fit to stand trial and face justice. Some people even believe that mentally ill serial killers should not be held responsible for their actions. For this reason, many killers go undiagnosed until after their trial (if at all). Then, the killers claim to be crazy in order to avoid the death penalty. In reality, although these murderers all are disturbed psychopaths, very few actually have a diagnosable mental illness.
This list includes famous murderers with antisocial personality disorders and paranoid schizophrenic killers. So which ones are actually insane? Find out below.
Ed Gein was the inspiration for some of the scariest fictional killers, including Norman Bates and Leatherface. After being charged with the murder and mutilation of multiple victims, he was deemed unfit for trial and diagnosed with schizophrenia.
Ten years later, he faced trial and was found guilty, but spent the rest of his days in a mental hospital.
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Richard Chase killed six people in Northern California and famously drank their blood, leading to his nickname, "The Vampire of Sacramento."
Before his first murder, Chase was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia and was institutionalized for a year. After his spree, however, doctors concluded that he had acquired psychosis through his heavy drug use. Regardless, he suffered serious mental health issues.
