Jeffrey Dahmer

The New School Psychology Bulletin Volume 5, No. 1, 2007

Jeffrey Dahmer: His Complicated, Comorbid Psychopathologies and Treatment Implications
Abigail Strubel, M.A.1

Abstract ~ The American serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer was afflicted with a unique constellation of psychological and personality disorders, as well as severe social skill deficits. The study of such a case can illuminate possible links between seemingly distinct disorders, such as pedophilia and substance abuse, and attempted treatment of such a person could prove a useful research means into developing treatment protocols for clients with similar disorders. The author examines a journalist's account of Dahmer's behavior as the primary source of information about his disorders,…show more content…
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Dahmer Psychopathology and Treatment

[APA], 2000, p. 568). It is difficult to think of a person who better meets these criteria than Jeffrey Dahmer, who may have suffered from a combination of paraphilias, depression, substance dependence, Asperger's Disorder, disordered personality, and social skills deficits. This "perfect storm" of pathology led him to become one of the worst serial murderers of the 20th century and posed unique treatment implications. The sad, strange case of Jeffrey Dahmer highlights a number of issues concerning personality, identity, impulse control, paraphilia, and impaired social interaction and functioning.…show more content…
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