Child Abuse or Accidental Burn?
Child Abuse or Accident – Burns in Children Child abuse is a serious offense for everyone involved. A child is at risk of losing his parents and the parents are at risk of losing their child. A child trusts their parents even when the parents abuse them because the parents are the only caregivers they […]
Can Steroids Impact Criminal Behavior?
The Effect of Anabolic-Androgenic Steroids on Criminal Behavior As anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS) use has become a major problem in recent years, it is now considered to be a substance use disorder that affects tens of millions of people. Some of these people develop violent or criminal behaviors that are not consistent with their usual personality […]
Effect of Brain Damage on Personality
How can brain damage be used to create reasonable doubt? In 1990, a 40-year-old schoolteacher suddenly began using prostitutes and making inappropriate advances to his stepdaughter. The courts ordered him to go to Sexaholics Anonymous or go to prison. He failed the program because he kept asking people for sex. The hospital found a large […]
Cluster C: Avoidant and Obsessive Compulsive
Avoidant Personality Disorder The symptoms of avoidant personality disorder are similar to social phobia except that in the personality disorder the avoidance is present in all social situations. Social phobia symptoms are usually more specific such as speaking or eating in public. Attorneys need to be aware when communicating with individuals who have avoidant personality […]
Personality Disorders: Defining “Cluster C”
Cluster C is a subset of personality disorders that includes avoidant, dependent and obsessive compulsive personality disorders. These disorders are characterized by anxious and fearful thinking and behavior. The following is fictional example of how an individual with a cluster C personality disorder may require the services of a criminal attorney. Mary was the beloved […]
Cluster B: Borderline, Histrionic and Narcissistic
John from our case study is a fictional example of a client who has an antisocial personality disorder, demonstrating a pattern of disregard for the rights of others. He meets the criteria of having a conduct disorder with onset before age 15. An individual must also meet three of the following criteria to be diagnosed […]
Personality Disorders: Defining “Cluster B”
Cluster B personality traits are dramatic, emotional and attention seeking. They include: Antisocial Personality Disorder, Borderline Personality Disorder, Histrionic Personality Disorder and Narcissistic Personality Disorder. The following is an example of how an individual with a cluster B personality disorder may require the services of a criminal attorney. John is a 25 year old construction […]
Personality Disorders: Legal Implications
The legal nurse advised the attorney that the best way to communicate with John was to be calm and matter of fact. She told the attorney that a warm and friendly approach would be likely to cause suspicion. She also advised the attorney to avoid joking and whispering in his presence. An assessment was done […]
Personality Disorder: Case Study
The following is a fictional case study about a client who is arrested and has been diagnosed with a personality disorder. As you read the case, think about what the diagnosis might be and the most effective way for the attorney to communicate with this client. Next week we will discuss further. John is a 40 […]
Clusters of Personality Disorders
The American Psychiatric Association organizes personality disorders by clusters. Cluster A is a category that describes individuals who are withdrawn and may engage in odd or eccentric behavior. The diagnoses include: Paranoid Personality Disorder An individual with this disorder suspects that others are exploiting, harming or deceiving him or her. They often suspect without justification […]
