Does Jerry Sandusky and other alleged child predators show signs of dissocial personality disorder?

The trial of former Penn State Assistant Coach Jerry Sandusky brings the horrible issue of sexual predators to our doorstep and should make us pause to ask ourselves whether our children are safe with caregivers we trust. The answer is NO in some cases, and we must be just as vigilante in fighting child sexual abuse here as much as showing concern for the safety of children in war zones.

There are millions of  sexual predators in the U.S. Thousands are incarcerated, some are in mental institutions, and some are out there walking the streets or swimming with our children in summer camp. This is a fact in our country and a cause for alarm all around the world.

What should you do if you suspect that someone in contact with your child may be dangerous? Remove the child immediately from the environment, and contact your pediatrician and/or local authorities. You may be dealing with a person with an emotional problem that your limited Psychology 101 class didn't equip you to handle.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), millions of people suffer from dissocial personality disorders (DPD). People with this disorder are emotionally unstable, and people with this diagnosis should avoid any contact with children. PERIOD.

To find out who is registered as a sex offender in your state, search for your state's Sex Offender Registry and you will be able to view pictures, offenses, and other pertinent data on convicted offenders. Remember, however, some people with the symptoms of DPD are still out there looking for victims. 

The WHO's definition of DPD follows.

		Personality disorder characterized by disregard for social obligations, and callous unconcern for the feelings of others. There is gross disparity between behaviour and the prevailing social norms. Behaviour is not readily modifiable by adverse experience, including punishment. There is a low tolerance to frustration and a low threshold for discharge of aggression, including violence; there is a tendency to blame others, or to offer plausible rationalizations for the behaviour bringing the patient into conflict with society.
		Personality (disorder): · amoral · antisocial · asocial · psychopathic · sociopathic Original football graphic by C. John Chavis using GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.2 or any later version published by the Free Software Foundation. ©2012 Tomi Johnson. All rights reserved.