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Jerry Sandusky 'Personality Disorder' Is No Excuse for His Alleged Crimes (VIDEOS)

by Jacqueline Burt on June 18, 2012 at 12:39 PM

jerry sanduskyApparently Jerry Sandusky's defense attorneys have gotten approval to use those revolting "love letters" the former assistant coach allegedly wrote to one of his victims as evidence of "histrionic personality disorder." Well, I guess pleading insanity is nothing new. But is someone with histrionic personality disorder technically insane? Does Sandusky really have it? And hey, since we're asking questions, what exactly IS histrionic personality disorder?

Well, according to the National Library of Medicine, histrionic personality disorder is a condition in which people act in a very emotional and dramatic way that draws attention to themselves. Causes are unknown, but the disorder typically develops in early adulthood. Okay, plausible so far. Now let's see if the following list of symptoms describes Jerry Sandusky:

Acting or looking overly seductive

Being easily influenced by other people

Being overly concerned with their looks

Being overly dramatic and emotional

Being overly sensitive to criticism or disapproval

Believing that relationships are more intimate than they actually are

Blaming failure or disappointment on others

Constantly seeking reassurance or approval

Having a low tolerance for frustration or delayed gratification

Needing to be the center of attention 

Quickly changing emotions, which may seem shallow to others

Hmmm. That list of symptoms definitely describes Blanche DuBois in A Streetcar Named Desire, but Jerry Sandusky? I don't know the man personally, but considering "pedophilia" isn't on that list (or even "inappropriate sexual behavior"), I'm having a hard time making the connection between the ex-coach and histrionic personality disorder. Which, by the way, might not be a terribly strong defense even if Sandusky was diagnosed: When the next revision of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders is released, the condition might not even be recognized as an actual mental disorder. 

Check out the videos below to learn more about histrionic personality disorder and the Jerry Sandusky defense and see what you think ...

Is histrionic personality disorder a valid defense for Jerry Sandusky?
 

Filed Under: mental health

Comments

8
  • expat...
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    expatalfa

    June 18, 2012 at 12:46 PM

    Mr Sandusky is an arrogant, self-serving, disgusting individual. His attorneys are a disgrace to their profession and let's not even touch on the complete lack of respect and compassion they are collectively showing to the victims. I hope this insulting attempt at excusing his crimes serves only to harden the judge and jury even more. 


  • Sinat...
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    SinatrasKitten

    June 18, 2012 at 12:49 PM

    I hope this guy rots in hell!  I can't believe they are using an excuse to get him off! Shame on them!! 


  • brand...
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    brandspanknnew

    June 18, 2012 at 1:49 PM

    Amendola is supposed to be the most revered and respected and highly effective attorney in Pennsylvania. He should not have been appointed or chosen to work on this trial, his credibility and respect are about to go to sh**. This will not be a win for him, no matter how much they are paying him. If he is a good enough attorney to get this guy off the hook, then by gosh he's a freaking miracle worker not an attorney. Sandusky deserves what those inmates are going to give to him once he is convicted, and from what I hear, even if he is going to be in protective custody in prison the transfer place he must go to first is a real doozie.


  • count...
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    countrygirl670

    June 18, 2012 at 10:54 PM

    So?  Personality disorder is just a clinical way of saying "a**hole'.  But insurance won't reimburse for treatment of "a**hole", not least because you can't cure a**hole, So you gotta fancy it up into a legitimate sounding diagnosis.  Not all a**holes are criminals, but all criminals are a**holes.  But like most a**holes, Sandusky didn't get any sort of "diagnosis" until he was in trouble/suffering.  Why?  Because up until recently, he was perfectly happy, I'm sure.  Its just everyone around him who was being made miserable.   His poor lawyers!  Its hard to defend the indefensible....


  • DebaLa
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    DebaLa

    June 18, 2012 at 11:47 PM

    You said it all, countrygirl670!


  • Hopeykat
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    Hopeykat

    June 19, 2012 at 1:14 AM
    It is a sad commentary when a most heinous of crimes-the continued sexual assault of boys under your care is excused, pardoned and forgiven due to a real or feigned disease of the mind. Only medical evidence, and a determination by the trial judge, will reveal if this is a defense that will be sent to the jury. My deepest of fears- the defense team will pull "an OJ". They will get inside that slip stream of existing upper court (and yes, Supreme Court) judgments on insanity and personality disorders [moral versus legal wrongs, responsible versus dissociative states, disease of the mind versus sane] and force an outcome in Mr. Sandusky's favor. We should be afraid, be very afraid.
  • cindi...
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    cindiblazina83

    June 19, 2012 at 10:38 PM
    Hopeykat it's already been presented to the jury. He's having his jury trial now. With that said I hope they fry his a$$. I know that they don't in pa anymore (live in pa in the town where a few of the victims are from) but he needs to be put away never to be around children again. Even though jail is too good for him. Hopefully, and God forgive me, the other convicts would take care of him for us.
  • sunan...
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    sunangel803

    June 19, 2012 at 11:35 PM
    Histrionic Personality Disorder does NOT explain, nor excuse his actions. He may have traits of the disorder, but you have to meet certain criteria to obtain that diagnosis. Most everybody has TRAITS of some personality disorder or mental illness, but that doesn't mean everybody would meet a particular diagnosis. I haven't followed the trial very closely...who did the diagnosing here?
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