Introduction
SPD is marked by a tendency by the affected individual to favor a lifestyle that is fairly solitary as well as secretive. It is classified as a personality disorder though it is different from schizophrenia. Individuals with this disorder are usually cold as well as indifferent and in most cases appear to be aloof.
The life events of Ted: an overview
Theordore Kaczynsci did not live a normal life, at least as he was growing up. He had all the symptoms of SPD given his interpersonal dysfunction, flattened affectivity as well as tendencies that could be seen as highly antisocial. This is the same behavior he exhibited when he started carrying out targeted spree of attacks. His last attack was on April 24th, 1995, 17 years after he had launched his first attack. His first attack, 17 years earlier had been at the Northwestern University in May 25th 1978 where he used a package to carry out the atrocity. Airlines and universities were his preferred places of attack.
Ted’s antisocial tendencies seem to have been ingrained earlier on as he was growing up as his mother preferred him engaging in activities which were basically isolated in social terms. This was perhaps the reason why he preferred in most cases to play all by himself during his primary as well as secondary days and most of his colleagues in his school days do not have memories of him whatsoever. This is an indicator that he preferred a solitary lifestyle devoid of any kind of interaction. Despite his indifferent personality, Ted went on to receive his PhD and later lectured at the University of Chicago before later quitting abruptly after which it is reported he retreated to Montana and settled in a cabin which was largely secluded.
From the text recounting about the life events of Ted, it is important to note that all the while during his childhood as well as adult life; the Unabomber exhibited all the symptoms of schizoid personality disorder (SPD). However, it is important to note that an overview of the case study is critical for a complete analysis as well as diagnosis of schizoid personality disorder and Ted’s life events. For the same purpose, the disorder’s precursors including its biological, social as well as psychological indicators must be analyzed in addition to the behavioral-cognitive perspective application upon a strategy involving a clinical intervention.
Case study overview
According to Hesses et al. (2009), we have less than 1% cases of reported SPD cases in America. However, some SPD prevalence of 3.1% which is considered relatively high has been reported by some studies across some communities. As far as the diagnosis of SPD is concerned, it is important to note that Ted had deep problems as far as expressing his emotional feelings was concerned as well as his antisocial tendencies. However, as opposed from an individual suffering from agoraphobia, Ted accepted his behavior and thus his behavior can largely be said to be ego-syntonic. Another evident characteristic of Ted was his aloofness as well as shyness. As a lecturer in the University of Chicago, he constantly avoided questions fielded by his students. For the Unabomber therefore, the introversion concept is more accurate than not.
Individuals suffering from SPD are usually still aware of reality though they do have a tendency to constantly fantasize and lack effective communication skills especially when it comes to the expression of their emotions. In regard to Ted, there was no single recorded instance of his confronting an individual in a way that could be said to be threatening. For instance, way before he started his bombing spree, he drafted a letter and sent it to Mr. Joe Visocan, his former employer demanding that he (Mr. Visocan) mail his paycheck or else he would pour the beans about the various illicit activities Mr. Visocan engaged in the course of doing business. It is important to note that though Ted appears to be aggressive and threatening in his letter to Mr. Visocan, it was only on paper and not in reality. Similarly, he did not go to the length of confronting Mr. Visocan in person.
The disorder’s precursors
From the readings and events recounted in his text, it is clear that Theodore’s criminal activities seem to have consistent failed relationships (interpersonal) as well as social isolation pattern. Carwile et al (2002) even notes that Ted went ahead to blame his antisocial tendencies on his mother for she allegedly encouraged him to lead a life that was largely recluse. True to his assertion, Ted’s mother encouraged Ted as he was growing up to engage in activated that were largely solitary and further, Meyer et al. (2009) notes that Ted at some stage during his education had to put up with older classmates after he skipped two grades. He also lacked the prerequisite attention he needed after his brother was born when he was aged just seven years.Psychologically, Meyer et al. (2009) notes that Ted was so much interested with The secret Agent by Joseph Conrad which he read many times. To demonstrate the influence of the book on Ted, after one of his bombings he wrote a letter and included the name Conrad in the same.In totality, it is important to note that all the factors discussed herein including an early introversion lifestyle and a biological predisposition had a role to play as far as Ted’s result to violence is concerned.
Behavior-Cognitive Perspective
According to DSM-IV-TR, SPD is informed by criticism as well as praise indifference, absence of close friends and activities considered solitary (Behave Net clinical capsule, 1996-2010, n.p.).According to Meyer et al. (2009) an individual suffering from SPD could exhibit some statements which can be considered cognitive. These could be echoes of an individual’s thoughts and such people can blurt our statements that seem to indicate they can survive alone without depending on other people. Plante (2005) is of the pinion that there is great need for attributes on behavior, appraisals as well as beliefs as far as the cognitive perspective of human psychology is concerned.To address the thought process that is maladaptive and which is in most cases the genesis of behavioral disorders, Ellis points towards an effective technique, that is, the rational-emotive therapy (RET). The utilization of an environment that is therapeutic increases the chances of the practitioner to conclusively deal with the dysfunction’s root cause or problem.
Conclusion
The effective treatment of SED must be focused on addressing the cognitive mechanism that can be said to inform behavioral issues. In the recent past, physiological dysfunction has been primarily addressed by the use of drug therapy. Experts however continue to insist on the incorporation of the underlying cognitive dysfunction medications into SPD’s treatment. They see this as an effective way of decisively addressing the wide range of factors informing schizoid behavior.
References
BehaveNet clinical capsule. (1996-2010) APA diagnostic classification: DSM-IV TR. Retrieved February 23, 2010, from http://www.behavenet.com/capsules/disorders/dsm4TRclassification.htm
Carwile, S., Huber, R.J., Leeper, A.M. (2002). An adlerian analysis of the Unabomber. Journal of Individual Psychology, 58(2), 169. Retrieved September 1, 2010, from Academic Search Complete database
Hesses, M., Thylstrup, B. (2009). “I am not complaining”—Ambivalence construction in schizoid personality disorder. American Journal of Psychotherapy, 63(2), 147-167. Retrieved September 1, 2010, from MasterFILE Premier Database
Meyer, R. G., Chapman, L. K., & Weaver, C. M. (2009). Case studies in abnormal behavior (8thed.). Boston: Pearson/Allyn & Bacon
Plante, T. G. (2005). Contemporary clinical psychology (2nd Ed.). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley
