In order to perform basic psychoanalysis on Eric and Dylan, we may use the DSM–5 Self-Rated Level 1 Cross-Cutting Symptom Measure, Adult (Links to an external site.)
(APA, 2019) and the results prompt for signs of:
depression, anger, anxiety, suicidal ideation, somatic symptoms (less
than other symptoms), repetitive thoughts and behaviors. The answer is a
big "Yes" - both of them have psychiatric disorder. In defining if they
are psychotic or sociopath/psychopath, we can rely on the
research-based evidence that empathy was found to be absent in
psychopaths (Kiehl, & Buckholtz, 2010). Although they were both
talking about the intent to kill themselves as well as other people,
Dylan mentioned Love both as the source of his delusion ("no girl,
nobody accepts me") and as the last concern for his mom ("please know
that I will now be in a better place") in his memento video. Such
delusion together with other evidences such as prolonged depressive
episodes suggest Dylan to be schizoaffective rather than psychopath
(APA, 2013). While we do not have enough insight into
Eric's behavior as Eric's parents did not come out, the
descriptions that Eric wrote in his diary fit very well the pattern of a
psychopath - the one who has no feeling for other people and is
occupied with harmful destructive intents.
Regarding the community and the school system, there are evidences of broken communication. On one hand, we should understand that if there is no established protocol for sensitive situations, underpaid employees usually will not go above and beyond to work on the issue(s). On the other hand, as it is known that cultural factors may have profound pathogenic impacts (Alarcón, 2009)., the religious culture of the town may play a part in discouraging more direct conversations about the issues. For example, Dylan was not able to communicate his depressions with his mother; teachers were afraid to discuss the children murderous intents with parents, and maybe, police had too much faith in Dylan and his family to push the matters forward.
Even Dylan's mother was not able to detect early warning signs such as: depression periods, murderous intents written in both diary and school essay, the reason why he needs to buy a gun, the unusual emotional outbreaks ("mom, don't push me"), the isolate behaviors (sticking to computers), the illegal behavior (stealing computing hardwares) and so on. Besides the culture inspired stigma of discussing mental issue problems, the reasons for his mother's failure also include: her desire to maintain her son's privacy, parenting style that focuses on discipline much more than communication, and maybe, work-life imbalance.
Eric and Dylan does have a powerful relationship going back to their 7th grade. Eric appeared to be the leader with Dylan as a follower. It reflected in numerous video where Eric appeared to be fluid and masterful - much more than Dylan. These two enforce and amplify each other delusive belief about the people surrounding them. They indeed helped each other out in planning and executing the attack. Committing suicide together is the final proof on how strong their relationship was.
Regarding the community and the school system, there are evidences of broken communication. On one hand, we should understand that if there is no established protocol for sensitive situations, underpaid employees usually will not go above and beyond to work on the issue(s). On the other hand, as it is known that cultural factors may have profound pathogenic impacts (Alarcón, 2009)., the religious culture of the town may play a part in discouraging more direct conversations about the issues. For example, Dylan was not able to communicate his depressions with his mother; teachers were afraid to discuss the children murderous intents with parents, and maybe, police had too much faith in Dylan and his family to push the matters forward.
Even Dylan's mother was not able to detect early warning signs such as: depression periods, murderous intents written in both diary and school essay, the reason why he needs to buy a gun, the unusual emotional outbreaks ("mom, don't push me"), the isolate behaviors (sticking to computers), the illegal behavior (stealing computing hardwares) and so on. Besides the culture inspired stigma of discussing mental issue problems, the reasons for his mother's failure also include: her desire to maintain her son's privacy, parenting style that focuses on discipline much more than communication, and maybe, work-life imbalance.
Eric and Dylan does have a powerful relationship going back to their 7th grade. Eric appeared to be the leader with Dylan as a follower. It reflected in numerous video where Eric appeared to be fluid and masterful - much more than Dylan. These two enforce and amplify each other delusive belief about the people surrounding them. They indeed helped each other out in planning and executing the attack. Committing suicide together is the final proof on how strong their relationship was.
References:
APA. (2019). Online Assessment Measures. Retrieved October 29, 2019, from https://www.psychiatry.org/psychiatrists/practice/dsm/educational-resources/assessment-measures (Links to an external site.)
American Psychiatric Association. (2013).
Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.).
Washington, DC: Author.
Kiehl, K, Buckholtz, J. (2010). In the mind of the psychopath. Scientific American Mind.
Alarcón, R.D. (2009). Culture, cultural factors
and psychiatric diagnosis: review and projections. World Psychiatry, 8,
131 - 139.
