Are ALL Mass Killers Mentally Ill?

As of this date in 2013, there have been 17 events classified as “mass murder” in the United States by the FBI. According to several articles I have read, approximately 88% of mass murderers had a history of mental illness or suffered from untreated mental illness.  Family members and friends reported odd behavior after these events occurred. 

The vast majority of mass murders are single white males in their 20’s or 30’s.  Many were reported to have been diagnosed with or suspected of having Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD).  Some consider ASPD a mental illness while others believe it is a personality disorder.  It seems (from various articles I have read) that mental illness is treatable; personality disorders are not.   I have no background in the field, so cannot form an opinion on the subject. 

“Dr. Maurice Godwin has studied serial killers for years and one in-depth analysis of 107 of them revealed important information. Godwin found 55 percent of serial killers began having trouble in childhood and had criminal juvenile records. 45 percent had been convicted for a previous sex crime. 

As with so many criminals it goes back to their early formative years and the best lesson we can learn is that when we find a troubled child we best help them. Failure to do so could result in another serial killer walking among us.”  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/diane-dimond/orange-county-serial-killer_b_1222710.html?utm_hp_ref=serial-killers#comments 

It seems that every couple months, there is another mass shooting in the United States, and the news reported afterward nearly always states that the shooter was mentally ill. 

We are living in frightening times.  In this article, I am not addressing whether ease of access to guns is part of the picture.  

I have a question that comes to my mind after each shooting.  Because so many of the shooters’ acquaintances state that they knew the guy was a disturbed man, what should we – friends, neighbors, co-workers, etc. do if we believe someone is mentally ill?  If he has not hurt himself or others, but he is very odd (claims to hear voices in his head, has temper outbursts, plays video games for hours on end or exhibits other strange  behaviors, what can we or should we do. 

If I report it to the police, what would I report?  My neighbor is weird?  If he has not done anything criminal, law enforcement agencies would have their hands tied.  One day he may “flip out” and kill people, but unless that happens, what can the police do?

If the person is a close friend or family member, of course we would try to get them help. This is a serious question.  If he is simply someone with whom you are acquainted, what should we do?  I truly want to know. 

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