Cultic Studies Review, Vol. 5, No. 6, 2006, Page 33
Most cult leaders are not described in retrospective accounts as suffering from either
schizophrenia or from manic episodes. (Note: Joseph Smith is alleged to possibly have
suffered from bipolar disorder during later years, according to some literature.)
Reported eyewitness narratives by ex-cult members seem to suggest that some cult
Leaders meet DSM-IV ASPD criterion (2), ―deceitfulness...,‖ criterion (6), ―...failure to ...
honor financial obligations...,‖ and criterion (7), ―lack of remorse...,‖, which provide
evidence for a diagnosis of ASPD. A minimum of three criteria of ASPD must be present
before a full ASPD diagnosis can be considered. The only criterion not present (because of
lack of evidence pro or con) is ―...evidence of Conduct Disorder with onset before 15 years.‖
The following additional DSM-IV comment (1994, p. 649) is apropos: ―Individuals with
Antisocial Personality Disorder and Narcissistic Personality Disorder share a tendency to be
tough-minded, glib, superficial, exploitative, and unempathic.‖ This very interesting
comment highlights an earlier statement that, in some cases, an initial diagnosis of ASPD
should also have a diagnosis of NPD added to fully describe the personality structure of the
cult leader. However, a cautionary note must also be added: ―Only when antisocial
personality traits are inflexible, maladaptive, and persistent and cause significant functional
impairment or subjective distress do they constitute Antisocial Personality Disorder‖ (DSM-
IV, p. 649).
Most cult leaders do not appear to be particularly troubled by the results of their lifestyles
and actions on the lives of others. However, even though cult leaders give an appearance of
little or no concern about the results of their actions, some, such as Charles Manson, still
end up being incarcerated or are publicly exposed by the press, as in the case of Jonathan
Berg of the Children of God.
The author has participated in the diagnosis of ASPD in forensic settings where the
diagnosis was given based on a review of an individual‘s extended history of criminal and
antisocial acts. The author‘s diagnostic practice in a forensic settings has lead to the
consideration of evidence leading to a prospective diagnosis of ASPD for some cult leaders,
especially when the history of the cult leader is based on verified accounts of antisocial and
criminal behaviors reported and confirmed by ex-cult members.
In summary, it is proposed that the egregious, unethical, and sometimes illegal and criminal
behaviors of cult leaders are best classified among the common criminal behaviors normally
observed in criminal offenders who also carry a DSM-IV diagnosis of ASPD. And,
additionally, that the privileges and honors normally extended to persons who hold positions
of authority within religious groups should not be extended to those cult leaders who
exploit, dominate, or abuse their followers.
A second issue to be considered is the effect of the antisocial cult leader on the cult
member.
Emergence of Dependent Personality Disorder (DPD) in Cult Members
As introduction, the effect of traumatic experiences within cults on the subsequent
development of symptoms of dependent personality disorder (DPD) among cult members
might possibly be compared to a similar elevated onset of DPD observed among psychiatric
inpatients (diagnosed with DPD at five times the rate of psychiatric outpatients).
The apathy, helplessness, withdrawal and disorientation that research has
shown to be so widespread among [hospital] residents has been linked to the
nature of institutional regimes … as residents grow more inured to residential
life, so they become more dependent on the routine imposed on their life.
(Booth, 1986, p. 418, as cited by Bornstein, 1993, p. 129)
Most cult leaders are not described in retrospective accounts as suffering from either
schizophrenia or from manic episodes. (Note: Joseph Smith is alleged to possibly have
suffered from bipolar disorder during later years, according to some literature.)
Reported eyewitness narratives by ex-cult members seem to suggest that some cult
Leaders meet DSM-IV ASPD criterion (2), ―deceitfulness...,‖ criterion (6), ―...failure to ...
honor financial obligations...,‖ and criterion (7), ―lack of remorse...,‖, which provide
evidence for a diagnosis of ASPD. A minimum of three criteria of ASPD must be present
before a full ASPD diagnosis can be considered. The only criterion not present (because of
lack of evidence pro or con) is ―...evidence of Conduct Disorder with onset before 15 years.‖
The following additional DSM-IV comment (1994, p. 649) is apropos: ―Individuals with
Antisocial Personality Disorder and Narcissistic Personality Disorder share a tendency to be
tough-minded, glib, superficial, exploitative, and unempathic.‖ This very interesting
comment highlights an earlier statement that, in some cases, an initial diagnosis of ASPD
should also have a diagnosis of NPD added to fully describe the personality structure of the
cult leader. However, a cautionary note must also be added: ―Only when antisocial
personality traits are inflexible, maladaptive, and persistent and cause significant functional
impairment or subjective distress do they constitute Antisocial Personality Disorder‖ (DSM-
IV, p. 649).
Most cult leaders do not appear to be particularly troubled by the results of their lifestyles
and actions on the lives of others. However, even though cult leaders give an appearance of
little or no concern about the results of their actions, some, such as Charles Manson, still
end up being incarcerated or are publicly exposed by the press, as in the case of Jonathan
Berg of the Children of God.
The author has participated in the diagnosis of ASPD in forensic settings where the
diagnosis was given based on a review of an individual‘s extended history of criminal and
antisocial acts. The author‘s diagnostic practice in a forensic settings has lead to the
consideration of evidence leading to a prospective diagnosis of ASPD for some cult leaders,
especially when the history of the cult leader is based on verified accounts of antisocial and
criminal behaviors reported and confirmed by ex-cult members.
In summary, it is proposed that the egregious, unethical, and sometimes illegal and criminal
behaviors of cult leaders are best classified among the common criminal behaviors normally
observed in criminal offenders who also carry a DSM-IV diagnosis of ASPD. And,
additionally, that the privileges and honors normally extended to persons who hold positions
of authority within religious groups should not be extended to those cult leaders who
exploit, dominate, or abuse their followers.
A second issue to be considered is the effect of the antisocial cult leader on the cult
member.
Emergence of Dependent Personality Disorder (DPD) in Cult Members
As introduction, the effect of traumatic experiences within cults on the subsequent
development of symptoms of dependent personality disorder (DPD) among cult members
might possibly be compared to a similar elevated onset of DPD observed among psychiatric
inpatients (diagnosed with DPD at five times the rate of psychiatric outpatients).
The apathy, helplessness, withdrawal and disorientation that research has
shown to be so widespread among [hospital] residents has been linked to the
nature of institutional regimes … as residents grow more inured to residential
life, so they become more dependent on the routine imposed on their life.
(Booth, 1986, p. 418, as cited by Bornstein, 1993, p. 129)
