Killer State of Mind
Research shows that, “One in four American adults are affected by a mental disorder each year, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness” (“NAMI”). Mental disorders, or more commonly known as mental illnesses, can affect all the humane aspects of a person. It alters one’s decision making, feelings, thoughts, actions, as well as how they relate to others, and interpret the world around them (“Mental Disorders”). More specifically, schizophrenia, a certain mental illness, can cause one to “lose touch with reality. It is marked by severely impaired reasoning and emotional instability and can cause violent behavior”(Schizophrenia). Schizophrenia is also linked with an increase in substance abuse and violence, as can be seen with Perry Smith, the main character from Truman Capote’s nonfiction novel In Cold Blood. Although some may argue that Smith was aware of his behaviors when murdering the Clutter family, his diagnosis of schizophrenia and lack of proper treatment throughout his life should have affected the extent of his punishment.
Schizophrenia is a psychotic disorder that is most commonly associated with impaired …show more content…
In 1952, Smith was in a devastating motorcycle wreck that left him with his legs broken in five places and relentlessly scarred. They were still causing him pain even after one year in the hospital and six additional months with crutches. The accident was so horrid that, “his chunky, dwarfish legs… still pained him so severely that he had become an aspirin addict” (Capote 31). According to the statistics in the previous paragraph, with his mental situation and addiction problems, not to mention his past associated with abuse, he is at an increased risk of violent outbreaks. As expected, during his life he was very violent causing countless run-ins with the law and jail visits, but most importantly the Clutter family
Research shows that, “One in four American adults are affected by a mental disorder each year, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness” (“NAMI”). Mental disorders, or more commonly known as mental illnesses, can affect all the humane aspects of a person. It alters one’s decision making, feelings, thoughts, actions, as well as how they relate to others, and interpret the world around them (“Mental Disorders”). More specifically, schizophrenia, a certain mental illness, can cause one to “lose touch with reality. It is marked by severely impaired reasoning and emotional instability and can cause violent behavior”(Schizophrenia). Schizophrenia is also linked with an increase in substance abuse and violence, as can be seen with Perry Smith, the main character from Truman Capote’s nonfiction novel In Cold Blood. Although some may argue that Smith was aware of his behaviors when murdering the Clutter family, his diagnosis of schizophrenia and lack of proper treatment throughout his life should have affected the extent of his punishment.
Schizophrenia is a psychotic disorder that is most commonly associated with impaired …show more content…
In 1952, Smith was in a devastating motorcycle wreck that left him with his legs broken in five places and relentlessly scarred. They were still causing him pain even after one year in the hospital and six additional months with crutches. The accident was so horrid that, “his chunky, dwarfish legs… still pained him so severely that he had become an aspirin addict” (Capote 31). According to the statistics in the previous paragraph, with his mental situation and addiction problems, not to mention his past associated with abuse, he is at an increased risk of violent outbreaks. As expected, during his life he was very violent causing countless run-ins with the law and jail visits, but most importantly the Clutter family