tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001825743960552008.post4157489704762522097..comments2024-03-27T18:06:04.484-04:00Comments on Murder by 4: Are You Getting the Psychology Right in Your Fiction?Marta Stephenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14126647102399666578noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001825743960552008.post-75882588416725989272010-12-11T22:05:01.505-05:002010-12-11T22:05:01.505-05:00Wow, Aaron, it sounds like you and your wife reall...Wow, Aaron, it sounds like you and your wife really had a lot of trials to deal with. I've heard other people struggle with the same thing, and I am hopeful that clinicians have gotten better at diagnosing as we've learned more about the biological aspects of disorders. That having been said, I confess I'm a little anxious about the DSM-5 coming out -- there's some disturbing evidence that big pharma may be behind many of the changes, and that's definitely not who should be driving diagnosis.<br /><br />I also agree that bipolar disorder is so often misrepresented in the media, and therefore misunderstood. Mood disorders are an area of particular interest to me, and I enjoyed the opportunity to set the record straight on that -- as well as many other misconceptions -- in The Writer's Guide to Psychology.<br /><br />Joylene -- thanks so much for your comment. I'm so pleased to hear that my book originally came to your attention by word of mouth. I hope you'll find it helpful in your writing, and that you'll have the chance to pass on the recommendation! :)Carolyn Kaufman | @CMKaufmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07715666518147779502noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001825743960552008.post-18588816130189633492010-12-11T10:10:44.573-05:002010-12-11T10:10:44.573-05:00Great post, Carolyn. What's so strange is some...Great post, Carolyn. What's so strange is someone this very morning recommended your book. I don't believe in coincidence, so I'm definitely checking it out. I've got one protagonist, a criminal investigator, who's recently a widower. Although I've spent several years getting to know him, a little help would be great. My other protagonist is actually easier to write; she's a battered woman who is criminally insane. My book is about their growing relationship. Sounds like I could use your book, Carolyn. Thanks, Marta!Joylene Nowell Butlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04497637513532136615noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001825743960552008.post-63837263548481742982010-12-11T07:44:05.806-05:002010-12-11T07:44:05.806-05:00Very interesting conversation above, ladies. I lov...Very interesting conversation above, ladies. I love this topic, as well, and enjoyed hearing Carolyn's descriptions. <br /><br />When my wife was being incorrectly diagnosed (for over two decades) with every psychological disorder known to man (Well, it seemed that way...), we did lots of research and knew the diagnoses didn't fit. Her problem ended up being in the brain, indeed, but a different kind of organic problem - multiple sclerosis. Depending on where those brain lesions end up, on which bundle of nerves or which part of the brain, it can mimic lots of other disorders. Until the physical data comes in later that finally provides the proof (MRIs, for example). I also have a daughter with bipolar who is NOTHING like the bipolar folks you hear about in Hollywood or on the news. She's quite sweet and loving, would never harm a mouse, but suffers greatly from excessive emotions and mood swings. It's hard when you see Hollywood's villains being portrayed so inaccurately, and it encourages prejudice, too. <br /><br />Carolyn, thank you for joining us today. Great article!Aaron Paul Lazarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06117814221437165664noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001825743960552008.post-37160355228281453672010-12-10T22:27:13.279-05:002010-12-10T22:27:13.279-05:00Actually, psychopathy refers to psychopathic behav...Actually, psychopathy refers to psychopathic behavior. I think you're thinking of "psychopathology" when you say "any mental illness."<br /><br />Sociopaths, according to leading researchers like Robert Hare, are people who have typically acquired the behaviors, where as psychopathy itself is thought to have at least some biological etiology.Carolyn Kaufman | @CMKaufmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07715666518147779502noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001825743960552008.post-73035258550988717612010-12-10T21:36:19.024-05:002010-12-10T21:36:19.024-05:00Careful about that 'Y'! Psychopathy is ANY...Careful about that 'Y'! Psychopathy is ANY mental illness, where a psychopath is a type of antisocial personality disorder that is INDEED a scary villain (though hard to identify with--they lack the ability to understand normal human emotion, so they are more often 'straight evil' as opposed to a villain we can identify with a bit. I did a post this week on villains and looked at psychopaths and sociopaths (sociopaths being less able to hide it, but very similar otherwise). <br /><br />And then there is what we THINK OF as crazy (hearing voices, seeing things)--psychotic symptoms. <br /><br />Sorry... I LOVE this topic and so managed to run off at the finger-tips. I feel like it's my primary writing advantage--a psych background...Hart Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17599570189253229318noreply@blogger.com