Let's Go Psycho

[DISCLAIMER]

In a blogpost entitled Hulk, I stated, “Although I was nicknamed ‘2-Nice’ by my gang-related friends, a member of another gang set once stated to me something like, ‘You’re fucking crazier than any of us! I’m gonna call you ‘Suicide-Psycho,’ ‘cause you’re fucking crazy, ese!”

In high school, neither my Sureño friend nor I knew what “psycho” actually meant. In common parlance, this term merely suggests a mentally unstable person, as this isn’t a useful definition. According to the American Psychological Association, psychopathy is thusly defined:

[A] former name for an individual with antisocial personality disorder [ASPD]—the presence of a chronic and pervasive disposition to disregard and violate the rights of others. Manifestations include repeated violations of the law, exploitation of others, deceitfulness, impulsivity, aggressiveness, reckless disregard for the safety of self and others, and irresponsibility, accompanied by lack of guilt, remorse, and empathy.

The disorder has been known by various names, including dyssocial personality, psychopathic personality, and sociopathic personality. It is among the most heavily researched of the personality disorders and the most difficult to treat. It is included in DSM–IV–TR, DSM–5, and DSM-5-TR.

Colloquially, a “psycho” is a person who’s crazy (usually offensive term meaning not mentally sound, marked by thought or action that lacks reason). However, many people with ASPD exhibit behavior which they perceive as rational (in accordance with both logic and reason).

Here, “logic” is the interrelation or sequence of facts or events when seen as inevitable or predictable, and “reason” is a statement offered in explanation or justification. For instance, a modus ponens syllogism uses the following logical form: If p, then q; p; therefore, q.

If you perceivably harm me (p), then I’m obliged to harm you in return (q). You perceivably harm me (p). Therefore, I’m obliged to harm you in return (q).

Although this moral and ethical proposition follows logical form, some argue that this sort of moral absolutism isn’t reasonable. They consider this syllogistic belief as that relating to irrationality. Still, there’s little doubt that other people on the planet disagree with this outlook.

Noteworthy, one’s worldview is subjective (characteristic of or belonging to reality as perceived rather than as independent of mind). Thus, not everyone agrees with what everybody else deems as rational or not. No matter how you may’ve been misled, not everyone is equal in our outlook.

Furthermore, a rational view for one person may not be considered rational by members of a group. Therefore, even people who don’t have an ASPD diagnosis may use irrational beliefs which seem “psycho,” as I invite you to consider a hypothetical syllogism that uses the following form: If p, then q; if q, then r; therefore, if p, then r.

If country X perceivably harms nation Y (p), then nation Y is obliged to harm country X in return (q). If nation Y is obliged to harm country X in return (q), then both civilians and military personnel in country X may be targeted (r). Therefore, if country X perceivably harms nation Y (p), then both civilians and military personnel in country X may be targeted (r).

This belief is currently driving actions between Russia and Ukraine. Also, it’s being used regarding the United States (U.S.) and Israel against Palestinians, Lebanese, Iranians, and others in the Middle East. Some may consider this belief to be “psycho,” though others may disagree.

Because this oft-misunderstood topic frequently manifests in social conversations, especially online, I’ve previously written posts entitled Psychopathy and Psychopathy and Sociopathy: We Are All Fallible Beings to assist with knowledge, wisdom, and understanding about this matter.

Many people remain confused about what is or isn’t ASPD, desperately clinging to archaic terms such as “psychopath.” For example, I recently read a Daily Mail article titled: “Psychopaths don't EXIST – and Ted Bundy was simply misunderstood, scientist claims”, that stated:

Murderous psychopaths might make great movie villains, but research now suggests that these emotionless killers simply don’t exist in real life.

The classic view of a psychopath is someone who lacks the normal range of empathy and depth of emotion and exhibits callous, manipulative behaviour.

You might be certain that you have an ex, boss, neighbour, or relative who seems to match these traits exactly.

But according to Dr Rasmus Larensis, a forensic scientist from the University of Toronto Mississauga in Canada, psychopathy might not exist at all. […]

In a recent study, Dr Larensis and his co–authors conducted a systematic review of empathy research, covering 66 papers in which 5,711 people were assessed using the Hare Psychopathy Checklist.

If psychopathy were real, these studies should show that people who score highly for the [missing text] They discovered that there were ‘overwhelming null findings’ for over 89 per cent of all the tests.

In high–quality studies that used more rigorous methods, the number of papers showing ‘null findings’ increased to a staggering 94.77 per cent.

Essentially, statistical analyses cannot tell the difference in performance between psychopathic and non–psychopathic persons.

Likewise, other studies have consistently found no evidence to support other common claims about psychopaths. […]

Psychopathy offers such a simple and compelling explanation for the cruel behaviour we see around us that it has proven tricky to dislodge from the public consciousness and scientific institutions.

[Larensis] says: ‘What unquestionably exists are people who engage in serious violence, manipulation, deception, and exploitation.

The real question is whether these individuals belong to a distinct psychological category called ‘psychopathy’ and have deep–seated psychological deficiencies. On that question, I remain highly skeptical.’

In strictest scientific terms, there isn’t such a person as a “psycho.” As well, “psychopathy” is a vague inference for ASPD. Still, the comment section of that Daily Mail article was predictable, as many people abandoned rigor and went straight to moralistic terms such as “evil.”

Foolish beliefs are often stubbornly held by their believers. And because I maintain that bad ideas deserve to be mocked, let’s go psycho herein. Perhaps a relatively brief explanation about what I mean is in order.

When listening to an electronic dance music (EDM) DJ set by Aneya Rose, I heard her spin the song “Psycho” (2025) by Kasia, Charles D (USA), and Sarah de Warren, as lyrics say, “Let’s get down. Let’s get numb. Let’s go psycho!” As we’re in the realm of imagination, let’s go psycho!

Apparently, “psycho” can mean any- and everything one perceives as abnormal. Perhaps you’ve heard of people who, like me, don’t believe it’s possible to literally feel what another person feels (i.e., the experience of empathy). Fuck it, let’s go psycho!

Maybe you’ve been numb by beliefs when hearing accounts about how the U.S. and Israel have conducted military operations in the Middle East. Let’s go fucking psycho! Or maybe you experience self-upset regarding how the U.S. and Israel are behaving. Let’s go psycho, dammit!

There’s another option. You could put on a plastic smile while self-distressed or self-disturbed so that other people don’t think you’re “fucking crazy, ese,” as my Sureño friend told me. But then, wouldn’t that make you a psycho? Fuck it! Let’s go psycho, since we’re using fake-ass terms!

If you’re looking for a provider who tries to work to help you understand how thinking impacts physical, mental, emotional, and behavioral elements of your life, I invite you to reach out today by using the contact widget on my website.

As the world’s foremost EDM-influenced REBT psychotherapist—promoting content related to EDM, I’m pleased to try to help people with an assortment of issues from anger (hostility, rage, and aggression) to relational issues, adjustment matters, trauma experience, justice involvement, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety and depression, and other mood or personality-related matters. 

At Hollings Therapy, LLC, serving all of Texas, I aim to treat clients with dignity and respect while offering a multi-lensed approach to the practice of psychotherapy and life coaching. My mission includes: Prioritizing the cognitive and emotive needs of clients, an overall reduction in client suffering, and supporting sustainable growth for the clients I serve. Rather than simply trying to help you to feel better, I want to try to help you get better!

Deric Hollings, LPC, LCSW

Photo credit, Designed by Magnific, fair use

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