Does Joran Van Der Sloot Suffer from Antisocial Personality Disorder?

Joran van der Sloot is in the news once again and is wanted for questioning in connection with the death of a 21-year-old woman in Peru. Many people will remember the 2005 case involving the disappearance of Natalee Holloway in Aruba and Joran van der Sloot's connection with the case. Authorities in Aruba detained and repeatedly questioned Joran van der Sloot about Holloway's disappearance, but never formally charged him with a crime. Now Joran van der Sloot is wanted for questioning in connection with the murder of 21-year-old Stephany Flores Ramirez in Lima. Stephany Flores Ramirez was last seen alive by a hotel employee as she entered a room accompanied by Joran van der Sloot.

Unlike the Natalee Holloway disappearance in Aruba, there is a body and evidence accompanying the murder in Peru. It is currently believed that Joran van der Sloot has fled Peru and is currently somewhere in Chile.

Joran van der Sloot had many different versions of what happened to Natalie Holloway and was even recorded on videotape confessing to disposing of her body in the ocean. Authorities in Aruba were never able to confirm van der Sloot's account of what happened and he has remained free in spite of his alleged involvement with the case.

Does Joran van der Sloot suffer from Antisocial Personality Disorder?

It's always tragic when anyone is murdered and it's even more disturbing when someone appears to get away with murder and has the opportunity to do it again. It's likely that Joran van der Sloot suffers from a psychological disorder. Is it possible that he has Antisocial Personality Disorder? The American Psychiatric Association describes Antisocial Personality Disorder as follows:

"Individuals who match this personality disorder type are arrogant and self-centered, and feel privileged and entitled. They have a grandiose, exaggerated sense of self-importance and they are primarily motivated by self-serving goals. They seek power over others and will manipulate, exploit, deceive, con, or otherwise take advantage of others, in order to inflict harm or to achieve their goals. They are callous and have little empathy for others' needs or feelings unless they coincide with their own."1

While this sounds like a pretty good match for Joran van der Sloot, it's unclear if he meets all of the diagnostic criteria for this disorder. In the past, these individuals have been referred to as sociopaths or psychopaths-some of society's most dangerous individuals. Regardless of what psychological disorder Joran van der Sloot actually suffers from, it's likely the world will be a safer place once he is taken into custody.

Sources:
¹ -American Psychiatric Association
PsychCentral
CNN
Internet Mental Health