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Friday, December 9, 2016

Meeting dates for 2017 for Legal Clinic for Fathers United and Women's Legal Clinic

Dates for Fathers United and Womens Legal Clinic at Springfield VA at Messiah Methodist Church on Rolling Rd Metting start at 7pm in room 265 Jan 5,19 Feb 2,16 March 2,16,30 April 13,27 May 11,25 June 8,22 July 6,20 August 3,17,31 Sept. 14,28 Oct. 12,26 Nov. 2,16,30 Dec. 14,28

Tuesday, October 4, 2016

10 Warning signs of Bipolar Disorder

10 Warning Signs of Bipolar Disorder By Linda Wasmer Andrews, Special to LifescriptPublished October 04, 2016 We all have ups and downs. But the steep climbs (mania) and sudden plunges (depression) of bipolar disorder can lead to life-threatening situations.Shirley Rogerson, thought her husband of 40 years was simply prone to dark moods. At other times, he was the life of the party, telling jokes that had everyone in stitches. But as years passed, his behavior became frightening. “He threatened to kill himself and had hallucinations,” says Rogerson, an author and library information specialist. “Once, he saw visions of killing me and the dogs.” Her husband was eventually diagnosed with bipolar disorder. This serious mental illness affects about 6 million women and men in the U.S., according to the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA). And it can be harrowing and dangerous for people around them. In the manic phase, sufferers often don’t think anything's wrong. They’re hyper-energized and brimming with confidence. But they’re not as invincible as they feel. Eventually, people almost always make a big mistake, such as a foolish investment or an ill-advised affair. “When they realize what they’ve done, they can crash into really bad depression,” says psychiatrist Igor Galynker, MD, PhD, director of the Family Center for Bipolar Disorder at Beth Israel Medical Center, in New York City. What Is Bipolar Disorder? This complex mental condition comes in various forms. These are the most common: Bipolar I is the classic type, what used to be called manic depression. Patients typically alternate between full-blown mania and depression, which causes severe behavioral shifts. In some, those symptoms occur concurrently. Occasionally, the mania or depression is so severe that it becomes psychosis — a break with reality characterized by delusions or hallucinations. Bipolar II is the less extreme, more common version of the disorder. Depressive episodes alternate with hypomania, a milder version of mania. People with hypomania are sometimes highly productive and function well. “It can start out lovely,” says Cynthia Last, PhD, a clinical psychologist in Boca Raton, Fla., and author of When Someone You Love Is Bipolar (Guilford Press). But hypomania inevitably leads to depression. And if left untreated, symptoms may grow more extreme, evolving into bipolar I. Once diagnosed, bipolar disorder is often treatable with medications and psychotherapy. But warning signs of bipolar disorder are often confused with major depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), drug-induced highs or just plain moodiness. As a result, only one in four sufferers are accurately diagnosed in less than three years, according to DBSA figures. Recognizing the mania and depression signs of bipolar disorder is the first step to getting help. Here's what to look for: 6 Warning Signs of Mania 1. Unusually upbeat, outgoing or irritable mood During a manic phase, some people feel euphoric, others talk nonstop and some develop a hair-trigger temper. The key is that their mood is a radical departure from the norm.“A person who’s usually a reasonable individual may suddenly become impossible to live with,” Dr. Galynker explains. 2. Racing thoughts and speed-talking Besides speaking quickly and jumping between ideas, a person in a manic phase may also be easily distracted — one reason mania is sometimes mistaken for ADHD. “Unfortunately, the primary treatment for ADHD is stimulants, which can trigger severe symptoms in someone with bipolar disorder,” Last says. To avoid a misdiagnosis of ADHD, mental health professionals analyze how behavior has changed: Bipolar disorder is episodic, while adult ADHD usually continues from childhood. 3. Boundless energy The extremely energetic behavior common in the manic phase often leads to rushing around and taking on new projects, however ill-advised. If the sufferer is also easily distracted, he’ll jump to new tasks before completion, Dr. Galynker says. 4. Impulsive and self-destructive behavior Spending sprees, flagrant affairs or risky investments can all signal bipolar disorder if they’re out of character and part of a larger pattern of symptoms, Dr. Galynker says. 5. Decreased need for sleep Sleeping only a few hours a night could be a sign of bipolar disorder – as well as depression or anxiety. How do you know the difference? “People with insomnia typically feel very tired during the day,” says Elizabeth Brondolo, PhD, a psychology professor at St. John's University, in Queens, N.Y., and author of Break the Bipolar Cycle (McGraw-Hill Education). Someone in a manic episode may never feel exhausted. 6. Inflated sense of self-worth An exaggerated sense of your power, knowledge or importance is common in the manic stage, such as believing you have a special relationship with God. “It’s a feeling of being invincible and doing no wrong,” Dr. Galynker says. 4 Warning Signs of Depression 1. Sad, empty or hopeless mood Many people with bipolar disorder spend most of the time depressed, Brondolo says. This relentless dark mood prevents them from taking interest or pleasure in their lives. 2. Low energy and constant fatigue In contrast to supercharged energy during mania, this phase leaves a person feeling drained of energy and motivation. The smallest task – even getting out of bed – can seem impossible. “A depressed person isn’t able to move forward and do what's supposed to be done,” Brondolo says. As a result, performance at home, work or school often suffers. 3. Decreased ability to think clearly The same mind that races from idea to idea when manic may feel paralyzed during depression, making it hard for the sufferer to remember things and make decisions. “Depression can lead to serious disruptions in concentration and attention,” Brondolo says. 4. Suicidal thoughts and behavior Depression often leads to dwelling on past mistakes, including blunders made while manic. “When it gets really bad, you may feel cornered, as if all possible ways of escaping a situation are closed,” Dr. Galynker says. That’s when suicidal thoughts can take hold. And without treatment, the risk of acting on them is high. Up to 20% of people with bipolar disorder take their lives. Getting Help If you recognize several warning signs of bipolar disorder in yourself or a loved one, seek help. Contact a psychiatrist or other mental health professional, or get a referral from your primary care physician. Several treatments are available: Medications These play a primary role in managing bipolar disorder. Options include: Mood-stabilizing drugs. Usually the first choice, these include lithium, the oldest mood stabilizer, and anticonvulsants, a group of drugs originally developed to treat seizures. Antipsychotics. These drugs are prescribed when lithium or anticonvulsants don’t work, or if the patient has symptoms of psychosis. Antidepressants. Often combined with a mood stabilizer or antipsychotic, “there's controversy over whether antidepressants should be used to treat depression in people with bipolar disorder,” Dr. Galynker explains. That's because there’s a risk of switching abruptly from depression to mania. Psychotherapy Therapy is also crucial. Intensive counseling helps people recover faster and stay well over a one-year period, according to the largest federally funded study of bipolar disorder treatments, the Systematic Treatment Enhancement Program for Bipolar Disorder. The three types of therapy included in the study had comparable benefits. They were: Cognitive-behavioral therapy. This approach teaches people how to counteract negative thoughts and use behavioral strategies to cope with mood swings. Interpersonal and social rhythm therapy. You’ll learn how to maintain consistent daily routines and sleep schedules. This therapy also works on resolving interpersonal issues and conflicts that contribute to symptoms. Family-focused treatment. Couples or parents and children work together to manage a sufferer’s bipolar disorder in this type of therapy. Persuading Your Partner to Seek Treatment People with manic depression may not realize how sick they are. So if your mate is showing signs of bipolar disorder, overcoming denial and convincing him or her to see a mental health professional can be difficult. Dr. Galynker recommends the following steps: Persuasion: Start by reasoning with him. Explain that he can improve his life by getting help. Intervention: Enlist the help of people your mate values, such as parents, siblings and friends. Manipulation: Present treatment as a privilege. For example, you could mention that he’ll be seeing the same doctor who treated a local celebrity. Ultimatum: If all else fails, “tell him, ‘Either you see somebody or I'm leaving,’” Dr. Galynker says. While harsh, it may be your only option. Helping a Loved One Stay Well Once your mate gets better, you can help him stay that way. Support his healthy lifestyle choices, such as avoiding alcohol and other drugs, keeping a regular sleep schedule and reducing stress. Also, ask his treatment provider about early warning signs of a relapse. Then develop an emergency plan with her and your mate in case this occurs. And remember, neither of you has to endure bipolar disorder alone. To find support in your area, visit the DBSA Chapter and Support Group Directory. Today, Shirley Rogerson’s husband, Roger, is doing well. And he credits her with playing a pivotal role in his recovery.“It’s great to have somebody who has stuck with me for all these years and knows me inside-out,” he says. “With bipolar, it’s always way up or way down. She helps me find the medium.” Learn more about signs of bipolar disorder in our Mental Health Center. Which Personality Disorder Do You Have? Everyone has idiosyncrasies that might lend themselves to a personality disorder. Take a look at the silly side of being addictive, compulsive, dependent and antisocial and keep an open mind while you take this personality disorder quiz. Discover your neurosis and find out which personality disorder best defines you. About Lifescript | Contact Us | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Spam Policy | Products | Advertise

Sunday, August 7, 2016

Fairfax Juvenile Domestic Court and Parent Support Group

Juvenile Intake Services Fairfax County Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court 4110 Chain Bridge Road Room 104 Fairfax, VA 22030 703-246-2495 or 711 (TTY) www.fairfaxcounty.gov/courts/jdr/homepage.htm Este folleto está disponible en español. Para obtener más información, por favor llame al 703-246-2495 or 711 (TTY) Overview Juveniles thought to have committed offenses which are under the jurisdiction of the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court are brought into the judicial system through Juvenile Intake Services. Petitions or complaints against juveniles may be filed by police officers, citizens, families or other agencies. The court provides intake services at the courthouse in Fairfax and at its probation offices in North, South and East County. Intake services are provided for both delinquent (criminal) and CHINS (non-criminal) offenses. An intake officer will decide whether cases are set for judicial hearings or diverted from the court and handled informally. Delinquency Criminal offenses are identified as felonies or misdemeanors. The penalties for these offenses are generally more serious than for CHINS offenses. Felonies may only be filed by law enforcement officers, with the exception of unauthorized use of a family vehicle, which can be filed by a parent. Criminal offenses may be committed against citizens, businesses or family members and can include: theft, assault, destruction of property, breaking and entering, etc. It is best to contact the police in criminal matters prior to seeking Intake Services. Fairfax County is committed to nondiscrimination in all county programs, services, and activities. Special accommodations will be provided upon request. For information, call 703-246-2495, 711 (TTY). CHINS CHINS (Child in Need of Supervision) offenses are non-criminal matters or status offenses. They include truancy, running away or behavior that may result in a serious threat to the well-being and physical safety of the child. Status offenses are acts prohibited by law which would not be a crime if committed by an adult, such as tobacco possession or curfew violations. If you believe your family needs assistance with any of these issues, schedule an appointment with an intake officer for an assessment (see back for locations and contact information). It is important that your child also attend the meeting. CHINS Truancy Virginia Law says that the school and the truancy officer must become involved when a child accumulates a number of unexcused absences. The truancy officer will attempt interventions prior to the case being referred to court, but must make referrals if there is no improvement. Parents are encouraged to call the school to discuss concerns they are having with their child's attendance, as only the truancy officer can make these court referrals. CHINS Runaway According to Virginia law, a child is "in need of supervision" if he or she deserts or abandons his family or lawful custodian without consent on more than one occasion. Parents should first call the police and report the child as a runaway. All efforts should be made to determine the child's whereabouts before contacting the court. The intake officer must determine whether the child's behavior presents a clear and substantial danger to his/her life or health, as well as what other community resources the family has utilized. The parents should bring a child to meet with an intake officer after the child returns home, prior to any court involvement to see how the matter can best be addressed. It should be noted that filing a complaint with the Intake Department will not speed up the process of finding one's child. CHINS Services According to Virginia law, a child is "in need of services" if the child's behavior, conduct or condition is a serious threat to the well-being and physical safety of the child or of another person. The Intake Officer will meet with a child and his parents to assess issues and problems to determine the appropriate action. State law requires the following: The conduct or behavior that is the subject of complaint must present a clear and substantial danger to the child's life or health or to the life or health of another person. The child or his family is in need of treatment, rehabilitation or services not presently being received and The intervention of the court is essential to rehabilitation or services needed by the child/family. Please note that probation supervision is not an option for a CHINS Services case. Custody Appointments for custody petitions may be scheduled at juvenile intake for non-contested (all parties in agreement) third party custody matters of school-age children and cases with a court order for the Department of Family Services (DFS) involvement. Please contact Domestic Relations regarding other custody matters (703-246-3040). Parent Support Group Juvenile Courthouse Every Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. No appointment necessary. PARENTS ONLY. Call 703-246-2495 or 711 (TTY) for information.

Saturday, August 6, 2016

Bipolar Disorder

10 Warning Signs of Bipolar Disorder
By Linda Wasmer Andrews, Special to Lifescript
Published August 06, 2016
We all have ups and downs. But the steep climbs (mania) and sudden plunges (depression) of bipolar disorder can lead to life-threatening situations.Shirley Rogerson, thought her husband of 40 years was simply prone to dark moods. At other times, he was the life of the party, telling jokes that had everyone in stitches.

But as years passed, his behavior became frightening.

“He threatened to kill himself and had hallucinations,” says Rogerson, an author and library information specialist. “Once, he saw visions of killing me and the dogs.”

Her husband was eventually diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
This serious mental illness affects about 6 million women and men in the U.S., according to the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA). And it can be harrowing and dangerous for people around them.

In the manic phase, sufferers often don’t think anything's wrong. They’re hyper-energized and brimming with confidence. But they’re not as invincible as they feel.

Eventually, people almost always make a big mistake, such as a foolish investment or an ill-advised affair.

“When they realize what they’ve done, they can crash into really bad depression,” says psychiatrist Igor Galynker, M.D., Ph.D., director of the Family Center for Bipolar Disorder at Beth Israel Medical Center, in New York City.

What Is Bipolar Disorder?
This complex mental condition comes in various forms. These are the most common:

  • Bipolar I is the classic type, what used to be called manic depression. Patients typically alternate between full-blown mania and depression, which causes severe behavioral shifts. In some, those symptoms occur concurrently.
  • Occasionally, the mania or depression is so severe that it becomes psychosis — a break with reality characterized by delusions or hallucinations.
  • Bipolar II is the less extreme, more common version of the disorder. Depressive episodes alternate with hypomania, a milder version of mania. People with hypomania are sometimes highly productive and function well.
  • “It can start out lovely,” says Cynthia Last, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist in Boca Raton, Fla., and author of When Someone You Love Is Bipolar (Guilford Press).



  • But hypomania inevitably leads to depression. And if left untreated, symptoms may grow more extreme, evolving into bipolar I.

Once diagnosed, bipolar disorder is often treatable with medications and psychotherapy. But warning signs of bipolar disorder are often confused with major depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), drug-induced highs or just plain moodiness.

As a result, only one in four sufferers are accurately diagnosed in less than three years, according to DBSA figures.

Recognizing the mania and depression signs of bipolar disorder is the first step to getting help. Here's what to look for:

6 Warning Signs of Mania
1. Unusually upbeat, outgoing or irritable mood
During a manic phase, some people feel euphoric, others talk nonstop and some develop a hair-trigger temper. The key is that their mood is a radical departure from the norm.“A person who’s usually a reasonable individual may suddenly become impossible to live with,” Dr. Galynker explains.

2. Racing thoughts and speed-talking
Besides speaking quickly and jumping between ideas, a person in a manic phase may also be easily distracted — one reason mania is sometimes mistaken for ADHD.

“Unfortunately, the primary treatment for ADHD is stimulants, which can trigger severe symptoms in someone with bipolar disorder,” Last says.

To avoid a misdiagnosis of ADHD, mental health professionals analyze how behavior has changed: Bipolar disorder is episodic, while adult ADHD usually continues from childhood.

3. Boundless energy
The extremely energetic behavior common in the manic phase often leads to rushing around and taking on new projects, however ill-advised. If the sufferer is also easily distracted, he’ll jump to new tasks before completion, Dr. Galynker says.
4. Impulsive and self-destructive behavior
Spending sprees, flagrant affairs or risky investments can all signal bipolar disorder if they’re out of character and part of a larger pattern of symptoms, Dr. Galynker says.

5. Decreased need for sleep
Sleeping only a few hours a night could be a sign of bipolar disorder – as well as depression or anxiety. How do you know the difference?

“People with insomnia typically feel very tired during the day,” says Elizabeth Brondolo, Ph.D., a psychology professor at St. John's University, in Queens, N.Y., and author of Break the Bipolar Cycle(McGraw-Hill Education). Someone in a manic episode may never feel exhausted.

6. Inflated sense of self-worth
An exaggerated sense of your power, knowledge or importance is common in the manic stage, such as believing you have a special relationship with God.

“It’s a feeling of being invincible and doing no wrong,” Dr. Galynker says.

4 Warning Signs of Depression

1. Sad, empty or hopeless mood
Many people with bipolar disorder spend most of the time depressed, Brondolo says. This relentless dark mood prevents them from taking interest or pleasure in their lives.

2. Low energy and constant fatigue
In contrast to supercharged energy during mania, this phase leaves a person feeling drained of energy and motivation. The smallest task – even getting out of bed – can seem impossible.

“A depressed person isn’t able to move forward and do what's supposed to be done,” Brondolo says. As a result, performance at home, work or school often suffers.

3. Decreased ability to think clearly
The same mind that races from idea to idea when manic may feel paralyzed during depression, making it hard for the sufferer to remember things and make decisions.

“Depression can lead to serious disruptions in concentration and attention,” Brondolo says.

4. Suicidal thoughts and behavior
Depression often leads to dwelling on past mistakes, including blunders made while manic.

“When it gets really bad, you may feel cornered, as if all possible ways of escaping a situation are closed,” Dr. Galynker says.

That’s when suicidal thoughts can take hold. And without treatment, the risk of acting on them is high. Up to 20% of people with bipolar disorder take their lives.

Getting Help
If you recognize several warning signs of bipolar disorder in yourself or a loved one, seek help. Contact a psychiatrist or other mental health professional, or get a referral from your primary care physician.

Several treatments are available:

Medications
These play a primary role in managing bipolar disorder. Options include:

  • Mood-stabilizing drugs. Usually the first choice, these include lithium, the oldest mood stabilizer, and anticonvulsants, a group of drugs originally developed to treat seizures.
  • Antipsychotics. These drugs are prescribed when lithium or anticonvulsants don’t work, or if the patient has symptoms of psychosis.
  • Antidepressants. Often combined with a mood stabilizer or antipsychotic, “there's controversy over whether antidepressants should be used to treat depression in people with bipolar disorder,” Dr. Galynker explains. That's because there’s a risk of switching abruptly from depression to mania.

Psychotherapy
Therapy is also crucial. Intensive counseling helps people recover faster and stay well over a one-year period, according to the largest federally funded study of bipolar disorder treatments, the Systematic Treatment Enhancement Program for Bipolar Disorder.

The three types of therapy included in the study had comparable benefits. They were:

  • Cognitive-behavioral therapy. This approach teaches people how to counteract negative thoughts and use behavioral strategies to cope with mood swings.
  • Interpersonal and social rhythm therapy. You’ll learn how to maintain consistent daily routines and sleep schedules. This therapy also works on resolving interpersonal issues and conflicts that contribute to symptoms.
  • Family-focused treatment. Couples or parents and children work together to manage a sufferer’s bipolar disorder in this type of therapy.


Persuading Your Partner to Seek Treatment
People with manic depression may not realize how sick they are. So if your mate is showing signs of bipolar disorder, overcoming denial and convincing him or her to see a mental health professional can be difficult.

Dr. Galynker recommends the following steps:

  • Persuasion: Start by reasoning with him. Explain that he can improve his life by getting help.
  • Intervention: Enlist the help of people your mate values, such as parents, siblings and friends.
  • Manipulation: Present treatment as a privilege. For example, you could mention that he’ll be seeing the same doctor who treated a local celebrity.
  • Ultimatum: If all else fails, “tell him, ‘Either you see somebody or I'm leaving,’” Dr. Galynker says. While harsh, it may be your only option.


Helping a Loved One Stay Well
Once your mate gets better, you can help him stay that way. Support his healthy lifestyle choices, such as avoiding alcohol and other drugs, keeping a regular sleep schedule and reducing stress.

Also, ask his treatment provider about early warning signs of a relapse. Then develop an emergency plan with her and your mate in case this occurs.

And remember, neither of you has to endure bipolar disorder alone. To find support in your area, visit theDBSA Chapter and Support Group Directory.

Today, Shirley Rogerson’s husband, Roger, is doing well. And he credits her with playing a pivotal role in his recovery.“It’s great to have somebody who has stuck with me for all these years and knows me inside-out,” he says. “With bipolar, it’s always way up or way down. She helps me find the medium.”

Learn more about signs of bipolar disorder in our Mental Health Center.

Which Personality Disorder Do You Have?
Everyone has idiosyncrasies that might lend themselves to a personality disorder. Take a look at the silly side of being addictive, compulsive, dependent and antisocial and keep an open mind while you take this personality disorder quiz. Discover your neurosis and find out which personality disorder best defines you. 

Friday, June 17, 2016

Self Defense for Women in Fairfax Why are men excluded

Protect Yourself: Register for a Women’s Self Defense Class

050812SAFEclass

The Fairfax County Police Department, in partnership with the Fairfax County Law Enforcement Foundation, is holding evening self-defense classes for all women, 13 and older. Brought about by popular demand and request, the classes fill quickly. They are held bi-weekly from 6-9 p.m. in various locations throughout Fairfax County, and are FREE of charge.
Classes involve instruction on topics of risk awareness, risk reduction, crime prevention strategies, as well as hands-on training in physical defense techniques. This is not a martial arts course. Attendees will have the chance to test their skills in a controlled environment and will practice their new skills using realistic scenarios.
Find course details, and online registration, on the Women’s Self Defense Training page athttp://fairfaxfoundation.org.
The following are upcoming dates/locations. Registrations are limited and classes may fill quickly.
JULY 15 and 17th – Floris Elementary School, 2708 Centreville Rd, Herndon AUGUST 12th and 14th – Longfellow Middle School, 2000 Westmoreland St, Falls Church SEPTEMBER 9th and 11th – Key Middle School, 6402 Franconia Rd, Springfield OCTOBER 14th and 16th – Glasgow Middle School , 4101 Fairfax Parkway, Alexandria NOVEMBER 11th and 13th – Powell Elementary School, 13340 Leland Rd, Centreville DECEMBER 9th and 11th – Belle View Elementary School, 6701 Fort Hunt Rd, Alexandria
Don’t be a victim; learn valuable safety and protection skills that could save your life.

Wednesday, June 8, 2016

VALUE OF MY PROPERTY

  1. http://www.zillow.com/how-much-is-my-home-worth/The Zestimate home valuation is Zillow's estimated market value for a home, computed using a proprietary formula. It is a starting point in determining a home's ...
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  4. http://realestatecenter.bankofamerica.com/tools/marketvalue4.aspxWhat's Your Home Worth? The property value presented is an estimate based on public record data and other factors. The actual value of the property may vary.
  5. https://www.redfin.com/what-is-my-home-worthFind out what your house is worth with the Redfin Estimate. We look at 100% of the homes on the MLS to give you the most accuratehome-value estimate ...
  6. http://www.homes.com/Home-Prices/US home value database. Home values are based on homes sold prices, public records of assessed values of homes near the address, and area real estate ...

Wednesday, June 1, 2016

Insight into Female Psychopath and Male Psychopath

Aleshyn_Andrei/Shutterstock
Source: Aleshyn_Andrei/Shutterstock
Before I discuss the female psychopath, I will first address how to diagnose a psychopath—a subject of ongoing confusion. Once the distinction is clear, we can explore examples of how female psychopaths are similar to, and different from, their male counterparts.
Two different terms, a similar problem
The diagnosis "psychopath" is best made with the Psychopathy Checklist–Revised (PCL-R, 2003) developed by Robert Hare. The PCL–R consists of 20 items, which are scored from 0 to 2 depending on how well each item fits an individual. The maximum score is 40, which is extremely rare. Within research, 30 is the accepted threshold for psychopathy (Hare, Hart and Harper, 1991).
Psychopathy is not the same thing as Antisocial Personality Disorder (APD), the disorder which refers to the lack of conscience and empathy also often seen with psychopathy. The APD diagnostic structure is included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, now currently in its fifth edition (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Note: Because the DSM-5 is so new, the research referred to in this article refers to the fourth edition of the manual.
The difference between psychopathy and APD is made more confusing by the fact that the DSM includes the APD diagnosis but not the distinct diagnosis for the psychopath.
Research supports that Antisocial Personality Disorder (APD) and psychopathy are two distinct entities, despite overlapping in some ways. According to Widiger et al. (1996), a majority of men in prison (70-100%) qualify as presenting APD whereas the Psychopathy Checklist–Revised only diagnosed 28% of men in prison a Canadian study, and 25% of men in a Swedish prison study (Stalenheim & Knorring, 1996).
According to Hart and Hare (1996), all individuals who have been diagnosed with psychopathy will also have APD but not all individuals suffering from APD will be diagnosed with psychopathy.
In short, the psychopathic diagnosis reflects a more severe disorder than APD.
Research on the female psychopath
For years, the research has told us that psychopaths are usually male. Research on psychopaths largely stems from studies conducted from prison samples, but remember that those in prison are there because they have been caught. We will never truly know the exact prevalence for male or female psychopaths because many only come to light once they have been arrested for a crime. (Hare estimates that approximately 1% of the population are psychopaths.) Is it possible that women can get away with certain crimes more than men because society is less likely to expect certain antisocial or violent behaviors among them? It certainly is.
Warren et al. (2003) found female occurrence rates of psychopathy of approximately 17% in prison populations—significantly lower than the rates for men in prison (Winn et. al, 2012). I attend trainings regularly and hear experts talk about how the number of female psychopaths is much higher than currently reported. Until we have research to inform us, however, it does not make sense to entirely contradict years of research which says that more men are psychopaths than women.
How are female psychopaths different from male psychopaths?
Robert Hare, the developer of the Hare Psychopathy Checklist, offers the following analysis:
"The variety and severity of criminal acts performed by these women, as well as their capacity for cold-blooded violence, are similar to those committed by their male counterparts" (p. 102).
Research suggests that young women who later become psychopaths may look different than young men who later present the same disorder. Specifically, Verona (2006) found that young women who later develop the disorder show a more relational form of aggression characterized by jealousyself-harm, manipulation, and verbal aggression.
Other research has examined the importance of relational aggression among females, suggesting that women may display aggression differently than their male counterparts. Crick and Grotpeter (1996) studied relational aggression, also known as covert aggression, which is a type of aggression in which harm is caused by damaging someone's relationships or social status—and it’s different from the type of aggression (typically, physical) that males show each other. Relational aggression tends to be more subtle and manipulative.
It may be that while many male psychopaths act in traditionally aggressive, socially -constructed ways which can eventually lead them to be incarcerated (and evaluated for psychopathy), female psychopaths operate in more nuanced, less overtly physically aggressive ways, though they can ultimately lead to equally destructive outcomes. Think of a seemingly kind older female nurse who cares for a sick man. This woman could well be a psychopath but her presentation as an older woman in a helping profession causes others to see her in a benevolent light.
Does size and strength factor into the development or practice of psychopathy in men and women? On a common sense level, size and strength do matter. Perhaps a female psychopath must rely more heavily on manipulation than physical intimidation, or on teaming up with a male psychopath to achieve her goals.
An example of a female psychopath
As a psychologist who conducts violence threat assessments, I see firsthand how females can show the same capacity for psychopathy that I have seen in males. The hallmarks—eerie detachment from emotion, lack of conscience or remorse, glibness, and comfort and pride in breaking with laws and social conventions.
I recently evaluated a 27-year old female who met nearly every criterion for psychopathy. She sat on the couch in my office and recounted how she mutilated and killed her pet bunny with a pencil; how she took a video of the entire act; and how she hasn't regretted her actions for a moment. She epitomized cool and calm as she explained, "I looked at him and knew his days were over." This young woman is a psychopath, just one of many that may go unnoticed at work, the gym, or the supermarket.
The psychopath I describe above is different from the vast majority of women, but not from other female psychopaths. Psychopaths often start practicing their kills with animals, as my female client exemplified. For my client, the bunny wasn't the first animal she had tortured; she had practiced torturing a couple of smaller animals before, starting as a teenager. Female psychopaths, like their male counterparts, often practice with animals but ultimately move on to higher-stakes targets—humans. The good news is that since animal cruelty is against the law, psychopaths sometimes get arrested for those acts, which introduces them to legal consequences they don't want, perhaps slowing them down or causing them to try to control their larger impulses to hurt people.
Are mothers who kill their children psychopaths? 
One area of inquiry that requires more research is whether women who kill their children are actually psychopaths. Think of any number of the highly publicized trials of women charged with killing their children. Are they psychopaths? The truth is that mothers kill their children for a variety of reasons—command auditory hallucinations tell them to do it; they suffer from other mental illness which preclude them from managing the complex demands of parenting; or they either never wanted to have children in the first place or coolly decide after the fact that they don't want their children and must get rid of them. Because there is so little research available on the topic, I can only hypothesize that some—but not all—of the subset of women who kill their children are psychopaths.
Are female school shooters psychopaths?
In conducting violence threat assessments in schools, I work hard to understand the psychological motivations of school shooters so that I can prevent an at-risk kid from turning a violent fantasy into a reality. Are male school shooters psychopaths? Are female school shooters psychopaths? We need more research to inform us about how these individuals would score on the PCL–R, for example, but many shooters ultimately kill themselves so no one gets the chance to test them. My anecdotal experience is that many school shooters—male and female—are full-blown psychopaths or, at least, have many psychopathic characteristics.
Final analysis
The female psychopaths I have assessed are every bit as dangerous as their male peers. The important point is for society—and clinicians—to understand that the female psychopath may look different on the surface because the behaviors are different. Underneath her exterior, though, the female psychopath operates from the same conscience-free, bent-on-manipulation-and-winning mindset. If a woman is a psychopath, she can be just as dangerous as a male psychopath—perhaps more so because, based on social conventions, we're less likely to see her coming.
Feel free to explore my book, Overcome Relationship Repetition Syndrome, or to follow me on Twitter for mental health updates.
References
  • American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders: DSM-5. Washington, D.C: American Psychiatric Association.
  • Babiak, P., Hare, R.D. Snakes in Suits: When psychopaths go to work. New York: Harper; 2006. pp. 101-102.

Tuesday, May 3, 2016

VA SUPREME COURT decision on equitable distribution

122145 David v. David 02/27/2014 In a marital dispute under Virginia’s equitable distribution and marital property statutes, the Court of Appeals erred in interpreting Code § 20-107.3(A)(3)(a) as placing an initial burden upon the non-owning spouse, who seeks to establish that an appreciation in the value of separate property occurring during marriage is marital property, of proving that significant personal effort during marriage or a contribution of marital property proximately caused such appreciation. This statute provides that the non-owning spouse has the burden of proving that contributions of marital property or personal effort were made and that the separate property increased in value, and the statute provides that – once this burden of proof is met – the owning spouse has the burden of proving that the increase in value or some portion thereof was not caused by such contributions of marital property or personal effort. The judgment of the Court of Appeals is reversed and this case is remanded for further proceedings consistent with this opinion.

VA Supreme Court Decision on Alimony

150770 Luttrell v. Cucco 04/28/2016 In an appeal from a ruling on a former husband’s motion for adjustment of spousal support, the Court of Appeals erred in upholding the circuit court’s conclusion that only opposite-sex couples can “cohabit” in a “relationship analogous to marriage” for purposes of Code § 20-109(A), applicable in considering the termination of spousal support under the parties’ property and support settlement agreement in the divorce. The judgment of the Court of Appeals is reversed, the award of attorney’s fees to the wife is vacated, and the case is remanded for an evidentiary hearing consistent with this opinion to determine whether the former wife cohabited with her fiancée within the meaning of Code § 20-109(A) and for reconsideration of attorney’s fees pursuant to the property settlement agreement at that time.