8 Myths about Serial Killers
The reality behind the Media portrayal of serial killers.
1. All psychopaths are serial killers
Not all psychopaths are serial killers just like not all serial killers are psychopaths. Psychopathy is astonishingly common as mental disorders go. It is twice as common as schizophrenia, anorexia, bipolar disorder, and paranoia, and roughly as common as bulimia, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive personality disorder, and narcissism. Indeed, the only mental disorders significantly more common than psychopathy are those related to drug and alcohol abuse or dependence, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. Conservative estimates suggest there are 30 million psychopaths in the world, around 1in 200 of us.
Up to 35% of the prison population are psychopaths but, contrary to popular belief, not all psychopaths are serial killers.
Indeed, many psychopaths function perfectly well in everyday life, sometimes with impressive careers as lawyers, politicians, estate agents, surgeons, and even the occasional psychiatrist.
2. All serial killers travel and kill interstate
Contrary to the popular belief, most serial killers operate locally and present low mobility. 74% of the serial…
