Hannibal Lecter: Character Diagnosis And Treatment Of Hannibal Lecter

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I. Introduction
In the television show Hannibal, a basic plot forms between Will Gram the protagonist and Dr. Hannibal Lecter the antagonist. Hannibal Lecture is a well-established psychiatrist that also happens to be a cannibal serial killer. In the show, Dr. Lecter is the psychiatrist for Will Graham and helps Graham to separate the serial cases from his own reality. However, Graham is unaware of Dr. Lecters extra circulars, specifically he is the serial killer that Graham is looking for but is unaware. Due to his psychotic nature in addition to his conning yet cold demeanor, I would diagnose him with Antisocial Personality Disorder.
II. Character Background and Diagnosis
The character I have chosen to analyze is Hannibal Lecter. Based on various displays of his behavior, I would diagnose him with Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD). While ASPD seems self-explanatory, ASPD actually has more to do with the disregard of others rights than it does being antisocial (Rosenburg and Kosslyn, 2011, p. 592). For example, someone with ASPD might threaten to harm others or themselves (Rosenburg and Kosslyn, 2011, p. 592).
In the DSM-IV-TR, at least three of the seven specific criteria of ASPD need to be displayed since the age of 15. One particular criterion addresses a failure to adhere to societal norms in accordance with the law (Rosenburg and Kosslyn, 2011, p. 592). While Lecter adheres to societal norms such as poise and respect when in public, he fails to follow to law by repeatedly committing murder. Another criterion addressed deceitfulness, lying, and conning, for personal gain (Rosenburg and Kosslyn, 2011, p. 592). Hannibal Lecter fulfilled this criterion tenfold. He functions what would appear to be appropriately in s...

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...onclusion, I feel that Hannibal Lecter’s diagnosis would be Antisocial Personality Disorder with a tendency to be more on the psychopathy side of this disorder. He displayed six of the seven DSM criteria that identify a person with ASPD. Additionally, his behaviors fit well with psychopathy, which is a more narrowed view of ASPD. As mentioned earlier this can cause issues when looking to treat the disorder. Thus it was stated that no clear treatment exists. Due to this lack in treatment, I hypothesized that his future would end up in solitary or in death. However Hannibal Lecter is great at giving advice to both his friends and patients even if it was superficial. Also, he is a terrific cook and also was very well mannered. Overall, he is very intelligent in many areas other than psychology however his ASPD, serial killing, and cannibalism will be the end of him.

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