Showing a Softer Side of Serial Killer Syndrome
The character whose story I’m currently writing, Aura, is diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder, infamously called “serial killer syndrome” or psychopathy/sociopathy. For this reason, writing a story that aligns with the typical “dating simulator” may prove to be challenging. Media tends to glorify serial killers (see Dexter and The Ted Bundy Tapes), as well as portray their symptoms to extremes.
ASPD is characterised by the inability to differentiate between right and wrong. Other symptoms include pathological lying, extreme cynicism and disrespect towards others, lack of empathy, aggressive behaviours, and uncharacteristic charm. There is no “cure” for ASPD- psychotherapy can be helpful, but only if the patient desires help. In many cases, people with ASPD do not see anything wrong with their way of life, and thus never seek help and can actually become very antagonistic when faced with the very suggestion.
While Aura is not inherently a serial killer, it can be seen from the player’s very first interactions with her that she has an unusually hostile nature, but a somewhat unsettling charm.
While Dexter does present a very factual representation of ASPD as it could play out in a person’s life, my goal by including Aura as a character is to show that not all people diagnosed with ASPD must take such a bloody path. There is not necessarily a set list of “rules” that define ASPD- many depictions in media display the person in question having a tendency to injure or even kill animals as a child. While this is definitely a major indicator of an underlying issue, not everyone suffering from ASPD participate in these behaviours. For example, in Do I Date?, Aura is actually very fond of animals.
It is true that antisocial personality disorder can be very dangerous- but that is not always the case. Serial killers are usually affected by additional disorders that form into a perfect storm, leading them down a darker path. By including Aura, I am attempting to show a gentler side to this disorder- that not everyone who has it must automatically be labeled as “crazy” or “dangerous.” Sociopaths are people, just like everyone else- and deserve to be treated as such. In no way am I suggesting that you go out and find your local serial killer and invite them for a sleepover. I am simply suggesting that every person be given an equal chance.
