Did Borderline Personality Disorder Play a Role In Kaitlin Armstrong's Murder Accusations?
Nov 06, 2023, 06:00 PM
Could a tragic outcome have been averted if early intervention had been available to someone like Kaitlin Armstrong? This question looms large in the wake of the chilling podcast episode “Hidden Killers” with Tony Brueski, where psychotherapist and author Shavaun Scott delves into the complexities of Armstrong's case—a saga involving alleged murder, a love triangle, and a subsequent flight to Costa Rica.
Kaitlin Armstrong, a yoga teacher by profession, became embroiled in a situation that seemed ripped from a crime thriller. Brueski's conversation with Scott unearthed the possibility that Armstrong's actions might not have been a mere snap decision but rather the culmination of a much deeper psychological issue.
Scott suggests that Armstrong's behavior aligns with characteristics of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)—a condition marked by emotional instability, impulsive actions, and often, a distorted self-image. "A lot of women are in prison for crimes like this, and they generally, we can say most of them have a diagnosis of borderline personality disorder," Scott said, highlighting the potential underlying cause of such drastic actions.
The case, as laid out by Brueski and Scott, paints a picture of a woman who may have been living with an undiagnosed mental health disorder, one that can lead to extreme measures when provoked by emotional stressors. "Women with borderline personality disorder... tend to be incredibly dependent, incredibly needy, but then have these spits of anger when they feel like misperceiving," Scott explains, shedding light on the intense emotional turbulence associated with BPD.
But it's not just the individual with BPD who suffers. Scott points out that the disorder can lead to significant distress and destruction in their relationships. The book Scott refers to, "I Hate You, Don't Leave Me," encapsulates the push-pull dynamic often experienced in the intimate connections of those with BPD.
According to Scott, BPD is often misinterpreted by the public due to its internal nature and the individual's ability to mask their struggles. "People with borderline personality also tend to be highly manipulative. They can be very charming... But it's, that's the flip side of the coin. There is this incredibly impulsive, rageful, angry side," she elaborates, indicating that the disorder can often go undetected by those not closest to the individual.
Brueski and Scott's dialogue ventured into the critical territory of control and awareness, dissecting whether an individual with BPD is conscious of their actions during an episode. "They know what they're doing. And often it has been a fantasy that they've been entertaining for some period of time," Scott asserts, challenging the narrative that such actions are purely spontaneous or unplanned.
The conversation also touched upon the potential for treatment and improvement for individuals like Armstrong. Scott notes that with the proper therapy, specifically Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), there is a significant prospect for those with BPD to lead more stable and less tumultuous lives. "Out of all the cluster B disorders, this is the one that is most responsive to treatment if they want treatment," she states, providing a glimmer of hope for recovery.
Yet, the dichotomy of a yoga teacher, typically associated with calmness and self-control, and the tumultuous inner world suggested by the alleged actions, leaves a stark contrast that's hard to reconcile. As Scott suggests, "often the intensity that happens in relationships, that's the only time it really manifests is in their love life."
The “Hidden Killers” episode with Shavaun Scott does more than unpack the Kaitlin Armstrong case; it confronts us with the reality of mental health's role in criminality and the importance of recognizing and treating disorders before they potentially contribute to tragic outcomes.
As readers absorb the insights provided by Brueski and Scott, they are left with an imperative reflection: Could recognizing and addressing the hidden struggles of individuals with mental health disorders prevent future tragedies? And how many more Kaitlin Armstrongs are out there, undiagnosed and on the brink?
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Follow Our Other Cases: https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com
The latest on Catching the Long Island Serial Killer, Awaiting Admission: BTK’s Unconfessed Crimes, Delphi Murders: Inside the Crime, Chad & Lori Daybell, The Murder of Ana Walshe, Alex Murdaugh, Bryan Kohberger, Lucy Letby, Kouri Richins, Malevolent Mormon Mommys, Justice for Harmony Montgomery, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com
Kaitlin Armstrong, a yoga teacher by profession, became embroiled in a situation that seemed ripped from a crime thriller. Brueski's conversation with Scott unearthed the possibility that Armstrong's actions might not have been a mere snap decision but rather the culmination of a much deeper psychological issue.
Scott suggests that Armstrong's behavior aligns with characteristics of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)—a condition marked by emotional instability, impulsive actions, and often, a distorted self-image. "A lot of women are in prison for crimes like this, and they generally, we can say most of them have a diagnosis of borderline personality disorder," Scott said, highlighting the potential underlying cause of such drastic actions.
The case, as laid out by Brueski and Scott, paints a picture of a woman who may have been living with an undiagnosed mental health disorder, one that can lead to extreme measures when provoked by emotional stressors. "Women with borderline personality disorder... tend to be incredibly dependent, incredibly needy, but then have these spits of anger when they feel like misperceiving," Scott explains, shedding light on the intense emotional turbulence associated with BPD.
But it's not just the individual with BPD who suffers. Scott points out that the disorder can lead to significant distress and destruction in their relationships. The book Scott refers to, "I Hate You, Don't Leave Me," encapsulates the push-pull dynamic often experienced in the intimate connections of those with BPD.
According to Scott, BPD is often misinterpreted by the public due to its internal nature and the individual's ability to mask their struggles. "People with borderline personality also tend to be highly manipulative. They can be very charming... But it's, that's the flip side of the coin. There is this incredibly impulsive, rageful, angry side," she elaborates, indicating that the disorder can often go undetected by those not closest to the individual.
Brueski and Scott's dialogue ventured into the critical territory of control and awareness, dissecting whether an individual with BPD is conscious of their actions during an episode. "They know what they're doing. And often it has been a fantasy that they've been entertaining for some period of time," Scott asserts, challenging the narrative that such actions are purely spontaneous or unplanned.
The conversation also touched upon the potential for treatment and improvement for individuals like Armstrong. Scott notes that with the proper therapy, specifically Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), there is a significant prospect for those with BPD to lead more stable and less tumultuous lives. "Out of all the cluster B disorders, this is the one that is most responsive to treatment if they want treatment," she states, providing a glimmer of hope for recovery.
Yet, the dichotomy of a yoga teacher, typically associated with calmness and self-control, and the tumultuous inner world suggested by the alleged actions, leaves a stark contrast that's hard to reconcile. As Scott suggests, "often the intensity that happens in relationships, that's the only time it really manifests is in their love life."
The “Hidden Killers” episode with Shavaun Scott does more than unpack the Kaitlin Armstrong case; it confronts us with the reality of mental health's role in criminality and the importance of recognizing and treating disorders before they potentially contribute to tragic outcomes.
As readers absorb the insights provided by Brueski and Scott, they are left with an imperative reflection: Could recognizing and addressing the hidden struggles of individuals with mental health disorders prevent future tragedies? And how many more Kaitlin Armstrongs are out there, undiagnosed and on the brink?
Want to listen to ALL of our podcasts AD-FREE? Subscribe through APPLE PODCASTS, and try it for three days free: https://tinyurl.com/ycw626tj
Follow Our Other Cases: https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com
The latest on Catching the Long Island Serial Killer, Awaiting Admission: BTK’s Unconfessed Crimes, Delphi Murders: Inside the Crime, Chad & Lori Daybell, The Murder of Ana Walshe, Alex Murdaugh, Bryan Kohberger, Lucy Letby, Kouri Richins, Malevolent Mormon Mommys, Justice for Harmony Montgomery, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com