My son (16 years ) had gotten some gerbils for a school project and he said they were ugly and that he would just "buy prettier ones". What I did not know is that he purposefully left them in their cage without food or water so that they would die. When I found the dead gerbils he just told me nonchalantly that he let them die since he did not want them. The school teacher told me that could be a sign of a mental disorder and should be checked out by a psychologist. But he is at the top of his class and in line for being valedictorian/salutatorian and looks very normal, (side note: when he was 8, he hung his two rabbits by the throat to see their response to quote "oxygen deprivation" I got after him but since the rabbits did not die I just grounded him for a day ) Even though he doesnt have a history of mental issues, could he have a problem?
2007-03-22 08:58:25 · 18 answers · asked by Mark 1 in Health ➔ Mental Health
You can't be real....
When he finally gets arrested as the next Dahmer, are you going to believe he has a problem then?
Yes, of course torturing animals is a sign of mental instability.
Do you intend to stand in line to be his first human victim?
2007-03-22 09:07:27 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 6⤊ 0⤋
A 16 year old is old enough to know not to let anything starve to death. It sounds like really he needs help. I'd get him to a mental health professional. Hanging rabbits at age 8 out of curiousity is NOT Normal either.
This is how serial killers start. Ted Bundy was excellent in school and looked normal too.
The key signs in future serial killers are setting fires and abusing animals.
This is a scary situation. Your son needs help really badly and you need to keep him away from all animals (and I'd keep him away from children too if you can).
2007-03-22 09:14:55 · answer #2 · answered by Mary G 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Jeffrey Dahmer started out by torturing animals and he was very smart, probably the top of his class. That is definitely a sign of lack of conscience. I was a psychology major and most psychopaths start out torturing animals. He needs to know how wrong that is. It's called animal neglect and one can get arrested for that in most if not all states. Side note: How many times do you think he might have done this without you knowing? He probably has done this more than once before. Get him help for the sake of all of us before its too late and he moves on to people.
2007-03-22 09:03:10 · answer #3 · answered by Eisbär 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes. Check out the Dr. Phil site - he had a special on tv within the last year, 7 signs/traits your child will become a murderer. Torturing/killing animals was on the list. Definitely take him to see someone, hurting animals is wrong and sick. High IQ has nothing to do with it. I hope you can find a qualified person to help you. Good luck.
2007-03-22 09:09:15 · answer #4 · answered by gator girl 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cruelty to animals is often a first sign of later violent crimes against people, too. It definitely would be worth talking to your pediatrician about your concerns.
PS - When animals are purchased "for the kids" (even at 16) a parent or other adult must alway monitor the care of pets in the house to make sure they are being cared for properly.
2007-03-23 02:14:08 · answer #5 · answered by ABC Gerbils 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hmmm, this is hard to say. I would just take him to a psychiatrist, maybe, and have an evalutation done. I mean, does he have a high interest in science? This sounds like it could be somthing to be alarmed about, but on the other hand, maybe not. Have him checked please.
After reading the others answers, I would have to strongly agree with them!! I didn't know that about Jeffrey Dahmer!!
2007-03-22 09:02:13 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Very definately and if you do not get him help right away, you would be asking for trouble.
It's been found through many studies that serial killers all tortured and killed animals in their youths.
Please get him to a hospital right away to see a psychiatrist on call. They may wish to keep him in, to evaluate him.
And for God's sake, don't let him have or go near any more animals in the future!!! He should be charged with animal cruelty.
2007-03-22 09:03:39 · answer #7 · answered by NewGrandma 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You darling son needs (and has needed since he was 8) psychological counselling and observation. Almost all mass murderers and people found guilty of hate crimes started out exactly like your son. How can you possibly end your question with a statement that reads, "Even though he doesn't have a history of mental issues....?" HE DOES HAVE A HISTORY. IT STARTED WHEN HE WAS 8 AND HE IS STILL DOING SICK, PERVERTED, HATEFUL ACTIONS.
2007-03-22 09:05:56 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I do not say this to alarm you, but in all seriousness for the sake of your son, but Jeffrey Dahmer tortured and killed animals when he was young. Other serial killers have as well. He may have some fascination with killing, and the fact that he doesn't feel guilt is potentially alarming.
Tell him he's going to see a therapist, and if he complains, tell him it's to make yoou feel better, not him.
2007-03-22 09:03:02 · answer #9 · answered by Year of the Monkey 5 · 4⤊ 0⤋
He needs help, just find him a more intelligent therapist as it sounds like he may take advantage of the situation. How old are u? You are a junior in college and have a 16 year old son?
2007-03-25 15:23:08 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋