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I read this book about twenty years ago and it really freaked me out. At the time, my kids were little and I just couldn't imagine how a mother gets so messed up that she does such things to her kids.
I don't know what happened to my original book but I reordered it the other day and just got it in today so I'm looking forward to rereading it after I'm done with my current book.
I can't even listen to that song Hungry Like the Wolf by Duran Duran after reading that book - I turn it off every time it comes on now. The horror of her crimes and just her basic mindset really stuck with me.
A question I have is was Diane Downs born the way she was or was that developed through time. Maybe no one knows and maybe its a combination of the two or more than two factors.
Sociopath with severe narcissistic characteristics, a touch of histrionic personality disorder and dissociative identity disorder.
Possibly a touch of bipolar as well.
I think I recall reading that book, but maybe not. I was familiar with the case because it really struck a nerve with me. I need to hit the library or crank up the kindle.
I read this book about twenty years ago and it really freaked me out. At the time, my kids were little and I just couldn't imagine how a mother gets so messed up that she does such things to her kids.
I don't know what happened to my original book but I reordered it the other day and just got it in today so I'm looking forward to rereading it after I'm done with my current book.
I can't even listen to that song Hungry Like the Wolf by Duran Duran after reading that book - I turn it off every time it comes on now. The horror of her crimes and just her basic mindset really stuck with me.
I read this book maybe fifteen years ago and still to this day I cannot listen to that song without thinking of those children. I can't imagine how terrified they must have been.
Just several months ago I caught an old episode of Dateline (or one of those crime shows) & saw the interview with her youngest child, the one that she was pregnant with during her trial and all these years later Diane is still sticking to her story. Diane Downs is pure evil through and through.
It is interesting that unlike most people being accused of a crime she doesn't keep her thoughts to herself but talks and talks and talks. But she is really smart in that she doesn't reveal anything that will incriminate her. She would have made a good lawyer.
Yes, she is evil. But what I question is whether or not she was born evil or became that way somehow.
Having just re-read the book, I would score her with a combo platter of Axis II, Cluster B disorders -- Borderline, Narcissistic and Antisocial.
ok DD is NOT borderline she is a PSYCHOPATH.
Borderlines have extremely dysfunctional lives and SELF HARM - they repeatedly attempt suicide and frequently (always) slash themselves to ribbons
DD does not show ANY signs of self hatred, which BPD is...actually, the exact opposite.
I suggest she was BORN THIS WAY. Possibly had a good/ok/regular upbringing but has spent her life using others as mere pawns in her own personal performance of Diane the Fabulous.
I think I recall reading that book, but maybe not. I was familiar with the case because it really struck a nerve with me. I need to hit the library or crank up the kindle.
ok you don't GET a "touch" of bipolar.
You either are or you aren't.
I have NEVER seen or read any indication that DD plummets into the bipolar depressions so - no.
No matter what mental health dxs she had,it didn't make her a killer, It wouldn't to anyone else either. I think mental health dxs are one thing, but being a murderer/murderess is another thing. Even paranoid schizophrenics don't kill anymore than anyone else. Or, other types of psychotics. They co exist together, but that's it.
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