Evil Deeds

A Forensic Psychologist on Anger, Madness and Destructive Behavior

Dr. Stephen Diamond is a clinical and forensic psychologist in LA and the author of Anger, Madness, and the Daimonic: The Psychological Genesis of Violence, Evil, and Creativity. See full bio

December 16, 2008

Evil and the Manson Mystique

What is it about diabolical crimes like the infamous Manson "family" murders that still fascinate us so? I was interviewed not long ago for a one-hour television documentary titled "Manson's Missing Victims," to be aired this Thursday, December 18, at 9 PM on the Investigation Discovery cable channel. Read More

November 30, 2008

Truth, Lies and Self-Deception

None of us are beyond deceiving ourselves. Such self-deception, which in its most extreme and pathological forms we deem delusional, is much more pervasive than most imagine.

November 21, 2008

Evil and the Death of Innocence

Blind optimism about human nature and denial of the human capacity for destructiveness makes us all the more vulnerable to evil. Read More

November 7, 2008

The Therapeutic Power of Sleep

Sleep is a highly underrated activity! Read More

October 26, 2008

Did Casey Kill Caylee? : A Forensic Psychologist Comments on the Case

What is the perspective and potential role of forensic psychology in sensational cases such as the State of Florida v. Casey Anthony? Read More

September 26, 2008

Do Both Obama and McCain Have Anger Problems?

As a clinical psychologist, I want to comment on a recent pre-debate posting by bloggist Mo Rocca titled "Obama's Anger Problem." Mr. Rocca writes: "Obama may be the candidate with the anger problem -- a problem in that it seems he can't get angry. Or is it that he doesn't think he can let us see him get mad? Whatever it is, it's a problem that could cost him the election."

September 15, 2008

Is Depression a Disease? ( Part 2): The Great Debate

As mentioned in my previous post, there are certain inherent problems with applying the medical or disease model to mental disorders in general--and to depression in particular. If you follow this link, it will lead you to a fascinating, spirited and intellectually stimulating transcript of a televised debate featuring PT blogger Dr. Peter Kramer, Dr. Thomas Szasz and others on the controversial question of whether or not depression is a disease. Read More

September 1, 2008

Is Depression a Disease?

What is depression? Is it a disease? A mental disorder? Biochemical imbalance? A brain dysfunction? A psychological syndrome? An existential or spiritual crisis? Several of my fellow PT bloggers posted on depression recently. I want to discuss depression here as a clinical and forensic psychologist who has been practicing psychotherapy for more than three decades. Read More

August 24, 2008

Existential and Mythological Perspectives on Procrastination: A Response to Dr. Pychyl's Post

What secrets can we learn from Hercules, Sisyphus and Dr. Viktor Frankl about conquering procrastination?

August 14, 2008

Denial and the De-Souling of Psychotherapy: A Reply to "Is Psychotherapy Dying?"

Psychotherapy is dying. Psychotherapy's very survival is critically threatened. That is not the question. The only real questions are these: What are we going to do? Can psychotherapy be saved? If its demise is inevitable, can psychotherapy be resurrected? Must psychotherapy in its current incarnation die and be reborn in some renewed, more vital form? How can we restore psychotherapy's soul? Read More

Books by Dr. Stephen A. Diamond, Ph.D.

Anger, Madness, and the Daimonic: The Psychological Genesis of Violence, Evil and Creativity (Suny Series in the Philosophy of Psychology)

Law and Crime Basics

Psychology and the law intersect in the field of forensic science. Legal practitioners require a grasp of human motivation at its most basic and most debased in order to render fair judgment.

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Books by Dr. Stephen A. Diamond, Ph.D.

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