SWOT. I think the psychologist believes there is a personality disorder. But this cannot be diagnosed until adulthood. That is why the conduct disorder diagnosis exists, to be a placeholder until the diagnosis can be made. I think so.
But everything she is saying is consistent with personality disorder. It just sounds like she thinks it is not Anti-social Personality disorder; maybe she is thinking Schizoid Personality Disorder.
Sumsky will make her choices. She knows she can move out. She has already made that contingency plan a few months ago.
I for one do not believe this stepson should be sacrificed. I think he is ill. And he needs help. The decisions have to be made by the parents, if they want to keep the family unified or not. And by Sumsky about what serves her daughter. Separating the family units, or staying together. But what can Sumsky do? Can she realistically insist that stepson be hospitalized, or should she allow for a process to occur, as she has been doing? If stepson has a break, he could well be put in residential. But forcing it now? I don't know.
Sumsky's daughter is older than were your children. Her daughter can grow into understanding. She may not understand now, but there is a way of looking at this, and helping daughter understand, that can help daughter be a bigger person. Daughter is safe now. Stepson is not allowed near her.
Is daughter really served by "an eye for an eye?" Because that would be what it would be if the son had to be sacrificed. He did what he did, but the psychologist does not believe he acts with cunning and with malice. He did not do it as a predator, it seems the psychologist is saying.
Most of all, I believe Sumsky will know what to do to protect her daughter and to help her. Whether that is therapy, or separating the households, or something else, I believe Sumsky will know. She may decide to separate for now. But who are we to say? Each situation is unique.
But I understand that her husband (and Sumsky) want to support this boy. I think all of them are growing into a difficult situation that they fear may grow worse. But it may not. It sounds like stepson stepped up whether because of denial or ignorance, who knows.
