Lex Luthor (Smallville)
Antisocial Personality Disorder
Symptoms
- Killed his father with no remorse
- Wants to expose Clark and ruin his life
- Killed his half sister
- Purposely falsified his wife's pregnancy
Course and Progression of the Disorder
Lex lost his mother at a young age, after which his relationship with his father was strained. Lex had few close relationships with others, causing him to have trouble forming them as he grew. When Lex hit Clark with his car, discovering Clark's secret became an obsession which eventually took over Lex's life. Lex became manipulative, using others to get to Clark and feeling no remorse after. Lex married the woman that Clark loved then he gave her hormones which caused her to exhibit symptoms of pregnancy without her knowledge. He killed multiple people who threatened his path to success in discovering Clark's secret and then exposing him. Lex soon also murdered his father, even looking him in the eyes as he did so. Lex also killed his half-sister for interfering with his plans. Lex shows little to no remorse for his actions when killing his victims. Even when he murdered his father, Lex not only expressed no regret, but he even looked his father in the eye while purposely pushing him out of a window to fall to his death. This action reflects Lex's lack of empathy as a result of ASPD.
Prevalence
Between 1 and 3% of the general population suffers from ASPD, and most are males. By adolescence, symptoms are usually noticeable, after which they progress with age.
Etiology
Lex was a victim of the meteor shower that accompanied Clark's arrival, which left him bald for life. Lex lost his mother at a young age, after which his relationship with his father was strained. Lex had few close relationships with others as a child, causing him to have trouble forming them as he grew. When Lex hit Clark with his car and noticed Clark's impossibly healthy state, Lex became obsessed with discovering Clark's secret. Lex's obsession caused him to do anything to find out the truth, which involved hurting others with no remorse along the way.
Therapy
Psychotherapy
Lex would benefit from psychotherapy as a means of encouraging him to analyze his emotions in relation to his actions. By regularly meeting with a therapist, Lex can discuss his actions and identify their causes in terms of his emotions and impulses.
Cognitive Therapy
Cognitive therapy would also benefit Lex because it involves Lex thinking about how his actions affect the victims of said actions. Lex would also work on his impulsivity which has often been the direct cause of his problems in relation to ASPD.
Smallville Lex Luthor-The Villian
Works Cited
- Zeeman, Greg, dir. Smallville. 16 Oct. 2001. Television.
- Myers, David G. "Unit XII: Abnormal Behavior." Myers' Psychology for AP. New York, NY: Worth, 2011. 649-706. Print.
- Myers, David G. "Unit XIII: Treatment of Abnormal Behavior." Myers' Psychology for AP. New York, NY: Worth, 2011. 707-52. Print.
- http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/prevalence/antisocial-personality-disorder.shtml