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A psychopath does not simply wake up one day as an adult and begin demonstrating psychopathic traits. Much research tracks the emergence of callous-unemotional behavior and traits in such children from early age.1 Their impact is often seen and felt in family and school settings. It is fair to expect that parents often suffer as their psychopathic children's victims, yet seldom do we think about the effect these children have on them.

Turmoil and confusion are likely to beset the parents. A child’s intentional callous, unemotional responses and actions may lead parents to seek professional counseling assistance for the child and cause recrimination and self-blame. If the child’s actions have triggered school authorities, social service agencies or law enforcement, a spiral of diagnostic evaluations and investigations may ensue.

Often, investigations include family and close friends. Wounds are opened, raw emotionality is likely and the parents may experience struggle, anguish, and even humiliation or shame. If a situation becomes high-profile, newspaper articles and media attention can mire the entire family in disgrace. Life can be shattered.

Parents Receive No Sympathy

John Edens, a clinical psychologist at Texas A & M University, has cautioned, “This isn’t like autism, where the child and parents will find support. Even if accurate, it’s a ruinous diagnosis. No one is........

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