harry potter - Would Severus Snape be classified with ASPD?

Given the standard definition (DSM, ICD), as well as the breadth of character info in canon, is there any solid basis in classifying Severus Snape as having Antisocial Personality Disorder (aka highly-functioning sociopath)?

Answer

TL;DR: Being a Slytherin, of course Severus Snape has Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD)!

BUT SERIOUSLY: Snape may possibly meet the criteria for ASPD. He does exhibit some diagnostic criteria for ASPD. But it's certainly not clear cut.

CAVEAT: The answer, I believe, to this question is that it is clinically impossible to conduct an accurate forensic evaluation on a fictional character. The character's full mind is inside his/her author's head, and, in this case, we do not have access to J.K. Rowling to assist us with a comprehensive forensic deconstruction of Severus Snape.

Conversely, it is possible for a writer to construct a fictional character using certain psychological elements, criteria that becomes discernible to the reader (Hannibal, anyone?). Further, it is more challenging to evaluate a character when the character in question is written in the third person, rather than first person singular. In the former's case, we glean only the nuances of the author's choosing, rather than be allowed to fully view the character's personality from the character's own thoughts and point of view. Furthermore, no one has full insight into their psychology; to expect a fictional character to be a psychological open book is unrealistic at best. So, for me, answering this question should be considered an exercise in entertainment, and entertainment alone, although I will give it my best effort¹ ².

Okay, so all that said, we at least know Snape is no Voldemort, the latter who was indeed a psychopath.

Darchey: Did Voldemort ever love a girl?

J.K. Rowling: No, he loved only power, and himself. He valued people whom he could use to advance his own objectives.

_{The Leaky Cauldron - Webchat with J.K. Rowling - 07.30.07}

That would be a description of classic psychopathy.

Lechicaneuronline: Do you think Snape is a hero?

J.K. Rowling: Yes, I do; though a very flawed hero. An anti-hero, perhaps. He is not a particularly likeable man in many ways. He remains rather cruel, a bully, riddled with bitterness and insecurity – and yet he loved, and showed loyalty to that love and, ultimately, laid down his life because of it. That’s pretty heroic!

_{The Leaky Cauldron - Webchat with J.K. Rowling - 07.30.07}

It occurs to me -- while Snape may be quick on the draw verbally and is able to slice someone to the quick with his verbal abuse and bullying, and has an inability to work through emotions, choosing instead to remain bitter over real or perceived slights (And not just a tad bit histrionic about James Potter!) -- is that J.K. Rowling indicates he is insecure, yes, but also has qualities he values in himself. His self-loathing is not whole.

As a reader, I certainly see Snape wearing his insecurities on his sleeve, yet, more so, I see Snape's bravery. Those with ASPD do not often harbor a great deal of insecurities -- indeed, quite the opposite: Grandiose, always-in-charge, toxic know-it-alls are typically more ASPD than someone who is just angry, hurt, or emotionally insecure. In my estimation, Snape lacks the genuinely calculated quality of ASPD, for how would his particular outbursts benefit him? Dumbledore, and once Lily, were the only two persons who understood Snape; to everyone else, his outbursts make him look a bit unhinged and out of control (See Prisoner of Azkaban where Fudge witnesses Snape have a meltdown; Fudge sure raised an eyebrow!). ASPD meltdowns are calculated and purposeful in the hopes of personal gain.

Hannah: Why was Snape so badly groomed?

J.K. Rowling: Hmm. Good question. Poor eyesight? Did he look in the mirror and believe he was gorgeous as he was? I think it more likely that he valued other qualities in himself!

_{The Leaky Cauldron - Webchat with J.K. Rowling - 07.30.07}

CRITERIA: ASPD can be diagnosed by identifying significant impairments in personality functioning in self functioning (identity and self-direction) and interpersonal functioning (empathy and intimacy) and, as well, pathological personality traits in the domains of antagonism (manipulativeness, deceitfulness, callousness, and hostility) and disinhibition (irresponsibility, impulsivity, and risk taking).

1. SELF FUNCTIONING: I don't see ego-centricism as a source of identity in Snape; personally, I see self-loathing. That said, he certainly derived self-esteem from personal gain, power, and pleasure (joining the Death Eaters; his deep love for the Dark Arts). He did prioritize personal gratification; he did lack many, but not all, prosocial internal standards; these were associated with a failure on Snape's part to conform to lawful and culturally normative ethical behavior, as Snape prioritized the Dark Arts and the Death Eaters, neither of which were routinely encouraged or engaged.


2. INTERPERSONAL FUNCTIONING: Snape often demonstrated a lack of empathy for others, his biggest blunder being when he asked Dumbledore to save Lily -- and only Lily -- from Voldemort, causing Dumbledore to tell Snape, "You disgust me." In time, though, he gained some maturity in empathy and grudgingly protected Harry over the years. He was even disturbed when he learned Dumbledore had known all along that they were raising Harry to his death. Snape was very poor at intimate relationships; as far as we know, Lily was Snape's only friend ever, and he destroyed their friendship and potential romance through his alliance with the Death Eaters. But Snape did love Lily, a feat that most individuals with ASPD are unable to do in a truly meaningful way. He did not show an incapacity for intimacy, nor did he demonstrate continued coercion, deceit, or exploitation toward Lily.


3. ANTAGONISM: Surprisingly, Snape does not demonstrate outright manipulation very frequently in the series (He is what he is, he knows it, and he proceeds outright with impunity.). He does try, unsuccessfully, to manipulate Lily into accepting his penchant for the Dark Arts and his yearning to become a Death Eater. Later, as an adult double agent, deceitfulness became par for the course. Snape played his part and played it well, "dangling on the arm of Voldemort" for years while his true loyalty lay with the Order. He was callous -- a Death Eater had to be. I think it was part of his nature as well, though. Was he hostile? Incredibly. Whether his hostility rose from his upbringing, the bullying he endured, losing the girl he loved, or was just plain innate is for the reader to decide. The hostility was ingrained, though.


4. DISINHIBITION: It may surprise you when I say I don't believe Snape demonstrated irresponsibility per se, all the time. The scene with Snape taking his O.W.L.s in Order of the Phoenix shows us a conscientious boy who valued his studies and grades. Attention to studies and school is not always consistent with ASPD. On the other hand, I think it's fair to call Snape impulsive. His pernicious curiosity leads him close to a near fatal encounter with Remus Lupin when he is in werewolf form, in the tunnel leading from the Whomping Willow to the Shrieking Shack. It leads him to lash out at James Potter with what many believe to be Sectumsempra when James verbally taunts him following their O.W.L.s. He calls Lily, the love of his life, a "Mudblood" when embarrassed. He impetuously ends Harry's Occlumency lessons without Dumbledore's permission, leading Dumbledore to have to admit he was wrong in thinking Snape could put his feelings for James Potter and Harry aside in order to do the right thing. He runs to tell Voldemort the prophecy before he has heard it all. He can't control his tongue around Harry. He steals letters that don't belong to him and destroys photographs so that the object of his affection remains only for him to claim. Becoming a Death Eater was risky, dangerous, and potentially self-damaging (see Regulus Black and his demise). Did he think through the consequences of becoming a Death Eater? Probably not. He was too enamoured of the "dark glamour" that came with being with the group of pre-Death Eaters, and of the Dark Arts. Snape did not seem prone to boredom, nor is there evidence he engaged in thoughtless activities to relieve boredom (We do not know the circumstances under which he created spells such as Sectumsempra or perfected his potions-making abilities.). However, while canon doesn't show us at what exact point Snape knew he would have to die, when or how it would be that he would expend that personal limitation, he certainly was not in denial when it came to the reality of his personal danger. He begged Dumbledore not to kill him when he first left Voldemort; he pledged "anything" to protect Lily, which would presumably include his own life. At the end of his life, he walked into the arms of death, eyes wide open.


5. OTHER: Snape's personality traits were relatively stable across time and situations.


6. OTHER: Snape's personality impairments may have been better understood as normative for his developmental stage or socio-cultural environment, although clearly Snape's personality arrested before he could learn different coping skills. It is important to point out that Snape grew up in an abusive, neglectful home, with unengaged parents, domestic violence, and alcoholism. These factors would certainly influence the development of his personality, but not necessarily ASPD.


7. OTHER: Snape's personality traits were not due to either a general medical condition or substance abuse or addiction.



8. OTHER: Snape demonstrated concerning personality traits both prior to the age of 15 and after the age of 18, which is a criteria of ASPD.

Here's the rub: Many of the criteria used to diagnose ASPD are co-morbid with other personality disorders. Many of the traits I've listed above can be found in other personality disorders, such as Avoidant Personality Disorder, Borderline Personality Disorder, Narcissistic Personality Disorder, Schizotypal Personality Disorder, General Personality Disorder, Personality Disorder NOS, and, yes, even Obsessive Compulsive Disorder! Also, it's possible to have co-morbid personality disorders, meaning more than one personality disorder at a given time. Some personality disorders can "mellow" as the subject ages, such as ASPD and Borderline Personality Disorder. Some tend to be pervasive, such as Narcissistic Personality Disorder. Personality disorders, in general, are notoriously difficult to treat and often do not respond to therapeutic or pharmacological (or potions!) intervention. Snape did show an arc of change, albeit imperfect.

ANSWER: Snape may possibly meet the criteria for ASPD. He does exhibit some diagnostic criteria for ASPD. But it's certainly not clear cut.

¹_{I'm looking at the DSM-V (PDF); for those who are unsure what the DSM-V is, "DSM" is the Diagnostic Statistical Manual, and the "V" indicates it is version five. It is the book of guidelines and symptoms trained diagnosticians use to diagnose personality disorders and mental and behavioral illnesses}.

²_{For an Abnormal Psychology class back in university, my lab partner and I were given the task of administering the MMPI to a fictional character of our choosing. We chose Spock, thinking Yes! Surely Spock'll be WAY effed up! He came out as totally normal, aside from a slight tendency toward paranoia.}