Abusers sometimes argue that their behavior was “out of their control” due to a psychiatric disorder. The reasons include:
- Diminished responsibility defense: They hope the court will see them as less culpable because of a mental disorder.
- Stigma and manipulation: Claiming illness can create sympathy or reduce public outrage.
- Avoiding consequences: If successful, they might get treatment instead of prison, or a lighter sentence.
From a psychological perspective, this is often a form of rationalization — a defense mechanism where the brain justifies behavior to reduce guilt. In neuroscience terms, areas like the prefrontal cortex (responsible for judgment and impulse control) and amygdala (emotional processing) are key. If someone tries to “blame the brain,” it’s often a manipulation of how people understand these systems rather than a true loss of control.
2. How the brain is actually involved
- Impulse control and executive function: The prefrontal cortex regulates impulses. People with some disorders may have weaker inhibitory control, but this does not erase moral understanding or the capacity to seek help.
- Reward pathways: Sexual behavior activates dopamine circuits. In pedophilic disorder, these circuits may respond abnormally to sexual cues involving children, but the brain is not overriding ethical reasoning — adult individuals still know the act is wrong.
- Neuroplasticity and treatment: Therapy and medications can reduce harmful impulses. Neuroscience shows that self-awareness and intervention can help people avoid acting on deviant urges, which reinforces that mental illness is a call for help, not a free pass for abuse.
3. How the legal system sees it
Courts are generally very clear:
- Mental illness does not excuse crimes unless it meets a strict definition of legal insanity (e.g., the person could not distinguish right from wrong at the time).
- Most abusers fail this defense because even with disorders, they usually understand their actions are illegal and harmful.
- Treatment orders vs. imprisonment: Courts may mandate psychiatric treatment as part of sentencing, but it is in addition to accountability, not in place of it.
4. Why this distinction matters
Understanding the neuroscience and psychology helps:
- Victims: They deserve justice, and excuses shouldn’t minimize the harm done.
- Prevention: Proper treatment and supervision for those struggling with urges can prevent abuse.
- Society: It discourages dangerous rationalizations and clarifies that “mental illness” ≠ immunity from responsibility.
