I just read about William Macdonald, who operated as a serial killer in Australia in the 1950s, killing and mutilating six people before he was arrested and locked up for the rest of his life. He died a few days ago at age 90. About 20 years ago he was interviewed and said that he never wanted to be released because, on the outside, "I wouldn't last five minutes." The article described him as "institutionalized"--not in the sense of being confined to an institution, but in the sense of having been habituated to a life devoid of freedom and therefore no longer capable of being free.
Although I'm not a serial killer, and am not formally institutionalized, I have been stuck in my father's apartment for the better part of the last 40 years. My family has always denigrated me and treated me as incompetent and worthless. As a result, I really HAVE become incompetent and worthless, and could no longer survive if I lived on my own.
Has anyone else had this happen to them or know of someone else it has happened to?
Although I'm not a serial killer, and am not formally institutionalized, I have been stuck in my father's apartment for the better part of the last 40 years. My family has always denigrated me and treated me as incompetent and worthless. As a result, I really HAVE become incompetent and worthless, and could no longer survive if I lived on my own.
Has anyone else had this happen to them or know of someone else it has happened to?