A serial killer is an individual who murders a series of victims over a period of time, typically with gaps between each killing. Some serial killers kidnap and or torture their victims before murdering them. While it’s not always clear what motivates serial killers to commit such heinous acts, abnormal thought processes—notably severe antisocial tendencies—are to blame. In society, serial killers often generate fascination along with fear ; their crimes tend to bring notoriety, media attention
When Serial Killers Becomes Part of Your Identity
Living with serial killers over time can lead to a fusion of identity and diagnosis. You may find yourself thinking "I am serial killers" rather than "I have serial killers." This identity fusion has significant consequences:
- Reduces motivation (why try if this is just who I am?)
- Increases shame and stigma internalization
- Makes recovery feel like losing part of yourself
- Limits how others see you (and how you see yourself)
Reclaiming a Multidimensional Identity
Your identity is vastly larger than serial killers. A powerful exercise: complete this sentence 20 times with anything other than your struggles:
"I am someone who ___________"
Values, roles, relationships, interests, history, capabilities — all form your identity.
Serial Killers as One Chapter, Not the Whole Story
Narrative therapy offers a powerful reframe: serial killers is one story in a much larger life narrative. You are the author, not the character defined by struggle.
Externalizing the problem: Practice talking about "Serial Killers that visits me" rather than "my Serial Killers." This linguistic shift creates psychological distance and agency.
Building Identity Beyond Serial Killers
- Invest in relationships that see your full self, not just your struggles
- Pursue interests unrelated to mental health — art, sport, learning, creativity
- Find meaning — purpose larger than symptom management provides identity anchor
- Contribute to others — giving to others builds positive identity components
- Celebrate growth — document how you've changed, overcome, adapted
The Strengths That Serial Killers Builds
Many people find that navigating serial killers develops genuine strengths: deep empathy, resilience, self-awareness, creativity, and a hard-won wisdom about what matters in life.