June, 2005

Under a form of an insanity plea, a teenager with Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) who killed his parents last summer, admitted guilt to charges of manslaughter and will effectively spend the rest of his life in jail. Top student Brian Blackwell, of Melling in Merseyside, who achieved 4As in his A-levels and was due to begin studying medicine at Nottingham, bludgeoned his parents to death during what was believed to be an altercation – before running away and spending his parents’ money with his girlfriend.

NPD is a recognised mental disorder, and one who suffers from this are known to have an over-inflated sense of self, and are over pre-occupied with themselves. They are known to be compulsive liars, and when their lies are challenged, they have a propensity to become violent. Blackwell fancied himself to be the top youth tennis player in Britain, and even forged a Lawn Tennis Association letter saying that likewise – and according to some reports, even made his girlfriend his manager. In living his charade as a professional tennis player, Blackwell even test drove luxury cars, which was believed to be the source of the altercation that led to his parent’s murder.

Medline Plus lists the following as symptoms of NPD:

* Reacts to criticism with feelings or rage, shame, or humiliation
* Takes advantage of others to achieve own goals
* Has feelings of self-importance
* Exaggerates achievements and talents
* Is preoccupied with fantasies of success, power, beauty, intelligence, or ideal love
* Has unreasonable expectations of favorable treatment
* Requires constant attention and admiration
* Lacks empathy

While many would uncannily admit to ‘having’ mental disorders that have been made popular by the media such as OCD or depression, I wonder how many would admit to be undergoing treatment for something such as NPD. Then again, as experts argue, NPD sufferers have such an inflated sense of self, they would never believe anything was wrong with them; hence making therapy and treatment difficult. What little I do know of mental disorders is that it is nothing like what they popularise on TV, and for those who suffer from it, it’s hell of a lot scarier than you think. There are moments when it could seem funny, but not quite a laughing matter.

Malcolm Glazer’s three sons: Joel, Avi and Bryan, newly appointed to the Manchester United board, flew in to Manchester to see, view and inspect what could well be used as part of their collateral, Old Trafford. What could have only been pegged down as a stop-and-whistle tour is fast turning into quite something else – as I am writing this, hundreds of United fans have barricaded all the ways out of the stadium, effectively locking the new owners in.

With chants of “You’re not.. you’re not.. you’re not going home tonight”, it seemed as if every possible barrier has been erected around the exits, and ITV News reports of riot vans being brought in to help Malcolm’s boys out in a convoy. The ITV reporter on site, however, was not convinced the standoff would end any time soon.

They may have won over the footballing authorities, who were happy that the takeover would not damage tv arrangements, among other things; but it will take quite a lot more to win over the heart and soul of the club. I am prepared to eat humble pie if Glazer and co do the club a mass of good; but until I see lower (or at least, inflation level growth of) ticket prices, cheaper merchandise and more access to the average fan, I can’t see much hope for any of us.