There has been a succession of spectacular acts of public violence and terrorism over the last few months, including the murder of the CEO of the insurance company United Healthcare, Brian Thompson, in New York, the suicide of army veteran Matthew Livelsberger in Las Vegas and the car attack in Magdeburg, Germany.
It is tempting to explain these puzzling events as products of mental disorders. The same types of explanations are frequently heard for the unorthodox decisions of United States President Donald Trump. But are these explanations legitimate, or even a good idea?
