A Psychodynamic look at the case of Luigi Mangione

I can write this because I am not a Psychologist. Additionally, I have a degree in psychology (cum laude, 1996, MSCD) and worked in the Field for five years. Moreover, I’ve been a student of psychology and people my whole life. Those are my credentials.

I think Luigi Mangione suffered from an, not uncommon, Oedipal Complex*. However, his action was extremely uncommon. Let’d get into it from a Psychodynamic perspective. In other words, Freudian.

Psychodynamic Theory

or Freudian theory is, in essence, to make the unconscious conscious. My experience has led me to think that most human behavior is motivated by unconscious needs, wants, and desires  unknown to the actor. The repression of those are what Freud called “Ego Defense Mechanisms”*. The gist of this is: We don’t truly understand, or know, why we do what we do.

Transference

is the ego defense of transferring thoughts and feelings you have for one person onto another person. Because they are not allowed, or prohibited. I.e. taboo toward the true object/person. Such as love or hate for a parent.

Often such feelings surface in the safe space of therapy; and the feelings are transferred onto the therapist. The patient/client, without awareness, loves and/or hates the provider – who if skilled, can then engage the client with the client’s own unconscious feelings. Which are often fantasy.

Spondylolisthesis

is a condition of severe back pain caused by … growing pains? It manifests by disc vertebra slippage wherein there is bone-on-bone friction. I suffered from it playing football when I was fifteen. I quit playing football and my spine is fine now.

As reported, Luigi suffered from it at about the same age. However, after an initial psychosomatic diagnosis*, surgery was done and pins were placed in his back. Apparently, he suffers from acute pain intermittently. Because of the surgery?

Healthcare

or treatment for whatever you suffer from can be expensive. But this would not be an issue for the Mangione family because they are super wealthy. Unless … ? What? We don’t know. I’m going to guess family relations.

As I’ve written about before, health and well-being has six elements: Mental, Physical, Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Economic. And that they are all connected. Like a baby’s mobile hanging above the crib, tap one and they all move.*

Notwithstanding, I find the idea that Luigi had a just reason for violence against the CEO of a health insurance provider preposterous. I think that act was symbolic and convenient for other reasons.

The Secret Language of Birthdays

is a book about personality. It was published in 1994, four years before Luigi was born. His birthday is May 6th, the same day as Sigmund Freud. May Sixth is “THE DAY OF MATERIALIZED FANTASY”. The author, Gary Goldschneider, posits that those born on that day can take one of two ways: “Being sympathetic, even empathic with others [Freud] or in embodying the fantasies of others, in essence, being a star.”*

In Conclusion

What is Luigi Mangione now but a star? One who acted out the fantasies of others, certainly, by gunning down a symbol of real suffering for millions of Americans. However, his real target may have been his own father, unknown to him.

It seems likely that his high-flying lawyer will plead insanity, as Luigi has already admitted to the crime (in his writings). Is he insane?

No more than any of us except, the vast, vast majority of us don’t act out in such a cold-blooded fashion. Something happened to this man-child.

We’ll probably never know what really happened – the true story of Luigi Mangione’s life. Maybe he’ll get psychiatric care in prison, if convicted. But real, true psychodynamic analysis? I doubt it. Moreover, if he did it’s confidential. He’ll likely be found guilty and join John Hinckley* with a diagnosis of schizophrenia, and treated with anti-psychotic drugs.

Interestingly, John Hinckley’s birthday is May 29th, THE DAY OF QUICKSILVER. And also the birthday of John F. Kennedy, the 35th president of the United States. The profile is chilling.

All of which is to say: We don’t know why or what causes people to do what they do. However, the psychodynamic approach to understanding is worth consideration. Especially when people are suffering.

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* Oedipal Complex – the unconscious (usually) desire to kill your father. Because he is a rival for your mother’s affection. Also, because you fear him.

* Ego Defense ~ unconscious behaviors to protect the self from reality, albeit helpful in self-preservation.

*Psychosomatic refers to real physical symptoms caused by thoughts and feelings (often unconscious).

* I first heard this analogy in a seminar, HOMECOMING, by John Bradshaw, in 1990. It made sense to me and has stuck with me.

*The Secret Language of Birthdays I find fascinating. It’s a novel approach to personality based upon the seasons and specific day a person is born. The author’s research was extensive, based on public knowledge of biographies of famous persons.

*John Hinckley, in 1981, attempted to assassinate President Ronald Reagan. He was 26 (the same age as Luigi). Hinckley was from a very wealthy family and acting out a twisted fantasy of heroism and love.