This is a reprint of some material that I collected.  Given the current
discussion, I feel that it is pertinent.  

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------

Both Kodachi and Tatewaki qualify as having a histrionic personality
disorder.  To quote from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental
Disorders, 4th edition (APA 1994) - 

"A pervasive pattern of excessive emotionality and attention seeking,
beginning by early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts, as
indicated by five (or more) of the following:

 Is uncomfortable in situations in which he or shee is not the center of
attention

 Interaction with others is often characterized by inappropriate sexually
seductive or provocative behavior.

 Displays rapidly shifting and shallow expression of emotions

 Consistently uses physical appearance to draw attention to self

 Has a style of speech that is excessively impressionistic and lacking in
detail

 Shows self-dramatization, theatricality, and exaggerated expression of
emotion

 Is suggestible, i.e. easily influenced by others or circumstances

 Considers relationships to be more intimate than they really are"



  Kodachi also has some of the characteristics of an antisocial personality
disorder.  The disorder is characterized "by a pattern of socially
irresponsible, exploitative, and guiltless behavior, as evidenced by
failure to conform to law, failure to sustain consistent employment,
exploitation and manipulation of others for personal gain, deception, and
failure to develop stable relationships".

The DSM-4 criteria are:

  A.  Current age at least 18.

  B.  Evidence of conduct disorder with onset before age 15.

  C.  A pervasive pattern of disregard for and violation of the rights of
others occurring since age 15, as indicated by at least three of the
following:

      1. Failure to conform to social norms with respect to lawful
behaviors, as indicated by repeatedly performong acts that are grounds for
arrest.

      2. Deceitfulness, as indicated by repeated lying, use of aliases, or
conning others for personal profit or pleasure.

      3. Impulsivity or failure to plan ahead. 

      4. Irritability and aggresiveness, as indicated by repeated physical
fights or assaults.

      5. Reckless disregard for safety of self or others.

      6. Consistent irresponsibility, as indicated by repeated failure to
sustain consistent work behavior or honor financial obligations.

      7. Lack of remorse, as indicated by being indifferent to or
rationalizing having hurt, mistreated, or stolen from another.

  D.  Occurrence of antisocial behavior is not exclusively during the
course of schizophrenia or a manic episode.


  
  Obviously Kodachi doesn't meet A, and I don't know about B.  However, she
does meet C-1 and 7, and possibly 5.  Although this disorder is not
considered as serious as schizophrenia from a psychiatric standpoint, this
disorder is bad news.  Another name for people with this problem is
"sociopath".  Furthermore, a fully developed case is extremely difficult to
treat due to the lack of empathy and insight (on the part of the patient)
and drugs seem to be of limited usefulness.  Kodachi seems to be treading
perilously close to becoming one.  However, her attachment to Ranma would
serve as an opening for long-term therapy.  The histrionic personality
disorder has been linked to antisocial personality disorder and both show
evidence of a hereditary basis.  Treatment of either involves long-term
therapy, where drugs would be used for treating symptoms such as rage
attacks or depression.  Note criterion D.  I'd say that it is up to you if
she meets D.  

  I won't go over the list for schizophrenia (it's long), but after looking
at the list of positive and negative symptoms, she has at worst a mild
case, and likely is not schizophrenic.  Does she hears voices?  Frequent
auditory hallucinations would be a classic symptom, although there are
other disorders with hallucinations.  Schizophrenia is considered the most
devastating mental illness by psychiatrists even though treatment has
improved within the last few years.  

  The general lack of appropriate symptoms would also tend to rule out
schizoaffective disorder, which is something of a cross between
schizophrenia and mood disorder (bipolar, depression, etc..).
Psychiatrists are still debating whether it is an independent psychosis.



  Tatewaki's behavior evidences a narcissistic personality disorder.  The
DSM-4 criteria for it are:

  "A pervasive pattern of grandiosity (in fantasy or behavior), need for
admiration, and lack of empathy, beginning by early adulthood and present
in a variety of contexts, as indicated by five or more of the following:

  1.  Has a grandiose sense of self importance (e.g. exaggerates
achievements and talents, expects to be recognized as superior without
commensurate achievements).

  2.  Is preoccupied with fantasies of unlimited success, power,
brilliance, beauty, or ideal love.

  3.  Believes that he or she is "special" and unique and can only be
understood by, or should associate with, other special or high-status
people (or institutions).

  4.  Requires excessive admiration

  5.  Has a sense of entitlement, i.e. unreasonable expectations of
especially favorable treatment or automatic compliance with his or her
expectations.

  6.  Is interpersonally exploitative, i.e. takes advantage of others to
achieve his or her own ends.

  7.  Lack of empathy: unwilling to recognize or identify with the feelings
and needs of others.

  8.  Is often envious of others or believes that others are envious of him.

  9.  Shows arrogant, haughty behaviors or attitudes. "

  Some psychiatrists argue that this is not a distinctive syndrome because
narcissistic traits are common in varying degrees in most patients with
personality disorders.  This disorder is also considered difficult to treat. 

  After looking at the criteria for bipolar disorder, I came to the
conclusion that Kodachi may suffer from a mild form known as cyclothymic
disorder, "a condition in which the patient has mild swings between the two
poles of depression and hypomania.  While in the manic phase, the person
appears to be high, but not so high as to be socially or professionally
incapacitated.  During the depressed phase, the person has some symptoms of
depression, but these are not severe enough to meet criteria for a full
major depressive episode.  Thus the individual with cyclothymic disorder
tends to swing from high to low with a chronic mild instability of mood."
New drugs show a lot of promise in treating this with few of the side
effects of earlier drugs.  These drugs also act quickly, producing
noticeable effects within days (less than a week).  

  Bear in mind that when a psychiatrist says "mild" they mean mild compared
to the severe, incapacitating forms of the same problem.  The depression of
cyclothymic can still be pretty harsh.  Also, I have proceeded on the
assumption of no delusions or hallucinations, which are symptomatic of
severe psychoses.  Mood disorders also show evidence of a genetic basis,
but family environment seems to be an important factor.  

  In looking at personality disorders, remember that most of the traits
occur in normal people.  A personality disorder is a condition in which
personality traits become maladaptive.  Kodachi and Tatewaki may not yet be
to that point.  Because the symptoms are still "mild", not fully developed
(e.g. as regards antisocial personality disorder, it is key that Kodachi
can still feel affection for Ranma), and are still fairly recent, then
there are good prospects of essentially full recovery with proper
treatment.  Also, there need not be a genetic cause for personality
disorders in them.  Childhood abuse, not necessarily sexual abuse, is a
frequent factor in people with personality disorders, particularly the
antisocial personality disorder.  


______________________________________

  I hope this helps.  Feel free to ask (by private email) if you have any
questions.   


          David