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JOURNAL OF INTERPERSONAL VIOLENCE / September 1986 been reported that removal of the stressor may be associated with opiate withdrawal-like symptoms: anxiety and irritability (Backland, 1970; van der Kolk et al., 1984). In a recent analysis of the psychobiology of posttraumatic stress (PTS), van der Kolk et al. (1984) have suggested that the stress-approach behavior consistently displayed by individuals who suffer from PTS disorders may involve a conditioned CNS opiod response followed by withdrawal hyperreactivity. By analogy, compulsive aggressive fantasy activity may also involve such a psychobiological mechanism. In this case individuals re- expose themselves to traumatic situations through fantasy activity. The internally induced stressor elicits the opiod response, which brings relief. and/or pleasure as well as avoidance of the noxious symptoms of opiate. withdrawal Structures of cognitive mapping and processing include daydreams, nightmares, fantasies, and thoughts with strong visual components. There is internal dialogue of limiting beliefs regarding cause, effect, and probability. The subjects deal in absolutes and generalizations. The themes of their. fantasies include dominance, revenge, violence, rape, molestation, power,. control, torture, mutilation, inflicting pain on self/others, and death. High sensory arousal levels become the preferred state. The preoccupation with the aggressive themes, the detailed cognitive activity, and elevated kinesthetic arousal state eventually move the person into actions.. (4) Actions Toward Others Childhood actions are based on the child's regard and caring for others as. well as on self-respect and flexibility. In other words, behavior patterns reflect the private, internal world of the child. Interviews with the murderers in our study revealed that their internal world is olten preoccupied with troublesome, joyless thoughts of dominance over others. These thoughts are expressed through a wide range of actions toward others. In childhood, these include cruelty toward animals, abuse of other children, negative play patterns, disregard for others, firesetting, steal- ing, and destroying property. In adolescence and adulthood, the murderer's actions become more violent: assaultive behaviors, burglary, arson, abduc- tion, rape, nonsexual murder, and finally sexual murder involving rapt, torture, mutilation, and necrophilia. The early expression of cruelty toward both animals and humans when not intervened and stopped, we believe, sets the stage for the future abusing behavior in two ways. First, the early violent acts are reinforced, as the murderers either are able to express rage without experiencing negative con- sequences or are impassive to any prohibitions against these actions. Second, impulsive and erratic behavior discourages friendships. The failure to make friends leads to isolation and interferes with the ability to resolve conflicts, to 54