Hope this is the right place for this question.

Does anyone know what Ross’ diagnosis was? I ask because it is common for people to be hospitalized because of psychopathic behaviour but diagnosed with Schizophrenia, Bipolar, etc. Is there hard evidence that he was in hospital in the early 60s?

He definitely had schizophrenia. According to the librarians that knew him he was in a mental hospital in the early 60s and he told stories of escaping. Others have claimed that he was also in the hospital during one or more Zodiac crimes, but provide no documentation of this.

Thanks, Morf.

The History Channel claims bipolar as well. This would be consistent with the named telephone booth incident, which could have been a manic episode.

It’s important to understand that ideas, terminology and definitions have changed over the years. Accounts suggest that Ross was anti-social, bizarre, and on at least one occasion possibly manic. I haven’t heard an account of him suffering from an actual psychotic episode (the phone booth is more likely mania, or substance abuse IMO), nor a full fledged delusion (when people describe schizophrenics it is unusual for them not to mention an anecdote involving a specific delusional belief). This suggests that he may have been closer to what would be now called schizotypal, or schizoid. There are also some signs of anti-social personality disorder, and schizoaffective disorder.

I would suggest familiarising yourself with the current DSM, but also earlier editions contemporaneous to the Zodiac so that you can understand the comments from the experts at the time, it makes more sense that people would think the Zodiac was schizophrenic when you read the much broader definition found in the DSM I & II. The modern definition is much more severe. The DSM is more like a dictionary than a encyclopaedia, so if you don’t have a good understanding use other resources. A broad understanding is better than zoning in on one diagnosis.

Dr. Grande did a YouTube video on the Zodiac recently that was on point.

I would suggest familiarising yourself with the current DSM, but also earlier editions contemporaneous to the Zodiac so that you can understand the comments from the experts at the time, it makes more sense that people would think the Zodiac was schizophrenic when you read the much broader definition found in the DSM I & II. The modern definition is much more severe. The DSM is more like a dictionary than a encyclopaedia, so if you don’t have a good understanding use other resources. A broad understanding is better than zoning in on one diagnosis.

I’m familiar with the DSM-IV & V, and the disorders in question. My thinking is he could have had both a personality disorder and an axis-1 disorder like schizophrenia. If that were the case it could be that the PD was not picked up. From personal experience I’ve seen how bad psychiatrists are at diagnosing, even long-term inpatients.