Kyle Sandilands must be one of the most unpopular guys on the planet, with his latest outburst seeing him once again facing the sack from his $2 million 2DayFM breakfast show for making grotesquely tactless and insensitive remarks that comic Magda Szubanski would lose more weight if she spent time in a concentration camp – just weeks after being censured for a lie-detector prank involving a raped teen.

Kyle is copping it from everywhere, including NSW Premier, Nathan Rees, who said he did not think the breakfast radio hosts Kyle Sandilands and Jackie O should have been allowed back on air after their last gaff.  Add to that Victorian Premier John Brumby who slammed Sandilands, labelling his comments completely inappropriate and insensitive, an emotional pop star Rene Geyer who demanded Sandilands be taken off air permanently, breaking down on Radio 3AW, as she spoke of photos of her mother in a Nazi concentration camp, and Zionist Council of Victoria president, Dr Danny Lamm, suggesting suspending Sandilands was inadequate.

Just when one thought things could not get much worse – this weekend, the paper carries comments from his Dad Peter Sandilands denying his DJ son’s story of living on the streets for a year as a teenager, insisting Kyle only did so for a night or two. Professionally he is in deep do do. Sponsors such as Optus are withdrawing their support from his show and it is understood that the shock-jock has exhausted the patience of his network executive chairman Peter Harvie, who reportedly wants the host removed. It is entirely unsurprising that the suspended star is believed to be en route to Sydney from the US, replaced on air yesterday by Australian Idol’s Andrew G and singer Dannii Minogue who joined host Jackie O.

So what is it with Kyle? A journalist who recently interviewed him described him as “…a fairly simple guy who knew his place in the world, a guy who perhaps had more opinions than knowledge.”  I think this is an oversimplification and I am beginning to think it may be more complex than this and I am beginning to feel sorry for Kyle.

According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) published by the American Psychiatric Association and which provides diagnostic criteria for mental disorders, there is a diagnosis of a condition known as a personality disorder. Personality disorders are defined by the American Psychiatric Association as “an enduring pattern of inner experience and behaviour that deviates markedly from the expectations of the culture of the individual who exhibits it”. These patterns, as noted, are inflexible and pervasive across many situations, due in large part to the fact that such behaviour is ego-syntonic (i.e. the patterns are consistent with the ego integrity of the individual) and, therefore, perceived to be entirely appropriate by that individual. The onset of these patterns of behaviour can typically be traced back to late adolescence and the beginning of adulthood and, in rarer instances, childhood.

Diagnosis of a personality disorder is very subjective, but in order for someone to be diagnosed, for example with a borderline personality disorder, three or more of the following are required:

1. Failure to conform to social norms with respect to lawful behaviours as indicated by repeatedly performing acts that are grounds for arrest;
2. Deceitfulness, as indicated by repeatedly lying, use of aliases, or conning others for personal profit or pleasure;
3. Impulsivity or failure to plan ahead;
4. Irritability and aggressiveness, 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 behaviour or honour financial obligations;
7. Lack of remorse, as indicated by being indifferent to or rationalizing having hurt, mistreated, or stolen from another.

I don’t know Kyle Sandilands, but as far as I have read, he does not meet criterion 1, 2, 4 or 5 and the readers of this blog can draw their own conclusions about the others. As I have never interviewed Kyle it would be quite improper and unethical to suggest that he has a specific personality disorder – however, when an individual exhibits the same type of behaviour over and over again, one has to ask whether something else may lie behind his behaviour.

All I do know is that after Kyle first suspension, the media rang me for an opinion and I suggested that he use his time off to reflect on his actions, now I am suggesting that he use his time off to reflect with a professional person, who may help him explore how his early life experiences may be influencing his current behaviour. As for the journalists baying for his blood, perhaps it is time to let things play out in private. How about leaving Kyle alone to sort out his life?

Writer Dr Michael Carr-Gregg, Editor Dr Ramesh Manocha.