Isla Vista shooting: Psychologist weighs in on suspect's mental health

ISLA VISTA, Calif. (KABC) -- As people search for answers about why 22-year-old Elliot Rodger allegedly murdered six people in Isla Vista and then killed himself, many are taking a closer look at his mental health.

"I would say that definitely he had some kind of major depression that was severe that could have had aspects of psychosis, delusional behavior, in terms of his interpretation of women and his interpretation of male-female relationships," said Dr. Leslie Seppinni, a clinical psychologist.

The attorney for Rodger's father says Rodger was diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome. Based on his so-called manifesto and the videos he left behind, Seppinni says though Asperger's may have heightened his feelings of isolation, the syndrome has no correlation to killing. She says Rodger's alleged actions point more to a spree killing.

"This individual is highly intelligent. He understood that he was socially isolated. He had been that way his whole life. He understood what he wanted and he understood what he needed, which was affection, attention, love, somebody to feel amorous about him, somebody to make him feel sexy, and here he was stuck in this Asperger's type of way of dealing with people socially," said Seppinni.

And though Rodger was articulate in his videos and writings, Seppinni says he likely missed social cues when trying to communicate one-on-one with people.

"The very key thing about Asperger's is, not just the social isolation, but you feel trapped within yourself. Many of these people will tell you they know what they want to say, or they have a feeling that they want to express. They're not able to communicate that feeling," said Seppinni.

The Santa Barbara sheriff says when a family member asked that deputies make a welfare check on Rodger, he was very convincing that he would not hurt himself or others. Those deputies gave him information and left.