Some reports say Adam Lanza, the gunman in the Newtown, Connecticut killings Friday had Asperger's Syndrome or a personality disorder.
If that's true, is it enough to drive someone to carry out such a violent act?
Asperger's Syndrome is a type of autism. While mental health officials say there's a lot they don't know about it, it's unlikely autism alone triggered the shooting.
As the investigation continues into the shooting, mental health officials caution people against linking the tragedy to mental illness.
"The fact that someone has a mental illness does not increase their dangerousness. It does not make them more dangerous," said Dr. Jim Waterman, Kern County Mental Health Department.
Dr. Jim Waterman says people with Asperger's Syndrome have difficulty with social interactions. But, he says most are intelligent and lead successful lives.
"A lot of people working in the high tech industry and good on computers and bright people who do pretty well," said Waterman.
Adam Lanza took college courses at age 16 and had a 3.2 GPA.
His parents divorced when he was 17.
Dr. Russ Sempell with the National Alliance on Mental Illness, says big life changes like divorce or death could significantly impact someone with mental illness.
"The mental illness unfolds. As they unfold, there's more irritability, sleep disorders, mood changes. Sometimes a parent sees a young adult punch a wall, get belligerent," said Sempell.
Sempell says what may appear to be drug use could be a sign of mental illness.
But, in California and some other states, once your child turns 18 it's more difficult to get them help.
"If someone is 18 or older and they don't want help, they don't have to be given help," said Sempell.
But, Sempell is working with the courts to change that.
He says if you're concerned about your child, at any age, don't take 'no' for an answer.
"They really need to know it's a challenge to get help, but they must continue to fight," he added.
Kern County Mental Health has a 24-hour crisis hotline. Call 1-800-991-5272 or 1-800-273-8255.
For younger children, Kern County school officials say there are teams of specialists who can assess and treat students.
