Cat's post was marvellous, and I agree with everything she said. The part about them having learned to detach from their emotions to survive in the past, is so true, but as she also noted it means they cannot access the good emotions either.
We are talking very damaged people here, not guys who woke up one morning and decided to be horrible. Why some do this and others deal with it is one of life's great mysteries. However hanging on to our compassion in the face of really horrible behavour is a great challenge.
I would add that while it seems that a crisis can shock them out of it, it can also, and in many cases I think does, prolong the journey, and drive them deeper into the tunnel.
The trigger that wakes them up? I am not sure if there is one. If there were it would likely be different for everyone. And probably, if it exists, is very subtle. The trigger that appears to set it off is the tipping point If it hadn't have been that it would have been something else. They are an accident waiting to happen by that time. It isn't avoidable by then imo.
But I am proud of the way that we handle it here. We seek understanding, and enlightenment We learn and help others to focus on our own spiritual journey, and we emerge as fully fledged survivors. Quite a feat.
