I’m an independent software developer working on programming languages, compilers, formal methods, static analysis, and software security.

I’m considering publicly disclosing that I have been diagnosed with psychopathy. Before I make that decision, I’m trying to understand how people in the software development community would actually react.

My main concern is the effect it could have on how my technical work is perceived. If you discovered that the person behind a programming language, compiler, security tool, or open-source project had publicly disclosed a psychopathy diagnosis, would that change how you evaluated their work?

Would it affect your willingness to collaborate with them, use their software, recommend their work, or take their research seriously?

Or would you primarily judge the work through things that can be independently evaluated — source code, reproducible tests, benchmarks, formal arguments, and external verification?

There is also a personal reason I’m considering disclosure. I went through a very difficult period involving psychiatry and trying to understand what was happening to me. I was fortunate to receive help from physics professors. Without the help I received, I don’t think I would still be alive today. That experience is part of why being open about what happened matters to me.

At the same time, I realize that publicly associating a diagnosis like this with my real name could have permanent consequences.

Once it is searchable and connected to my professional work, it may be impossible to take back.

I’m not asking for medical advice or for anyone to determine whether the diagnosis is correct. I’m interested specifically in the social and professional consequences within software development.

So I’d appreciate candid answers: Would knowing about the diagnosis change your view of the developer or their technical work? If so, how?