Can a sociopath be saved

Answer 1

Some say:

True sociopaths are a lost cause. All we can do is avoid them.

Answer

Some say:

Avoid them like the plague! They are emotional parasites trapped in permanent emotional childhood. They cannot learn from experience, they have no conscience, they are immensely destructive; they make life a misery for others and cause nothing but suffering. Many who have been involved in close relationships with sociopaths would say that the the word 'sociopath' is essentially a medical term for an evil and depraved person.

Another viewpoint:

Since I was diagnosed as a primary psychopath in 1992, I protest that I'm neither hopeless nor purely evil. Nor are the others.

Sociopaths, along with other "hopeless cases" like people with Alzheimer's disease, Down syndrome, Asperger's, ADD, ADHD, autism, and the schizophrenias, along with more common disorders such as depression and addiction, and so on, are a mystery, but scientists have a way of hammering away at mysteries until they unravel them, and they are well on their way to the core of this one.

If one says that sociopaths aren't worth helping, one rather misses the point, after all. The price the world pays for not being able to help these unhappy people is incalculable.

But it also shows the hopelessness that sociopaths/psychopaths and their behavior make many people feel, itself a mirror-image of the emptiness and meaninglessness that hide always within the psychopath.

To counter that hopelessness, please know these two incontrovertible points: (1)no, the sociopath who hurt you isn't genuinely happy; (2) yes, the massive population of sociopaths the world over will be able to be treated before long, and possibly the first threads of that are already starting now.

If one says that sociopaths aren't worth helping, one rather misses the point, after all. The price the world pays for not being able to help these people is incalculable. Euthanasia isn't the answer. There are people (whose consciences I really must wonder about) who suggest that all the sociopaths that can be located and diagnosed by the authorities should be gathered up whether or not they've done anything wrong yet, and killed en masse (shades of World War Two, but with a different group of people). This is appalling, for reasons I hope I don't really need to explain!

But it also shows the hopelessness that sociopaths and their behavior make many people feel.

To counter that hopelessness, please know these two incontrovertible points: (1) no, the sociopath who hurt you isn't happy; (2) yes, the massive population of sociopaths the world over will be able to be treated before long, and possibly the first threads of that are already starting now.

AnswerI don't think many people would go so far as to say they are hopeless. But the truth is that people who have the worst cases of this disorder are completely free from any sense of conscience or guilt. I'm not aware of any current therapies or medical treatments that offer significant relief. One first issue would be: how do you motivate such individuals to work for change? As we learn more about the brain chemistry and neurophysiology of this condition, directions for help may come to light.

Only time will tell.

And some people have said that the only way to persuade a sociopath or psychopath to seek help is by threatening him/her with DEATH!!

One way -- or another...

And the main reason sociopaths don't usually seek helpfrom their fellow human beings is that they can'ttrust, rather than that they like being as they are. Plus, they canoften sense exactly what sort of a response any call for help on theirpart is most likely to elicit from professionals and lay folk alike.Sociopaths are not breezing along in paradise. It isn't all a game.It's a truly miserable existence. And it can be made better. It may notbe "curable" yet, but it most certainly isn't as hopeless as so manypeople say. There is therefore nothing to be gained and much to be lostwhen therapists and lay folk try to ostracize sociopaths from the humanrace entirely! Sensationalism and superstition will only preventprogress.

This was written on another question on the same essential topic as this one, by a self-confessed sociopath who was officially diagnosed (other than me!) --

• Sociopaths, though born that way, are people too. To avoid anentire group of people is absurd. That's like saying, "Since thesepeople have dark skin, everyone should completely avert themselves fromthem." I am a moderate sociopath, and though part of me doesn't want tochange, another does. Many times it is really entertaining to see howstupid people can be, especially when they're so gullible as to believeevery word that mellifluously flows from my lips. Yes, I am parasitic,but even so, there are some people I would like to stop hurting. Ican't find any websites that can provide a way to help my sociopathy.Maybe people like you should stop your self-victimisation and starttrying to actually help people like me! I knew I was a sociopath beforethe age of ten but have only recently had it officially diagnosed. I ameighteen years old now, and I have been lying and destroying others'sanity for a long time. So, please post some helpful tidbits that mighthelp sociopaths resist the sweet urges we get when we encounter weakhuman beings. When you cut us, do we not bleed? When you kill us, do wenot die? Do you honestly think that you're being lied to andmanipulated when we sincerely ask for help. Listen to yourselves! Thisis the internet; ergo, you're safe from our fortified mental grasp.

The essay that follows was written in another answer by anotherself-admitted sociopath, who actually might not be a sociopath. Stillanother person added the brief comment to that effect after her tragic essay.

• umm... i kindof am one... just so y'all know, it's not so muchfun being one either. i read that sentence up there, "Incapable of realhuman attachment to another." i don't even know what that is, i see it,i approximate it... it's like being outside a door looking through adirty window and watching re-runs of people I've seen in love or withchildren or with friends, and scratching, sometimes banging at theglass to get in and... nothing. I'm fond of people in every sense ofthe word, their little quirks and habits, the way they see life, exceptif they went away it wouldn't bother me much other than finding someoneelse to be fond of. i don't have friends, i only date military menbecause they're ok with only having a girlfriend for a couple monthsand i tell them in advance i won't wait for them... i don't know whatelse to do to limit the damage i inflict on others just as a result ofthem knowing me, short of moving to the mountains... but i still movebetween 2-5 times a year :( it's kindof hard walking around knowingi'll never have what i see making other people so happy and runningwhen i can tell someone is getting close just because i don't want tohurt them more later down the road... i'd like it alot to settle down,i WANT to be able to feel more with people, but it's hard to miss whatyou never had. i want what i THINK it would feel like... it'd be easyto give in and let someone stay because I'm so lonely... but hey, i'vewritten enough, just know i try to be a responsible little sociopath, iwon't ever get married or have kids, i practice safe sex, i won't stayin one city for long... everything you all take for granted i willnever let myself have just because i WANT to take it for granted. beinglike this won't go away so hopefully i can limit the amount of hatethrown my way by limiting my interaction with people, i don't know whatelse to do. and you all might not belive this, but i am sorry,hopefully i can speak for the other people who have damaged your lives.

Comment: The above testimony is clearly not indicative of asociopath because she seems to make efforts to keep from harmingothers, even if it doesn't benefit herself.

Answer 2

No. They need to be controlled by someone stronger than them. Leave them in charge with person they respect, agree with, etc and move to Cananda.

The person above is foolish, that being said, sociopaths do not need saving; nor do they want it. People who use others to better their own lives are just being true to their nature, all acts of charity, and selfishless activites are a facade used by mankind to make each other seem like they are different from the animals hiding in the jungles and woods. When in reality we are all just looking out for number one which is ourselves, which all in all isn't a bad thing, but rather when the majority finally realize this they society will be that one step closer to eutopia.

Answer 3

No. A psychopath and a sociopath are two VERY different things. Being a sociopath myself, I've taken this into account;

Psychopaths act COMPLETELY on whim, and when not so, are possessed by an idea. Once that happens, they never lose focus on it until they get what they want from it. Sociopaths, however, tend to focus on many things at once, such as multiple relationships, multiple jobs, and superficial interests.

Hope that helped.

Answer 4

No research has shown significant success in their treatment. As they age the impact they have on others is often less than when they are younger.