How do you treat an adult sociopath?

Answer 1

The parent must recognize and seek help for the child, usually on recommendation of teachers and other professionals in the school system. This cannot be diagnosed by an untrained person.

One specialist is Dr. Robert Hare of Canada; he has developed a specialized type of therapy that will help child psychopaths (sociopaths) veer off the destructive path and have the best life the illness allows! Arguably, he is the ONLY one who knows how to train therapists to deal with sociopaths, and has a special type of therapy developed for children with this devastating mental illness. See his BOOK, "Without Conscience," available at online bookshops, and you'll be able to understand much more.

Here are three very different opinions from FAQ Farmers:

* Be careful that you are not confusing social anxiety with sociopathy. Social Anxiety is technically classified as a disorder, but think of it like a symptom. Don't try to get rid of the social anxiety. Find out what is causing it before you try to overcome it.

* "Sociopath" is a misleading word: it implies a disorder, something wrong and unnatural with the person, and this couldn't be further from the truth. We, the people you refer to as sociopaths, have nothing wrong with us. (That, while arguably true from a sociopath's perspective, does not mean one should not do something about the situation. "Sociopaths" can be quite damaging to those around them). Just as science understands that epilepsy is not demonic possession, that people with dissociative conditions are not harboring ghosts or devils in their bodies, and that depression is not a "deadly sin," it would and will be able to prove that sociopathy happens for a reason and that it can be dealt with. Sociopaths do very bad things. But branding them all "pure evil" isn't going to help anyone. It's just more hate.

Answer 2

This depends on what you actually mean. Sociopathy or psychopathy? Sociopaths and psychopaths ARE, despite mainstream belief, different. Sociopaths are defined as impulsive, disorganized, given to fits of rage. Psychopaths are the opposite; calculating, manipulative, consummate planners. Both of course lack empathy, which is what links them. But, qualitatively, they differ greatly. However, the answer to the initial question is basically the same: once the personality disorder has cemented itself within the psyche, it is, for all intents and purposes, rendered unbreakable. There is no real treatment of either condition. It is only manageable, wherein systems of control are put in place in order to minimize the damage that the criminal psychopath/sociopath would inflict. If the patient is not criminal, merely destructive enough to warrant treatment, it is also essentially a futile enterprise. This can be, and often is, debatable though, depending on the level of the condition. If the person is not severely inflicted with the disorder(s), then certain degrees can often be superficially lessened through behavioral psychology, and possibly medications. Personality disorders are cyclical thought processes that the person cannot escape. Certain thoughts always lead to certain emotions which always lead to certain reactions.

Often, a deep sense of inferiority and insecurity cause the psycho/sociopath to feel so offended in a general sense toward all other human beings that they can justify any action, no matter how horrific, as mere "payback." Imagine how you would feel if someone truly wronged you or a family member, say, in a violent or sexual manner. Most would feel justified in their vengeance to the point of possible murder. This is a normal response to think as much. Now, apply this feeling toward everyone. They are both angry at the world and apathetic toward anything the world feels or experiences. It is a combination that allows the psycho/sociopath to perform gruesome acts and be completely remorseless.

Note: On the difference between psychopath versus sociopath- For psychopath, think "The Joker" (Heath Ledger) in The Dark Knight. For sociopath, think "Nicky Santoro" (Joe Pesci) in Goodfellas.

Answer 3

You can't. Sociopathy is a permanate mental disorder. Many people find that the symptoms decrease around the age of 40-50 but that is not always the case, and they never completely leave.

Answer 4

Other than putting things into their brain, that opens up the neurological pathways, and could cause serious seizures? You can't.

Answer 5

put your hand on it the shag your hand like cliodhna and sami and Nathan

Answer 6

there is no treatment. whatever you do, don't send them to therapy... it will just make it more adept at blending in.

Answer 7

Get him into counseling NOW.