Can a psociopath change

Answer 1

It's extremely unlikely. For that to happen, the person in question would have to both see the problem and admit to it, then want to change. Doing any of those things goes against several criteria they would have to meet in order to be diagnosed to begin with. For example, they shift blame incessently. If they won't take the blame for anything they do, how would they ever get to a place where they'd admit they had a problem, which would be the same as admitting they were wrong? Their lack of emotion prevents them from feeling the deep emotions associated with being remorseful of their actions-which is a prerequisite for wanting to change their behavior. A feeling of grandiosity also prevents them from seeing themselves as fallible-"What? ME have a problem?? Maybe YOU, but never ME!"

While many caution not to put a label on someone if you're not a professional, a typical sociopath living in society that hasn't gotten in trouble (yet) will very, very rarely grant a psychologist/psychiatrist a session. {Why would they? There's nothing wrong with them!} It's a vicious neverending circle that doesn't get better. Should someone find themselves in a situation where they're interacting with one and coming out the worse for it, don't expect or wait for a professional to diagnose them, because it won't happen. The best thing they can do to protect themselves is do some research and make the best call they can, while separating themselves from the person, be it friend, boy/girlfriend, husband/wife, brother/sister, or even father/mother.