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Sociopathy (Psychopathy)
A mental disorder characterized by Antisocial Personality Disorder, lack of empathy and the concern for self.
535 Questions
Can a sociopath try and ruin a perfectly good marriage by sleeping with a married woman?
Has someone accused you of ruining their life and you do not understand why?
The only things sociopaths try to do is whatever benefits THEM. Other people's lives, concerns and troubles are secondary or don't bother them (the sociopath) at all. They see what they want far ahead and if they ruin relationships, marriages, someone's self worth along the way? They don't care. No remorse. Nothing. You'll see the sociopath go from being (what you think is) an outgoing, wonderful, personable, charming, attractive, concerned and caring person to being a heartless, uncaring, self-centered butthead (for lack of a better word) after they've gotten what they've wanted from you and want the next thing or person that interests them. You don't realize how little you mean to a sociopath until they've used you and you're suddenly "in the way" of whatever they want next. If what they've left in their wake is shambles, they don't care. They move on without so much as a glance back over their shoulders. Then its on to the next victim.
Are you involved with a psychopath (extreme sociopath)? You may not know because they can be very charming and friendly and can appear to be altruistic, until you get close and inevitably they do something threatening or immoral and then you must set limits that disappoint them. The near-constant state of frustration and dissatisfaction felt by a true psychopath is the source of not only their rages but those eerie, on-and-off-like-a-faucet tears. (Yes, tears are seen even in some men, though of course still more common in children and women.)
But, don't assume anyone is a psychopath based only on the person's apparent attitude and behavior. It is far more complex than that, including factors in the pattern of the person's life and many other characteristics. Please don't go around assuming or calling someone a psychopath just because he/she may have some of the warning signs. Get a professional opinion from a qualified mental health professional if you think you are involved with a psychopath. And then ask what to do, not only for the psychopath but for yourself, because being involved with a psychopath is risky.
ALSO:
Bizarre brain waves from some parts of the brain and none from some other parts; epileptic seizures (usually grand mal); speech impediments caused by a chaotic way of storing information in the brain; low blood-pressure (hypotension); bradycardia (low heart rate); pseudoneurolepsy (falling asleep suddenly); a type of night-blindness caused by constriction of the pupils; sleep apnea; sleepwalking (somnambulism); other sleep disturbances; migraine or cluster-headaches with visual 'auras'; varying degrees of incontinence; lethargy OR wild excitement; unexpected sexual arousal; loss of sense of taste or smell; trouble with depth perception; inability to recognize facial expressions; inability to concentrate on more than one thing at a time; occasional inability to concentrate on anything at all; certain types of muscle spasticity or nonresponsive reflexes associated with a peripheral neuropathy if present.
Many people without ASPD can have any of these problems; without the key psychiatric markers for ASPD, these physical manifestations alone CANNOT be used as evidence of the diagnosis. (For example, Borderline Personality Disorder, which is in most ways the opposite of ASPD, can cause hyperalertness and very fast talking, behavior that also resembles that of a sociopath in a temporary state of excitement.)
The general rule is that the autonomic nervous system of people with some Axis II personality disorders does not respond normally; in BPD the sympathetic nervous system (Fight-or-Flight) is overreactive; in ASPD it is usually (though not always) underreactive.
Most of the physical problems a sociopath exhibits are neurologically based.
They do not have the ability to change the way they are. They may "mellow" as they age, or burn out, but their need to have control over others, the need to be impulsive, their feelings that, even in lying, they never do anything wrong, and their ability to charm everyone they think they need to charm, does not leave them as they age. It's also very hard for someone involved with a sociopath to be able to see what they know is happening, even after catching the sociopath in the lies and manipulation. It's incredibly hard to decide to leave a sociopath, as well as stay away from that sociopath.
One of the reasons for the above is that people can sense that the sociopath needs something, and they keep trying to give it and the sociopath/psychopath keeps trying to take it. But the sociopath cannot truly take in that healing energy of human contact. So, the sociopath becomes frustrated and instead looks to take unfair advantage. And the caregiver may give until it does him/her damage. This won't help anyone: leave therapy to the professionals.
And, as for EVIL...
Mentally ill people, no matter how much troublethey cause, are sick, not possessed. And, yes, some psychopaths do terrible things, forfeiting their lives in the process. But most of them do not kill.
They are, however, bitter and rageful, and often cause deep emotional suffering for others.
Isn't this EVIL? The BEHAVIOR is, yes. But the PEOPLE just are what they are.
Some say psychopaths are damned. Some psychopaths say they're already living in Hell! It can feel that way.
Psychopaths -- Sociopaths -- are the way they are because, from birth onward, the brain of a sociopath stores learning information in a random, chaotic way instead of in the usual designated places in the cerebral cortex.
Part of this involves lack of crucial neurotransmitters, but as of yet no one knows whether this lack is caused BY the brain abnormality or is the cause OF it. It's probably the former.
Another probable cause is the chronic underarousal of the cerebral cortex of a true psychopath.
Since their information -- including emotional information -- is scattered all over both brain hemispheres, it takes too long for the brain to retrieve and process information, and the entire process of socialization becomes so ponderous that ultimately it fails. (See the book "Without Conscience" by Robert Hare, PhD.)
Since the entire cerebral cortex of a sociopath is almost never at a normal level of alertness (their waking brain waves resemble the waves of a normal person in a light sleep, alpha waves), this may be the crucial deficiency that cripples the developing child's ability to develop many aspects of the human mind. As the child grows, some of the basic mental and emotional skills the rest of the world takes so for granted never develop, and crucial among these is the thing called conscience. That one never develops at all.
Some people may envy the apparent calm of a sociopath, but their existence is misery. They cannot connect with other human beings, and as babies they are so uncomfortable being held that they fight to wriggle free of all but the most basic necessary contact. Their heartbroken parents often blame themselves or the child, never knowing that what is really wrong with the child is in his or her brain.
Under the almost somnolent calm sociopaths project is a constant sense of restlessness and lack of crucial fulfillment that is in truth nothing other than the basic need all people have to receive stimulation and support from others.
But a sociopath has no way of receiving this even if it's offered. The endless frustration of this, and a discomfort that they are utterly incapable of articulating or even really understanding, is the source of much of their chronic anger and aggression.
Plus, since they grow up in constant conflict with authority, they are most often bitterly angry and sometimes violent adults, brittle and combatative under a thin veneer of charm.
Offered friendship, they appear to respond, but quickly discover that they can get nothing from it; they see the obvious pleasure of other people in such contact with each other, and they often seek to "even it up" by stealing what they can -- material goods, or even human lives.
They are constantly told how "bad" they are, and by adulthood, most of them believe it. And behave accordingly.
Sociopaths rarely feel true happiness. If they do, it is usually in the condition that some kind of intervention -- such as one of the small number of medications made for other conditions that may also help somewhat with theirs -- has taken place, and it will be fleeting.
For all their frantic racing around, they are really very dead inside, and this is tragic beyond description.
Imagine spending your entire life trying to get your brain to wake up! And failing. Thousands of times.
There are stories of people diagnosed as sociopaths who did improve to some degree, with the most ceaseless and diligent help. But since the vast majority of this huge body of people (there are more than three hundred million sociopaths on Earth) cannot get that kind of attention, they turn to abusing those they envy, and often to crime. It is certainly vengeance: "If I can't have any of this, why should you?" This is the real reason sociopaths lash out at strong and kind people. No matter what they say, they know that inside, they are always empty and damaged beyond repair.
Only in neuroscience is there true hope for these incomplete people. The key lies in awakening the cerebral cortex of the brain, which is risky because sociopaths are much more prone to seizures than the rest of the population, and that -- an uncontrolled blast of electrical discharge spreading through the brain and causing violent convulsions -- is likely to be the first response from brain pathways that, after years or even decades of silence, are suddenly flooded with impulses.
But if the devices of neurosurgeons can be tweaked to avoid this shock, and all else related to this idea is workable, it's feasible that small electronic devices planted in the brain (these already exist, but are not yet being used for mental illness) could open up a closed connection.
That leaves us with the problem of whether a lifetime of scattered information can ever be set into order. Probably the best that could be hoped for would be a kind of retraining -- like what is now done with stroke survivors and head injury patients -- that would be both intensive and compensatory.
One of the things that would be necessary would be to try to socialize the person whose congenital birth defect made such a thing completely impossible before.
Whatever intervention is used, be it drugs or computer chips or what have you, it would probably -- I'd say certainly -- be excruciating for the patient at first.
With no knowledge of how to cope with the emotions the rest of the world has been dealing with all their lives, the recovering sociopath would be rendered as vulnerable as a baby.
Which makes sense, because some of the most basic aspects of the human mind would be developing from the primordial stasis in which they had remained since birth!
A person thus treated would never be fully normal, but the human brain is amazing in the way it adapts and continues to develop all through life.
And given the utterly joyless and meaningless existence a sociopath leads, any improvement is better than none.
The matter of missing neurotransmitters in a sociopath is, of course, another problem. Would "waking up" the cerebral cortex eventually stimulate production of these? Or would they have to be synthesized?
Only time will tell.
SabrinaSingularity with some segments by several other writers from several other questions.
Suggestion: Better to sign in; better to be a name rather than a number.
How does a sociopath behave when they do NOT have control any longer?
When he loses his control, he tries it hard to regain it even by violence, but if he notices that he can't gain it again, he moves on to the next victim, although he may try years to regain his control with the person he lost it.
Are corporate sociopaths evtl found out?
Everyone will probably have already noticed odd personality traits, and yes, it will eventually happen. When someone is weird for too long, questions are asked.
How can parents separate from a sociopathic adult child?
I have a step child with a narcissistic personality disorder. There is some overlap between a sociopath and a narcissist. First, most narcissists have enablers. The enabler needs help and therapy so they will stop behaviors that enable the narcissists.
I have found conflict can be avoided with narcissists by ignoring them and also by corresponding with letters or email. This is more effective than direct conflict.
I have told my stepson that he will be thrown out of my house while he is visiting if he starts another verbal assault I have also warned him that I can request a temporary restraining order. Because narcissists understand power and control, he has started to back off with his aggressive 'I'm always right' approach.
I made the mistake of allowing him to move into my house when he was having some hard times. It took me more than four years to get him out. During that period I lost the use of my garage to his storage and he had had his personal articles in every room in my house except the master bedroom. He was like a tiger trying to mark his territory and even told me once that the house belonged to his mother, the enabler.
I had to disconnect his computer to stop him from visiting four to five times a week. He has been gone for more than two months but still does not have Internet or cable in his new home. Next month I plan to rekey the doors next so he can no longer enter my home without ringing the doorbell. Until I removed his PC, he would walk into my house unannounced. I also had to contact the post office to get his address changed from my home.
I have taken on the role of his antagonist. I simply don't put up with much from him, but have found an indirect approach works the best. Part of the problem in dealing with narcissists is the co-dependent enabler. The enabler is very supportive of the narcissist, particularly if they are children. The antagonist may find himself or herself in a losing situation with the narcissist and the enabler ganging up on him or her.
Since I have have two more my children living at home and they got to see my narcissist step brother in action for the last four years, the odds are now in my favor during disputes. My stepson considers his two brothers to be 'brainwashed' because they do not side with him.
Narcissists have been described as psychic vampires who suck the life out of you. Keep them away from your family mas much as possible, and avoid contact with them unless it is written or email.
Let them know who is boss and don't be afraid to throw them out of you house when they stat acting up. Threaten to use a restraining order if their horrid behavior continues. And try to work things out with the co-dependent enabler, your spouse. Avoid direct crtiicism of the narcissist child whenever possible.
Are sociopaths basically insecure people?
Interesting question!
According to popular classification, psychopaths are born as-is whereas sociopaths are made - often through a violent or abusive childhood. Psychopaths show little co-morbidity (co-existing mental health conditions) whereas sociopaths often exhibit many.
I don't think "insecure" would necessarily be the right term, but it could be argued that many sociopaths do at some level have a degree of low self esteem, either due to the initial experiences which eventually rendered them sociopathic, and then in addition in response to their condition.
They know there is no way others can really appreciate the real them fully without discomfort fear or alarm. They know they have something to hide, and that they must always hide it. On some level, they know there is something missing from their existence.
They revel in the fact they are "top of the food chain" they can hurt people without discretion, feel no remorse and not get hurt on any deeper level, however somewhere in there, even if completely unacknowledged, they may also resent the pain and isolation which is a trade-off for this, and in short, may at some level resent themself.
How do you read a sociopath like a book?
Reading a sociopath involves observing their patterns of behavior, emotional responses, and communication styles. Pay attention to inconsistencies in their stories and a lack of genuine empathy towards others, as this can reveal their manipulative tendencies. Additionally, notice how they react in different social situations; sociopaths often display charm and confidence but may become dismissive or hostile when challenged. Trust your instincts and maintain healthy boundaries, as their allure can be deceptive.
What is the difference between a narcissist and sociopath?
Narcissism, in modern psychology refers to an abnormal affection of one's own image or one's own personality. Narcissism is characterized by an exaggerated sense of self-importance and superiority.
A sociopath suffers from an antisocial personality disorder which is defined by the APA (American Psychological Association) as ''a pervasive pattern of disregard for, and violation of, the rights of others that begins in childhood or early adolescence and continues into adulthood''. However, the term ''sociopath'' is highly controversial since the word literally means ''destroying society'' or ''destroyed by the society'' and thus it's an derogatory term not used anymore.
All in all, both terms are used in psychology to refer to certain personalities, albeit it denotes different types of psychological phenomenons, or issues if you will.
Why do psychopaths enjoy making others cry and then watching them do so?
either because the other person has made them feel funny and their venting and getting relief from it, or because they don't understand why people cry and want to learn. my 'psychopath' friend fits the former it's a frustration thing, revenge, but doesn't understand why people cry.
Actuallymy origional answer was half correct, the correct answer. and actually the one I've given for years is.
Psychopaths have a pleasure pain inversion, that's partly what I said in my answer. But studies on children with Conduct Disorder (a prerequisite for ASPD) show that an area of the Amygdala associated with pleasue is activated when they watch someone else experiancing pain. That relates to the relief bit in my origional reply.
Also though Psychopaths have higher than normal amounts of some empathy (motor) normal amounts of cognative empathy (good for manipluating) they have lower amounts of affective empathy. This relates to the not understanding why people cry bit.
Implusiveness and easy to anger are psychopathic traits, relating to the frustration bit.
There's also narcissistic splitting which relates to getting 'pain' from other peoples pleasure, though I've found no direct neurology relating to this part of the pleasure pain inversion.
Sociopathy, (or as it's officially called, ASPD) is a mental disorder charecterized by failure to conform to social norms, deception, impulsiveness, irritability and aggressiveness, reckless disregard for safety of self or others, irrisponsibilty, and most importantly a lack or remorse or empathy.
Sociopathy in and of itself is not a crime, most sociopaths are able to live completely fine lives without commiting crimes or getting arrested. That being said, the symptoms of sociopathy, including those listed above, make it very easy to resort to crime, which is why such a large percentage of people in jail, (sometimes up to %50) are sociopaths.
A sociopath has no conscience and no sense of guilt. Their key attitude is, "I do what I can get away with" - not just occasionally but as a matter of routine.
Can one defend themselves against sociopathic character assassination?
Yes a person can defend themselves against sociopathic character assassination by not allowing the behavior to be concealed. Exposure of the behavior of a sociopath forces them to acknowledge their incorrect behavior if they are confronted in the proper manner.
What is a sociopath social climber?
The term "sociopath social climber" sounds a statement condemning the actions of someone considered to be getting socially "above themselves" at the expense of others and "fair play" (sincerity, truth, honesty, integrity and so on). However, a "sociopath" in the medical sense of the word is a person who has been diagnosed with Antisocial Personality Disorder (and is therefore an "antisocial", "sociopathic" or "psychopathic" personality), according to the diagnostic criteria. The word is often used to describe people who are harmful or damanging to others (and not necessarily diagnosed with a mental health disorder). "Sociopathic" personalities are people without a conscience: they lie, cheat, exploit, con, use and abuse others CONSISTENTLY. The sociopathic personality is narcissistic and is extremely self centered, self absorbed, self serving and can be utterly ruthless in puruit of their wants, needs, goals etc. At the extreme end of the contiminium, these people are capable of anything (murder etc). "Social climber" is a value judgment, I guess. And it's not a particularly nice one from my egalitarian point of view as it smacks of passing judgment on another for getting "above their station" in life socially in terms of CLASS. George Bush.
What was Freddy kruegers childhood like?
His mother, Sister Mary Helena/Amanda Krueger, gave birth to 'Fredrick Charles Krueger' after being accidentally locked in a lunatic asylum. She was raped hundreds of times, hence the nickname to Freddy, 'Son of a hundred maniacs'. Freddy was adopted by an abusive stepfather named Mr Underwood, who as an alcoholic, in drunken rages, would frequently inflict physical and verbal violence. As a child he began to show sociopathic behavior by killing animals and was bullied and teased at school because of the situation of his birth. As a teenager, Freddy became a sadist using self mutilation to 'discover the secret of pain' and eventually murdered his stepfather.
Probably from there Freddy was employed in the local power plant, met Loretta, bought the house on 1428 Elm Street, had his daughter and, well the rest is profound history.
Sure. But so can people with leukemia, arthritis, and HIV. Having Bipolar Disorder doesn't automatically mean you'll turn out to be a sociopath.
What kind of handwriting does a sociopath have?
Their handwriting is no better or no worse than anybody elses. Sociopaths are not different outwardly in any way, it is their behaviour that shows the signs of the condition.
What are common traits that you could easily identify a person who is sociopath?
They are mean to animals they start fires they are just mean to...pretty much everything that walks and is on this planet
Can divorcing a sociopath leave you in financial ruins?
In a word, YES.
Unfortunately, financial, emotional and physical damage are an inevitable part of life with a sociopath.
This destruction is the result of the long term erosion of your sense of self - something that the sociopath manipulates in order to gain "control" over you.
The action is predatory in nature and leads to significant hardship on a multitude of levels.
Secure a good lawyer and plan your "escape" long before you let the SP know of your intentions.
Then get out, stay out and don't look back.
Be prepared for the abuse to escalate in the aftermath, and get a restraining order if necessary, but do NOT give up.
It is the only way towards securing good mental, physical and emotional health, as well as financial stability.
Good luck.
What is the best way to divorce a sociopath?
Just like you would divorce anyone else you didn't like. It's best to see a lawyer and be sure you are protected. Your lawyer can handle things for you. I know it can get expensive, but it's the best way to go. Good luck Marcy Divorce them from as far away as possible. Good Luck. Pat W. Quickly---and safely! Have an alternative place to live, or maybe a couple of them, lined up before you file. Change your hair colour and length/style, wear different clothes, buy a new car. Consider even changing your name, if it is really that dangerous. Might have to let your boss know, or even change jobs, if you think stalking or violence will be a problem. Get a restraining order first and notify the police of all and any concerns you have. Contact a local shelter and friends you trust to make sure you have many safe places to go to in case you need to hide or move quickly. Never ever go back to the situation you were in or be with the person again...they do NOT change. Get counseling and support for yourself and kids if you have them. You don't want to end up in another relationship with another psycho, and you will need to examine your life and choices deeply to discover how you can do better for yourself.
Can you have a mild case of being a sociopath?
Yes, and it can be argued that we are all sociopaths to some extent.
Are sociopathy and insanity mutually exclusive?
No. A sociopath is just as likely to develop most psychological illnesses as is anyone else, including Schizophrenia (which may be what you are talking about when you say "insanity").
Do sociopaths live in a constant party mood?
No, infact most sociopaths dislike beign around other people. They find them annoying and stupid.
