Sociopathology

According to experts, there are significant dissimilarities between a sociopath and a psychopath. Though people tend to toss these words around like their distinction were of no importance, there is a compelling reason why one should be knowledgeable about their differences.

By being aware of their different characteristics, a person would know how to deal with sociopaths or psychopaths or eventually avoid them. However, it doesn’t matter who’s who, for as long you bail out on them once you’ve managed to identify these troublesome anomalies. Better safe than sorry.

What The Therapists Say

Since they are trained and are adept at figuring out what’s mentally misconstrued in people, therapists are knowledgeable in identifying which is which. According to Scott A. Bonn, Ph.D, “Sociopathy and psychopathy has both been listed under the Antisocial Personality Disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual-Fifth Edition (DSM-V), sharing traits such as disregard for laws and social mores, disregard for the rights of others, failure to feel remorse, and tendency to display violence.” So based on studies and observations, here are the main differences between sociopaths and psychopaths.

Sociopathic characteristics are:

• Charming and manipulative with situations and people surrounding them.
• Dominant with their victims, using them for personal gain.
• Adept at lying to get what they’re after. In fact, sociopaths are so skilled at lying that they can pass a lie detector test.
• See themselves as people who are great, powerful, and authoritative.
• Cruel to humans and animals.
• Not guilty of their ill behavior and instead, blame the erratic outcomes to other people.
• Incapable of having friends and don’t have long-term relationships.
• Involved with promiscuity that often leads to sexual abuse.
• Keen on changing their image to avoid execution and will go to great lengths just to convince people of their innocence.
• Developed by factors such as delinquent peers, neglect by people in the society and most likely their families, poverty, unemployment, and childhood trauma. As John M. Grohol, Psy.D. states that, “Most people who can later be diagnosed with sociopathy have had a pattern of behavior where they violate the basic rights or safety of others.”

Scheming as they are, sociopaths build relationships for the sake of taking something from the other person. Love and affection do not affect sociopaths and they find no value in such emotions.

Psychopathic characteristics are:

• Evildoers; psychopaths may or may not murder, but they will plan their crimes to make sure they are accomplished smoothly.
• Persuasive to the point of dazzling other people into believing their pure intentions until they wake up to the realization that the psychopath has already destroyed their lives.
• Attentive to the needs of their lovers in order to take advantage. Besides, it’s impossibly difficult to turn down a favor, like paying for large purchases, if you are constantly showered with excessive, exaggerated care and attention.
• Great lovers. Psychopaths are so great that they can get away with their infidelities.
• Without conscience. Once psychopaths have exhausted your resources and have gratified themselves, they will leave you without remorse.
• Good at turning situations around to make it look like they’re the victims and people will eventually believe these psychopaths, forgiving and trusting them all the while.
• Aggressive and quickly loses one’s cool over superficial matters.
• Self-centered and is prone to boredom.

A psychopath’s nature is entirely due to their genes or biology and not because of crooked upbringing. Getting tangled up with a psychopath can turn out to be pretty messy since chromosomal errors are usually hard to cure or treat. Susan Krauss Whitbourne, Ph.D. says that, “If you see all these psychopathic tendencies on an individual, these can be an advantage in knowing who to avoid.”

Regardless of the condition, the best way to deal with sociopaths and psychopaths is to get as far away from them as possible before things can turn for the worse. Click this link for more information  https://www.betterhelp.com/online-therapy/ 

Before getting into a serious relationship with someone, consider this thought: is that person a sociopath?

Often, when people are in love, they become oblivious to the fact that not everyone is customarily wired to be a potential life partner. Just because the one you’re currently dating is showing you love and affection, and is wooing you regularly, doesn’t mean that he or she feels the same way you do. Behind the mask lies an opportunistic, self-centered, liar who just wants something from you and to get that, that person must get you first.

Spotting A Sociopath

According to psychiatrists, the hard-hitting truth is, you might be dating a sociopath right now, and you might not know it since your partner seems so “normal” and is quite the charmer. But, in reality, that person only sticks around to either give you a good run for your money or make your life a living hell.

Psychiatrists unravel the real person behind the mask so that you can tell if you’re dating a sociopath and immediately get out of a sticky situation before your relationship escalates to a whole new level of toxicity. As Bill Eddy LCSW, JD states that, “Whether you’re trying to spot a potential school shooter, a dangerous romantic partner, a liar at work, a scammer on the internet, or someone pushing a bogus business deal with you, it helps to know some of the warning signs for sociopaths.”

1. Sociopaths Are Charmers

Sociopaths are suave, sweet-talkers who are usually sociable in any affair or situation. They are adept at knowing precisely what to say and gets applauded by everybody. Maybe, this is one of the main reasons why you were drawn to your partner in the first place – because of his or her charisma.

Sociopaths know all too well how to pursue a person and would generously give out compliments and flatteries. According to Kathleen Smith, PhD, LPC, “Sociopaths may con people to get what they want such as to get the partner’s constant affection.” Still, this is just one sign; just because a person is naturally engrossing doesn’t mean that he or she is a sociopath. Let’s continue with the other indicative signs.

2. Sociopaths Are Good Deflectors

Instead of accepting a fault, sociopaths turn the story around to make it appear that you’re to blame. Sociopaths are good at blaming others for the mistakes they initially created to the point that you seldom hear them admit their faults. At the same time, aside from being skilled in turning things around, sociopaths would also make you feel guilty for not being considerate or sensitive of their circumstances even if, you know deep down, that the gaffe was entirely their doing.

3. Sociopaths Disregard Feelings

One of the main characteristics of sociopaths is that they lack empathy; this means that whenever you are upset towards them or about something in your life, they would have difficulties understanding what makes you feel that way. Sociopaths are not apologetic even if there is an acceptable reason behind your emotions. And if you ever confront them about this lack of empathy, sociopaths will, again, blame you for it, usually for making them look and feel bad because of your “emotional nonsense.”

4. Sociopaths Are Pathologic Liars

They will lie endlessly to your face even if you’ve already caught them red-handed because that’s how they’re wired. Lying is usually a self-serving mechanism a sociopath typically uses to be impressive and to be seen in a positive light. Figuring out the truth from the lies is nearly impossible because sociopaths are so good at lying that they can convert the lies into truths.

What’s maniacally worse is that your might-be sociopathic partner does not even believe their self-serving lies. Sociopaths are so insincere that their expressions and actions are revealing more than what they’re saying.

5. Sociopaths Exploit Your Resources

You’re not even married, and yet your partner is already showing signs of exploiting your funds and resources, thinking that since you’re dating, what is yours is technically also his or hers. Sociopaths usually have this inclination that they are entitled to what you have – properties, power, and authority. Some of the subtle signs would be asking you to pay the restaurant bill or “borrowing” your credit card with the promise that the money spent will be returned in a given period.

John M. Grohol, Psy.D. says that “Most people who can later be diagnosed with sociopathy have had a pattern of behavior where they violate the basic rights or safety of others.”

Ending The Ties

If you noticed two or more signs that your partner is exhibiting, it might be a good time to weigh your relationship, assessing its benefits, and eventually ending it before things become messy. The thing about sociopaths is that for as long as they are taking advantage of you, they will not stop until you’ve been wiped dry. Sadly, the only way to be saved from becoming another victim is to cut ties before it escalates further into something permanent like marriage.

Just when you thought the movies have redefined how a sociopath is, the reality is most probably far from the delineation portrayed in fiction. One thing is for sure: what they show in the movies and on TV is not what it seems.

Continue reading “Sociopath Relationship Status: It’s Complicated”

There are many misconceptions about anti-social personality (ASP) disorder. Some people believe that persons with this kind of mental condition are dangerous or violent. This could be true in some instances. Despite this, it is important to note that just because someone is diagnosed with ASP does not necessarily mean that he is already aggressive or vicious.

Continue reading “Knowing More About Anti-Social Personality Disorder”

Characterized by anti-social behaviors, sociopaths are individuals who display aberrant moral conduct with the inability to harmonize with the rules imposed by society.

Continue reading “Sociopathology: Digging Deep Into the Mind of a Sociopath”

 

Do you ever wonder if the person you are talking to or interacting with is a sociopath? There are many traits or characteristics that you need to look into.

Continue reading “Characteristics of Sociopaths You Need To Watch Out For”

Many people use the terms “sociopaths” and “psychopaths” interchangeably.  Is there a difference between the two? Do they refer to the same thing?  

Continue reading “Sociopaths And Psychopaths: Discovering The Differences”