Characteristics of a sociopath, psychopath, and antisocial personality

In the 1800’s this disorder was called moral insanity. By the 1900’s the name of this disorder was changed to sociopath or psychopathic personality disorder. More recently, the name of this disorder has been changed to antisocial personality disorder.

The essential feature of antisocial personality disorder is a pervasive pattern of disregard for, and violation of, the rights of others, that begins in childhood or early adolescence and continues into adulthood. For this diagnosis to be given, the individual must be 18 years of age and must have had a history of symptoms of conduct disorder before the age of 15. The specific behaviors characteristic of conduct disorder fall into one of 4 categories: aggression toward people and animal, destruction of property, deceitfulness or theft, or serious violation of the rules.  

 DSM-IV (Diagnostic Statistic Manual 4^th addition) 

As with most disorders one must fit into strict criteria to be diagnosed with this disorder.

1. Failure to conform to social norms with respect to lawful behaviors as indicated by repeatedly performing acts that are grounds for arrest.
2. Deceitfulness, as indicated by repeated lying, use of aliases, or conning others for personal profit or pleasure.
3. Impulsivity or failure to plan ahead.
4. Irritability and aggressiveness, as indicated by repeated physical fights or assaults.
5. Reckless disregard for safety of self and others.
6. Consistent irresponsibility, as indicated by repeated failure to sustain consistent work behavior or honor financial obligations.
7. Lack of remorse, as indicated by being indifferent to or rationalizing having hurt, mistreated, or stolen from another.
8. The individual must be 18 years of age and evidence of conduct disorder in earlier years. DSM-IV (Diagnostic Statistic Manual 4^th addition) 

Characteristics of a typical person affected with antisocial personality disorder are:

• A sociopath is persuasive, charming, and is superficial.

• They are manipulative and cunning.
  Sociopaths do not recognize the rights of others and see their self-serving behaviors as permissible. They appear to be charming, yet they are covertly hostile; seeing their victim as merely an instrument to be used. They may dominate and humiliate their victims.
• Grandiose sense of self.
  A sociopath feels entitled to certain things as their right.
• Pathological lying.
  A sociopath has no problem lying coolly and easily. It is almost impossible for them to be truthful on a consistent basis. A sociopath can create a complex belief about their powers and abilities. A sociopath is extremely convincing and even able to pass lie detector tests.
• Lack of remorse, shame or guilt.
•  A sociopath does not see others around them as people, but only as targets and opportunities. Instead of friends, they have victims and accomplices who end up as victims. The end justifies the means and they let nothing stand in their way.
• Shallow emotions.
  When a sociopath shows what seems to be warmth, joy, love and compassion, this behavior usually means they have a self serving motive. They become outraged by insignificant matters, yet remaining unmoved and cold by what would upset a typical person. Since they are not genuine, neither are their promises.
• Incapacity for love.
• Need for stimulation.
  Sociopaths love to live on the edge. Verbal outbursts and physical abuse are normal behaviors for a sociopath. Promiscuity and gambling are common.
• Heartless and lack of empathy, or sympathy.
  Sociopaths are unable to empathize with the pain of their victims, having only contempt for others’ feelings of distress and readily taking advantage of them.
• Impulsive.
  Rage and abuse, alternating with small expressions of love and approval produce an addictive cycle for abuser and abused, as well as creating hopelessness in the victim. A sociopath believes they are all-powerful, all-knowing, entitled to every wish, no sense of personal boundaries, and no concern for their impact on others.
• Early behavior problems/juvenile delinquency.
  A sociopath usually has a history of behavioral and academic difficulties, yet gets through by conning others. They have problems making and keeping friends. It is common for the sociopath to display deviant behaviors, such as cruelty to people or animals, stealing, etc.
• Irresponsible and unreliable.
  A sociopath is not concerned about wrecking peoples’ lives and dreams. They are typically oblivious or indifferent to the devastation they cause. They do not accept blame, but blames others, even for acts they obviously committed.
• Promiscuous sexual behavior.
  Promiscuity, child sexual abuse, rape and sexual acting out are all common in a sociopath.
• Parasitic/cling-on Lifestyle.
  A sociopath tends to move around a lot. They have a poor work ethic but will exploit others effectively.
• Versatile.
  Changes their image as needed to avoid prosecution. Changes life story readily.

There you have it in a nut shell. If you have a sociopath in your life, it is best just to drop that person from your life like a hot potato! Nothing good will come from a relationship with a sociopath.

If you have come into conflict with such a person or persons, do the following immediately!

 Notify your friends and relatives of what has happened.
 Do not be vague. Name names, and specify dates and circumstances. Identify witnesses if possible and provide supporting documentation if any is available.

Inform the police. The police will do nothing with this information except to keep it on file, since they are powerless to act until a crime has been committed. Unfortunately, that often is usually too late for the victim. Nevertheless, place the information in their hands.

Obviously, if you are assaulted or threatened before witnesses, you can get a    restraining order, but those are palliative at best. If you have been assaulted you can press charges with the prosecuting attorney and the sociopath will go to jail. This may give you enough time to go into hiding.

Notify local and national law enforcement agencies including the FBI. It is not uncommon for the sociopath to have outstanding warrants nationally because the sociopath moves around a lot.

Make sure that several of your friends have the information in the event something happens to you. That way, an appropriate investigation will follow if you are harmed. Instruct friends to take such an incident to the newspapers and other media.

If you are dealing with someone who has considerable money, you must realize that they probably won’t try to harm you themselves; they will contract with someone to make the hit. The sociopath is a coward and will not expose him or herself to personal danger if he or she can avoid it.

And again, drop the person from your life and run the other direction as fast as you can!

Tags: antisocial personality, dangerous, psychopath, sociopath