What Is A Sociopath?

As I’ve said before a sociopath is a part of what is known as the Dark Triad alongside psychopaths and narcissists. (I like to separate psychopaths and sociopaths as conditions) plus Machiavellian.

The definition used to describe a sociopath is often interchanged with that of a psychopath by scientists and lay people alike. Like psychopaths, Narcissists and Machiavellian’s they are equally as lethal, charming, manipulative and have little regard, if any, for their victims (lacks conscience) see more below.

Definition By The DSM V.

The fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V ) has placed sociopaths under the term of antisocial personality disorder just like psychopaths. The DSM-V defines antisocial personality disorder as “[a] pervasive pattern of disregard for and violation of the rights of others, occurring since age 15 years, as indicated by three (or more) of the following:

1. Failure to conform to social norms with respect to lawful behaviours, 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 the safety of self or others.
6. Consistent irresponsibility, as indicated by repeated failure to sustain consistent work behaviour or honour financial obligations.
7. Lack of remorse, as indicated by being indifferent to or rationalizing having hurt, mistreated, or stolen from another.”

It is, however, important to note that children cannot be diagnosed as being sociopaths before the age of 18. But patterns of behaviour and personality traits will exist prior to adulthood. These children may be diagnosed as having a conduct disorder but not a sociopath.

It should also be noted that not everyone with Anti-social Personality Disorder will be a sociopath or psychopath. Also some people can have sociopathic traits without being a full-blown sociopath.

What Are The Symptoms And Diagnoses.

Psychiatrist and psychologist use the DSM-V antisocial personality disorder list while diagnosing someone as sociopathic.

The list contains the following descriptions as a list of symptoms belonging to sociopaths:

1. Appears to have great social skills. But this is a superficial charm.
2. A strong need to control. They require control over others and what is going on. A sociopath needs this control, has the skills to get it, and will stop at nothing to achieve it
3. Having good intelligence.
4. An absence of delusions or irrational thinking.
5. An absence of nervousness or neurotic manifestations.
6. Unreliable.
7. Pathological liar.
8. Lacks sincerity.
9. Lack of remorse.
10. No shame.
11. Poor judgment.
12. Fails to learn by experience.
13. Pathologic egocentricity.
14. Incapable of love.
15. Specific loss of insight.
16. Unresponsiveness in interpersonal relations.
17. Possible addiction to alcohol.
18. Suicide threats can be used to get what they want but rarely carried out.
19. Sex life impersonal, trivial, and poorly integrated.
20. Failure to follow through on any life plan or life goals.
21. Antisocial, they care little for rules, the law, etc. They are risk takers which lead them to have repeated clashes with the law and commonly has a criminal record.
22. Conniving, manipulative, deceitful, and dishonest. A blatant violation of the rights of others.

The DSM-V, (2013) states that only a small percentage of the population has the symptoms of being a sociopath. Specifically, between 0.2% and 3.3%. Males outnumber females by more than three to one in this diagnosis.

Treatment.

As there is no known cure and sociopaths are very unlikely to enter into any kind of treatment. It is best for people to learn how to spot them and protect themselves.

What Are Sociopaths Like?

While you might want to know what a sociopath is like you wouldn’t want to be really involved with them. They are natural predators and like to play with people in much the same manner as a cat does a mouse until they grow tired of their entertainment (similarly as do narcissists, psychopaths and Machiavellian).

They see you as being there to meet their needs, to serve them. Elevate them, benefit them, amuse them, and then quietly disappear when of no further value.

What Symptoms Have People Described When They Encounter A Sociopath?

Professionals (mental health & within the criminal justice system) who have dealt with sociopaths have described involuntary psychical symptoms in reaction to dealing with them. These have been recorded as: 

1. nausea
2. weakness
3. shortness of breath
4. pounding heart
5. crawling skin
6. general anxiety

All of these responses are pretty much similar reactions to coming face to face with a predator in the wild.

When you first encounter a sociopath, you may feel that the person is “off” somehow. But as the sociopath has a charming personality, it can be difficult to determine why this “off” feeling nags at the back of your mind.

Know The Signs To Help Protect Yourself.

Knowing the sociopath symptoms can help you identify a sociopath more clearly. This may aid you in steering clear of this person.

A sociopath is like a chameleon they can morph into a persona that will aid them in getting exactly what they need. They are comfortable in any environment. This may seem strange considering they are classed as antisocial. But they have great charm and possess incredible social skills.

Once they identify who they wish to target they will do everything, including breaking the law, to get all they can from that person. They will lie, cheat and manipulate the person or organisation along the way.

Remember they are parasites and will live off your generosity and gullibility. They will break your trust, take full advantage of any situation they can and will pretend to love you just to get what they want. The sociopath is incapable of loving anyone but themselves. It’s about power and winning at all costs.

If they find any kind of weakness in the person they have targeted they will exploit it to the fullest. They will then go on to drop that person when they are no longer of benefit to them. Remember this is all done without any feeling of guilt, shame or remorse.

Protecting Your Self Against A Sociopath.

This is the same as with psychopaths Machiavellian and narcissists. I’ve listed out several ways in those blogs if you find yourself either in a relationship or working with one of these types of people. As always I suggest you remove yourself from their company as soon as possible. But always with your personal safety in mind.

In saying that, I recommend a safety plan similar to those used by DV (Domestic Violence) victims. I would highly recommend you enter therapy immediately. This will begin your recovery process, aid you in building healthier boundaries and your trust in yourself again.

Work With Me.

If you need extra support then you can also work with me. We all struggle with stress and overwhelm from time to time. If you find this has become a problem for you and you’d like some support then schedule an appointment with me.