A sociopath is a term that people either throw around casually or exaggerate. Some people may call someone who has a mean streak a sociopath. Or, they may associate a sociopath with a killer from the movies.
In reality, it’s a lot more than that. A sociopath is a disorder, like many mental disorders, that falls in a spectrum. There are a lot more sociopaths than you think, but they may be a little more low-key about it. For example, they may come across as a slight narcissist.
So in this post, we will look at the characteristics of one.
Defining a Sociopath
The term “sociopath” can be a bit hard to define. In a nutshell, it’s someone who does not play by the rules. This person may be someone who acts only on impulse and doesn’t take any responsibilities. Some sociopaths, though in extreme cases, may not appear to have any conscience.
They indeed can range from someone who lies habitually to someone who kills for fun. Many are in-between these two extremes.
In order to figure out the difference a little more, let’s look at some defining traits.
They Have A Hard Time Keeping a Relationship
Because sociopaths have a hard time being honest, many people who are sociopaths end up destroying their relationship. Alternatively, a sociopath may be someone who abuses their partner, usually through manipulation or intimidation.
They Have No Empathy
A sociopath tends to have no empathy. They tend to be unable to see the world through someone else’s eyes. This can lead to the sociopath feeling no remorse when they have done something wrong, which makes them a danger in some cases. Some sociopaths may have some form of a conscience, but it is less common than you may think.
They Are Aggressive
Some sociopaths may be aggressive. That form of aggression can come in the form of violence or verbal abuse. It can sometimes be difficult for them to maintain their aggression towards someone.
In addition, a sociopath may be someone who thinks others are aggressive or hostile to them, even if there is no evidence.
They Are Manipulative
Someone who is a sociopath tends to be manipulative. This is why they are people who can sometimes move up in the world quickly, and they are people who may make short-term relationships because of it. The romanticized view of a sociopath tends to be someone who is charismatic, but not all sociopaths fit the bill.
They Are Dishonest
A sociopath tends to be someone who has a hard time being honest. They may lie, exaggerate the truth, or do something else to be dishonest. Many sociopaths are quite good at it, and they can deflect if they get called out.
They Are Irresponsible
A sociopath can have a difficult time not just with self-responsibility, but with other obligations. From avoiding paying the bills to never being on time, these are just a few ways that sociopaths will exert their power.
They Are Risky and Impulsive
Finally, let’s talk about sociopaths and their riskiness.
Taking risks can be good at times, but someone who is a sociopath enjoys risky behavior a bit too much. This especially applies if the person doesn’t care who gets hurt in the process. In some cases, they may hurt themselves and commit criminal fraud.
As for their impulses, they will make them quickly. Many of them will have a difficult time sticking to a single plan, too.
Treating It
Now that you know what a sociopath is, can it be treated?
It depends on what end of the spectrum someone is. If someone has mild sociopathic traits, it may be treatable through therapy. Someone with mild tendencies may blame others, and therapy can allow them to come to the realization that maybe, just maybe, it’s their fault.
Also, mild sociopaths tend to improve as they get older. With more life experiences and more brain development, there may be a chance that someone’s sociopathic tendencies fade away.
With that said, there are some who get worse over time. These people you may want to avoid. They can be nothing but trouble and lead you down to some dark paths in life.
What about you? Do you believe that you may have some sociopathic tendencies? If so, you may want to get yourself a diagnosis. Doing this can allow you to see what tendencies you may have, and allow you possible treatment.
If you want to consider getting a diagnosis, online tools may be able to help. Sites such as Mind Diagnostics can be valuable in learning whether or not you have these tendencies.
It’s a complicated disorder for sure, and there are no answers to what the solution is.
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