Symptoms of a sociopath are important to know so you recognize one in your world. Recently a friend and I were talking about sociopaths and the symptoms of a sociopath. In light of my recent article, Taking Advantage of Good Will Online, let’s review the symptoms of a sociopath.
We’ll begin with the simple definition of a sociopath from Dictionary.com. Sociopath is a psychiatry noun that refers to “a person, as a psychopathic personality, whose behavior is antisocial and who lacks a sense of moral responsibility or social conscience.
For more clarification of the symptoms of a sociopath, I turned to the WiseGeek. I discovered it might be politically incorrect to refer to a person as a sociopath.
Here is what the WiseGeek has to say, “The term sociopath is no longer used to describe this disorder. The sociopath is now described as someone with antisocial personality disorder. The main characteristic of a sociopath is a disregard for the rights of others. Sociopaths are also unable to conform to what society defines as a normal personality. Antisocial tendencies are a big part of the sociopath’s personality. This pattern usually comes into evidence around the age of 15. If it is not treated, it can develop into adulthood.”
To find out more about the actual symptoms of a sociopath, I referred to WikiAnswers. I encourage you to click on the symptoms of a sociopath to see their list from “Profile of a Sociopath.” It gives you a complete overview of the symptoms of a sociopath and some of the characteristics are surprising.
Here is a brief excerpt from what WikiAnswers has to say about the characteristics and symptoms of a sociopath: “(1) having no conscience, (2) inability to treat others as human beings, with feelings and rights and (3) inability to learn from experience, from life. One result of this last is gross immaturity, though it may be hidden unless one knows the person well. A sociopath behaves as if he/she were the only person in the whole world and as if everyone else just existed for their benefit and had no existence in their own right. (4) Sociopaths treat other people as toys and hanker after the power to control and hurt their ‘nearest and dearest. (5) Many are monumentally self-important: they may pretend to be millionaires when in reality they are sliding towards financial disaster. (6) Habitual dishonesty.”
Do the symptoms of a sociopath look familiar to you? Have you known or gotten inadvertantly involved with a sociopath? You’re not alone. Sociopaths are typically manipulative and charming so often you don’t see them coming. Once you recognize the pattern, it’s time to end the “relationship.”
During the holiday season, our defenses might be down. We are caught up in good will and doing for others. This is a time when sociopaths try to take advantage of people both personally and online.
I encourage you to click the link above to read my article about taking advantage of good will online. The nameless, faceless nature of the Internet can make it a playground for sociopaths.
I also direct you to my article, “Are You The Victim of Domestic Abuse?” Being a survivor of domestic abuse, I know how you tend to rationalize your relationship around the holidays. After all, isn’t everyone supposed to be happy? You may find out you’re living with a sociopath. The article is an eye-opener and could help you start on a better way of life for the new year.
If you review the symptoms of a sociopath and see yourself, I encourage you to talk to a medical professional or counselor. There is help available and all you need to do is reach out and get it.
Here is an eye-opening video from YouTube about the symptoms of a sociopath. They refer to sociopaths as “emotional vampires” and define the major difference between a sociopath and a psychopath. Check out “Sociopath? What Is It?” at this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ha3XSeulqWY
Reference:
- wiki.answers.com/Q/How_do_you_know_if_someone_is_a_sociopath
- www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-sociopath.htm
- dictionary.reference.com/browse/sociopath
