Psychopathy
Psychopathy is characterized by symptoms that affect mood, behavior, and interpersonal relationships. Specifically, those with psychopathy typically demonstrate impulsive behavior, a narcissistic or self-centered perspective, chronic violations of legal or social rules, and a lack of empathy and guilt.
Understanding Psychopathy
Psychopathy is a somewhat disputed condition. It can be considered a mental health condition, but it is not in fact listed as such in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). The DSM-5 instead lists the diagnosis of antisocial personality disorder, and it is this condition that is often referred to as psychopathy or sociopathy.
The primary characteristic of antisocial personality disorder is a pervasive pattern of disregard for the rights of others. This may be expressed as failure to conform with laws, deceitfulness, impulsivity, aggression, reckless disregard for safety, chronic irresponsibility or failure to honor obligations, or lack of remorse about hurting others. In order to be diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder, an individual must be at least 18 years old and must have demonstrated symptoms by the time they were 15 years old.
While the term psychopath is often used in the media to describe people who commit violent crimes without remorse, in reality, those with psychopathy are not necessarily violent. Psychopathy indicates a lack of remorse about the act of manipulating or taking advantage of others in order to benefit in some way. While some people with psychopathy do commit violent crimes, others may simply use their superficial charm and ability to manipulate to get ahead. In fact, research shows that psychopathic personality traits are disproportionately represented among CEOs.
The Difference Between Psychopathy and Sociopathy
Although the terms psychopathy and sociopathy both denote a lack of empathy and are often used interchangeably, there are some important distinctions between the two concepts. First, individuals with sociopathy have a conscience (though a weak one), while individuals with psychopathy lack one. In other words, a person who is sociopathic might know they are doing something wrong, and may experience some remorse, but will generally do what they want anyway. An individual with psychopathy, on the other hand, will feel no sense of guilt or wrongdoing.
People who have sociopathy tend to act more impulsively, and they may be perceived by others as reckless or ill-tempered. Individuals with psychopathy are often perceived as charming, intelligent, and likable, as they typically have an ability to mimic emotions they do not necessarily feel in order to blend in with others and build trust.
Types of Psychopathy
Canadian researcher Robert D. Hare developed the Psychopathy Checklist Revised or PCL-R, a scale that measures psychopathy. This scale measures a general state of psychopathy, and researchers have further distinguished two distinct subtypes. The first, psychopathy with emotional detachment, is characterized by interpersonal and mood symptoms such as lack of remorse or a self-centered outlook. The second subtype is characterized by the prevalence of psychopathic behaviors, such as impulsivity and antisocial conduct, that violate legal, social, or moral norms.
Though some people may believe psychopathy to be something a person either has or does not have, this condition is more accurately viewed when considered as a spectrum. It is possible to have only some psychopathic traits, and some individuals may experience minor tendencies toward psychopathy while others may have more moderate to severe characteristics.
Psychopathy and Gender
Males are far more likely to be diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder or psychopathic traits. However, more research is necessary to determine if psychopathic traits appear more frequently in male individuals or if men are simply more likely to actually be diagnosed with antisocial personality. As existing research has traditionally focused on males with psychopathy, the condition is much less understood in individuals of other genders. It is possible that characteristics of psychopathy may be expressed in different ways across genders, which may perhaps lead it to be mistaken for other mental health conditions or personality disorders in diagnosis.
What Causes Psychopathy?
The amygdala, the part of the brain responsible for emotions, is believed to play a role in psychopathy. One study found people with antisocial personality disorder all possessed some manner of deformation in the amygdala. The physical reactions displayed by individuals who have psychopathic traits or antisocial personality are thought to result from these brain differences.
For example, most people experience an increase in heart rate and respiration, and sometimes perspiration, when they see violence in a movie or on television. Those who have psychopathic characteristics, on the other hand, do not experience the physical response of fear typical of most people, and they may actually become calmer when exposed to violence. This calm reaction may lead to fearless and reckless behavior.
Can Psychopathy Be Treated?
Professionals in the field often disagree on whether psychopathy is a condition that can be treated. Many believe no therapy or medication can fundamentally change the brains of those with psychopathy, but others believe there are techniques that can be effective in reducing antisocial behaviors, especially when an individual recognizes these behaviors and chooses to seek help.
One such technique is the Decompression Model, developed by staff at the Mendota Juvenile Treatment Center in Wisconsin. This treatment technique emphasizes the ways in which positive reinforcement can be used to shape behavior. Because individuals who have psychopathic traits do not typically respond to or learn from punishment, this technique involves providing a reward for every positive, pro-social behavior an individual demonstrates. Research has shown this type of treatment may reduce both recidivism and the likelihood of a person committing a violent crime in the first place.
According to the DSM-5, the symptoms of antisocial personality tend to remit over the course of life, especially during and beyond the fourth decade of life. However, the DSM-5 notes this remission typically only involves a decrease in antisocial behaviors, not a full reduction of all symptoms.
References:
- American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders: DSM 5 (5th ed.). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing, Inc.
- Pomeroy, R. (2014, July 11). Can psychopaths be cured? Retrieved from http://www.realclearscience.com/blog/2014/07/can_psychopaths_be_cured.html
- Psychopathy: What is psychopathy? (n.d.). Retrieved from http://law.jrank.org/pages/1884/Psychopathy-What-psychopathy.html
- Robinson, K. M. (2014, August 24). Sociopath vs. psychopath: What’s the difference? Retrieved from http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/features/sociopath-psychopath-difference#1
- Venosa, A. (2015, November 11). Psychopath definition may be different than you thought: 7 facts about psychopaths. Retrieved from http://www.medicaldaily.com/psychopath-definition-may-be-different-you-thought-7-facts-about-psychopaths-361112
Last Updated: 03-17-2017
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Angela S
January 17th, 2018 at 6:12 PMI need help
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The GoodTherapy.org Team
January 17th, 2018 at 9:02 PMDear Angela,
If you would like to consult with a mental health professional, please feel free to return to our homepage, http://www.goodtherapy.org/, and enter your zip code into the search field to find therapists in your area.
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Angel
April 19th, 2018 at 10:38 AMWho is the author of the Article?
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The GoodTherapy.org Team
April 19th, 2018 at 11:28 AMThank you for your question, Angel. I hope you’re finding our site to be a helpful resource! There is no named author for this article– the author of this page is simply “GoodTherapy.org.”
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Juliane
April 23rd, 2018 at 7:20 AMThank you for the article. Please subscribe me to the GoodTherapy newsletter
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The GoodTherapy.org Team
April 23rd, 2018 at 8:54 AMThank you for your comment, Juliane! We’re happy that you found this article helpful. If you would like to receive the GoodTherapy.org Newsletter, please visit https://www.goodtherapy.org/gt-newsletter-archive.html Once you enter your email address and select the content you would like to subscribe to, hit the subscribe button to complete your request.
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Lesley B.
June 8th, 2018 at 2:07 AMThank you for the article,it has helped me to finally understand why my partner is the way she is,she is not violent or murderous but she is showing a lot of the other pyscopathic traits,how to i contact you for advice and assistance?
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The GoodTherapy.org Team
June 8th, 2018 at 7:20 AMDear Lesley,
If you would like to consult with a mental health professional, please feel free to return to our homepage, http://www.goodtherapy.org/, and enter your zip code into the search field to find therapists in your area.
Once you enter your information, you’ll be directed to a list of therapists and counselors who meet your criteria. From this list you can click to view our members’ full profiles and contact the therapists themselves for more information. You are also welcome to call us for assistance finding a therapist. We are in the office Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Pacific Time; our phone number is 888-563-2112 ext. 1.
Kind regards,
The GoodTherapy.org Team -
Carys
September 9th, 2018 at 3:43 PMHey can u help me i strongly belive im a pyschopath and think i need help but im too embarrassed to say to my parents and go to a doctor what should i do ? Please help urgently
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The GoodTherapy.org Team
September 9th, 2018 at 4:43 PMDear Carys,
If you would like to consult with a mental health professional, please feel free to return to our homepage, http://www.goodtherapy.org/, and enter your zip code into the search field to find therapists in your area.
Once you enter your information, you’ll be directed to a list of therapists and counselors who meet your criteria. From this list you can click to view our members’ full profiles and contact the therapists themselves for more information. You are also welcome to call us for assistance finding a therapist. We are in the office Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Pacific Time; our phone number is 888-563-2112 ext. 1.
Kind regards,
The GoodTherapy.org Team
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Jevs
March 1st, 2019 at 1:26 AMHello please help i do believe that my husband is a psychopath he has anti social behaviour and personality disorders.He likes to control and manipulate me.He is lack of empathy.I wanted you to help him please.I did tried enter his postcode but its not working.He currently live in UK.
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The GoodTherapy.org Team
March 1st, 2019 at 9:05 AMDear Jevs,
To search for a therapist outside of the U.S. and Canada, please click here and select your country. If you’re looking for a counselor that practices a specific type of therapy or deals with specific concerns you can use the filters to narrow your search.
If you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency, in danger of hurting yourself or others, feeling suicidal, overwhelmed, or in crisis, it’s very important that you get immediate help! Information about what to do in a crisis is available here: http://www.goodtherapy.org/in-crisis.html
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Anonymous
September 27th, 2020 at 4:16 PMIt’s an interesting article: finding more substance is difficult without referring to journals. I am a narcissist and definitely a sociopath. I had counselling when I was younger but if I’m honest, because I’m so highly analytical (I have 8 different conversations to myself before a real event – anticipated or non existent – as though I’m preparing a legal defence; that it’s a roll of a dice as to what the answer is going to be when asked. Irrespective of that, the aim is to answer fluently and appear genuine. I can’t help it. I have always retreated whenever hearing or to avoid securing a diagnosis on my medical record. Obviously for the same reason: self preservation. I’m now in my forties and there is no respite. My daughter has low spectrum ASD, and I recognise her behaviours in myself. So I wonder whether I am high functioning autistic rather than the above, yet I cannot escape my agreement with narcissism and sociopathy. I am very direct and blunt and often have no empathy for anyone, regardless of their distress. In fact it annoys me because I find it pathetic. I am and for most of my life, been clinically depressed. But at times I wonder if I have bipolar. I have manic episodes of taking in the world, and then after substantial research; for instance brilliant commercial business ideas; i them fall into depression and accept that mentally I am not fit enough to undertake the idea because it was hopefully unrealistic for me. I lack any motivation, have used manipulation and fraud to surf through life comfortably. But then I look at my life more holistically and realise that if I did have bipolar, on a micro level, the pattern is recurring and within what I’d call macro episodes if that makes sense. I can spend a couple of years working exceptionally hard, reaching close to millionaire status, and then my impulsive and reckless behaviour will lead me to destroy what I created. I then take about 4 years or longer in a depressive state before the next resurgence of motivation. I cannot help cheating, or using criminal behaviour to get what I want even when I consciously try to stop myself. I convince myself it’s my only option.
I wouldn’t altogether rule out the possibility I am a psychopath. I spend my formative years not being able to switch off very dark thoughts and to me they would be the perfect thoughts to try and continue into my sleep as conscious thoughts to dreams. I am charming and liked, but I don’t crave admiration. I crave hate. I prefer to be hated, because that energy gives me a buzz, a drive. Whereas admiration is pathetic. It bores me rigid. I don’t have any friends, have always had issues maintaining friendships, but conversely, can make friends at a click of a finger, by ingratiating and aligning myself – mimicking – other peoples values to be accepted. Then usually yes I take advantage of people but nowadays I am able to resist that as much as possible.I fly into rages so easily that afterwards I wonder what I could have done. The size of a person etc means nothing to me because my anger is like thunder. Yesterday for instance I double parked and a guy drove past and out his middle finger up at me. I saw what he did, and then after 5 seconds snapped, following him for 2 miles at speed, beckoning him over. In my mind I was going to snap every finger off his hand. I accept this is not normal.
Is it possible that a combination of all these personality traits are possible in one person? I mean narcissism is fairly common: it’s on the increase as a result of society. Sociopathic traits or even psychopathic traits I accept are not normal. Bipolar? But could it be possible that these things can co-exist with a version of ASD? And therefore, which presides more dominantly?
I do plan very shortly to try and deal with this, but because of my personality I guess, I like to be aware of all angles before I embark on something, so that I am not leaving myself vulnerable to the mark against my medical record this may leave.
I appreciate your help.
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Heather
June 10th, 2023 at 1:18 AMI’m a psychopath and a narassisit I need help. I’m self obsessed.
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Charlotte
June 13th, 2023 at 12:13 PMDear Heather, sometimes it helps to talk to a professional in these instances. If you would like to consult with a mental health professional, you can start finding therapists in your area by entering your city or ZIP code into the search field on this page: https://www.goodtherapy.org/find-therapist.html. Once you enter your information, you’ll be directed to a list of therapists and counselors who meet your criteria. You may click to view our members’ full profiles and contact the therapists themselves for more information. You are welcome to call us for personal assistance in finding a therapist. We are in the office Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Mountain Time, and our phone number is 888-563-2112 ext 3. Kind regards, The GoodTherapy Team
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