sociopathy

When you think about a sociopath, you probably envision Patrick Bateman out of American Psycho . Films and TV make these characters look outrageously cruel and manipulative. In real life, however, sociopaths may be a little harder to identify. 'Sociopaths in real life often look charming and can be quite liked as a manipulation tactic,' explains Erin Rayburn, L.M.F.T, founder of Evergreen Therapy in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Not all symptoms are obvious, she says. When you meet a true sociopath, you’ll quickly realise that things don’t quite add up. They’ll seem charismatic and charming on one hand, but deep down, they’re actually deceptive, exploitative, and aggressive. That’s why it’s crucial to know the signs of a sociopath. You might encounter these people at work, on dating apps, or within your own family. Although the term sociopath is more commonly used, individuals who exude these behaviours actually have antisocial personality disorder , says Pavel Blagov, Ph.D., professor of psychology at Whitman College . Antisocial personality disorder is a mental health condition where someone continuously manipulates, exploits, or violates the rights of others without remorse. Antisocial personality disorder is more colloquially known as sociopathy, though this term no longer gets used in clinical settings , partly because of its derogatory nature. 'A sociopath is an individual who enjoys taking risks for personal thrill or gain, disregards societal rules or the feelings of other people, and lacks remorse for their harmful actions,' she says. They may draw you in, at first, but 'they lack genuine loyalty to others due to a deep-seated need for survival often rooted in a traumatic upbringing.' No one knows what causes the disorder, but experts theorize that genetics or factors like child abuse may contribute. People that we consider 'sociopaths' and are diagnosed with ASPD must have a long-standing history of aggression or rule-breaking, meaning this behaviour doesn't just come out of nowhere, says Jeffrey Cohen, PsyD, assistant professor of medical psychology at Columbia University . 'Human beings are complex and can fall somewhere on a spectrum of sociopathic behaviour, at times manipulating others for personal gain, demonstrating aggression, or lying, but perhaps only doing these behaviours in a specific context or certain relationships,' Kennedy explains. For instance, an executive might lie, manipulate, or behave aggressively to land a high-stakes deal, but at home is a loyal, responsible partner and parent. People might lie , deceive, or act deceptively, aggressively, or irresponsibly at times, Rayburn says. But to truly be considered ASPD, these behaviours are ongoing, consistent, and damaging enough to have an impact on their lives and those around them. Here are some signs to look for: Everyone is a bit egocentric, but people with the disorder take it to another level. 'They look out for their own needs first, [and] that would come before the needs of family or children or friends,' says Blagov. The individuals are selfish and self-serving and use subtle or frank manipulation to get their way, says Alex Dimitriu, M.D., a double-board certified physician in psychiatry and sleep medicine and founder of Menlo Park Psychiatry & Sleep Medicine . 'They’re antisocial because they don’t care about society or others, they care about themselves only. While most of us have been selfish at some point in our lives, in antisocial personality disorder, this is the rule, not the exception.' Most people fall along an 'anxiety spectrum,' Dr Dimitriu says, where some care too much and may have anxiety. People with ASPD care too little, but there’s an added element of disregarding the impact of their behaviours on others. The callousness of this behaviour can range from being verbally mean to physically violent, says Blagov. Not all people exhibit callous behaviour in the same way, however. These types often lie and use people –