
Nov 02, 2010, 05:23 PM
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by (JD)
But...that's exactly what CBT does for the patient, especially the depressed patient, changing the way one thinks does indeed change the behavior. Going on feelings rather than what one knows logically to be true, coutering the negative thoughts does produce better behavior and better feelings follow.
|
True, for depression... But, to date, there is no therapy that has been proven effective in the treatment of psychopathy, unlike the numerous avenues which can be taken to help treat depression. Most professionals consider us a lost cause and won't even try to treat anymore. You pick up any professionally written, layman's book on psychopathy, and what you'll find is page after page of utter contempt for the psychopathic personality, numerous details of the horrific acts of certain psychopaths, a great emphasis on the concept that us psychopaths cannot be changed or helped - so give up all hope while you still can, and warnings to avoid us at all costs - even how to spot us so you can avoid us better. There is not a single piece of literature that I've come across written for a psychopath on how to cope with psychopathic behavior. There is a proposed treatment that was released just recently by Dr. Bob Hare, and it'll take years for psychologists to even become familiar with it, and it will probably be restricted to forensic units; i.e., prisons. Furthermore, even if this treatment does work, it will only address the violent minority of psychopaths. It will not help those law-abiding psychopaths maintain healthy relationships, control harmful behavior, and learn to be happy, functional members of society.
Now, you might not be a psychopath and probably don't care. But I happen to find this notion very discouraging with respect to seeking help and support. Frankly, I have returned society's contempt for me and my kind.
Quote:
Now if the disorder means one can't feel feelings, how does that change that they need to do what they know is right, when running on feelings isn't the best thing anyway?
|
Try changing an innate part of your personality, such as shyness. It's extremely difficult, no? Psychopaths are innately manipulative. I can see and work angles almost subconsciously. When I talk to someone, I'm constantly reading them and constructing an appropriate "mask" without even thinking. I can't even identify which parts of my personality are real and which are a clever mimic of human emotion anymore. But we have to do this, lest we be shunned by society.
In most cases, there's really no good reason for us to do what we know is right, other than to avoid prison. And, quite frankly, why should we? ... other than to avoid prison. Many psychopaths grow up believing they are the bane of existence, a notion which is constantly reinforced by parental figures, teachers, law enforcement, the media, etc... As a consequence, many psychopaths (myself included) grow up hating virtually everyone, and/or it creates the "us against them" mentality, and we feel rather justified in our "lashing out" at society.
Not to mention you all speak a language I can't even begin to understand: emotions. That just furthers the divide between myself and the rest of humanity.
Quote:
Pegasus is a member of the British Psychological Society and may very well be up on this topic. I, however, tend to avoid sociopaths.
Regarding the amygdala, it has been found to be suspect in a number of disorders including PTSD.
|
Pegasus can speak for herself. And I am aware that she is a member of the British Psychological Society. I was wondering what was her specific area of expertise. If she is an expert in psychopathy, I'd love to discuss it with her.
Regarding the brain abnormalities in psychopathy, the amygdala is not the only culprit. fMRI brain scans have also found abnormalities in the prefrontal cortex as well as faults in the wiring which connects these areas of the brain, hence the remarkable lack of ethical judgment, emotions, and ability to identify odors.
|