Yes. well, bathroomscrubber, I would describe that as a sociopath, and I've known those too. The psychopath really is a criminal capable of appalling acts, feeling no remorse whatsoever. For some reason, I attracted both. I think it was my empathetic nature, and my willingness to invest in a person despite lackings. It cost me big time.

Long story, but I'll try to be brief...Just after my divorce from an unhappy brother-sister type unfulfilling 20 year marriage, I had my own little house in a subdivision, where a young man, age 32 (I was 47), kept coming by as I was outside working in my landscaping. He was persistent, telling me his story of addiction, his recovery, how he was now on the right track. He made very aggressive romantic overtures to which I responded. I know how stupid I was now, but at the time, all I can say is I was vulnerable after so long without emotional contact with a man. It evolved quickly, and he moved in with me. His mother, much like him actually, told me addicts are "very good" at finding places to live. He began stealing $ from me early on. Seemed not to be remorseful at all. I even gave him one of my cars, DUH. He took the car out at Christmas to do shopping for my present and didn't return. He picked up a young underage girl at the mall and took her to a motel plying her with beer. Again, no remorse. I kicked him out.

During the brief time he was living with me, I attended his AA meetings, watching him do his "thing." He would give speeches during the share sessions in which he was so articulate, evoking such compassion from the other members, including me. He really knew how to "talk the talk." But after kicking him out, he started stalking me, incessantly. I went to the police, but received little help. One night, he came to my house, broke thru my patio door with a rock, with a gun he had stolen from his parents' house, and chased me out into the neighbor's driveway trying to shoot me. The only reason I'm still alive is that the gun jammed. I really think he had committed murder prior to my knowing him, just from some of the things he had said while I was around him. The courts made me wear a beeper, and informed me of his activity, state of probation for years afterward. It's a wonder I didn't lose my job. Now, if I were in the same situation, I have no doubt I would have.

I'm ashamed to this day that I was so gullible, but one thing about the psychopath that is true, and which I firmly believe, is that they are consummate skilled con artists, and many intelligent people fall prey to them.