[Demon]

When you drop the mask and share your true opinions with people, do you guys ever feel like you're talking to a bunch of aliens and you're the only normal person?

When I have the mask on, I get on well with people because I'm acting exactly like them, but when I drop the mask, it's almost as though we're speaking two different languages at times.

Which brings me to my next question...

Do you guys ever drop the mask around people you know well or do you wear a mask (fake empathy, sympathy and/or certain other emotions) even around your family and friends?

And...

If you are a psychopath or sociopath, do any of your family and friends know? If yes, how did they find out and how did they react to it?

[anneo59]

Hi Demon, I can't quite relate but I do know I act differently around different people. And I have probs, plenty, just not same as yours. I do have a nephew who sounds a little like you, but he's not on PC. I know there are various forums that you may find helpful, having to do with personality disorders, schizoaffective or schizophrenia stuff, really couldn't say, as I'm not a professional at all. But wanted to reach out and wish you the best!!!!! Hope you find some answers and help!

[gayleggg]

The only person I really let down my mask to is my husband. All others get smiles and "I doing fine" remarks. I've tried to explain it to others but they don't understand it. My daughter knows about my bipolar but we don' t discuss it very much.

[Atypical_Disaster]

When you drop the mask and share your true opinions with people, do you guys ever feel like you're talking to a bunch of aliens and you're the only normal person?

Definitely. Sometimes it feels like I may as well be speaking a foreign language like you mentioned because people just don't get it at all. It's gotten me into a lot of heated discussions before!

Do you guys ever drop the mask around people you know well or do you wear a mask (fake empathy, sympathy and/or certain other emotions) even around your family and friends?

There's a few people around me where I can drop the mask and they don't freak out about it. It's nice. But even around people I know well and that know me, I still fake empathy and such quite a lot because it's automatic for me to do so.

If you are a psychopath or sociopath, do any of your family and friends know? If yes, how did they find out and how did they react to it?

I wouldn't consider myself psychopathic, but I do have a few antisocial features on top of my NPD. My family does know that I'm a narcissist, and they've been very nonjudgmental about it. I think they were actually relieved when I told them, because it explained a lot of my behavior and they weren't so confused anymore! My close friends do know, and they've also been very nonjudgmental about it. I consider myself lucky to have people around where it's okay for me to drop the mask and just be myself.

[ocdwifeofsociopath]

My husband has ever only dropped his mask (in good company) to me, or when he is telling the honest truth because he knows people think he's making radical remarks for a reaction or because they are funny. I am the only one who knows he's not joking. To those he has no want of a relationship with, business, social, family, etc...he rarely pretends to show empathy or sympathy. Only if it benefits him. He has no problem saying i'm sorry to someone who has told hi their troubles as long as that person isn't being overly whiny or made him mad or annoyed.

[noswanson1982]

I've done things I've never talked about... I've felt things I've never talked about. People would institutionalize me if I did... There are times when it is appropriate to leave the mask on... People know I don't feel emotions in the conventional way, they are emulated. I study the emotions of others, and can almost convince myself that I have emotions at times (for instance, I listen to a very good song, and I get swept up in the song, but at the same time, not care at all whether someone lives or dies). For instance, there are family members who had a family friend kill himself. Now, they go and post that he's looking down on them from heaven, or having fun in heaven. Stupid idiots... if there is even a God, and a Heaven, then he is most certainly in Hell. And it takes every iota of willpower to resist just spilling it to them. Some days, I don't know why I keep the mask on. Perhaps, it is just to avoid the ensuing drama, and I hate drama. While my brain is powerful and I am literately articulate, and I believe I am the superior intellect to the people at my job, I am not very social, and I sound like a retard when I speak. I'm not very confrontation, but the thoughts in my head can be very dark and morbid at times.

[Goldenswallow]

Personally, I only had to look at the title to know what you were talking about. The issue of wanting to drop the mask, stop spending so much time faking expressions, emotion and empathy. But my issue, like you I believe, is that when I do drop the mask, people tend to take one look and run.
When it becomes overly tiring, I tend to hint, just to watch the discomfort in people, but after a few.. shall we say unpleasent reactions, hinting is as far as I go.
So yes, I do fake, alot. Its the only way to fit in with a world that assumes, due to lack of empathy, that you are inheritantly 'evil.' The stigma associated with sociopathy is unbelievable, however it is the same with any mental health problem I suppose.

Originally Posted by Goldenswallow

Personally, I only had to look at the title to know what you were talking about. The issue of wanting to drop the mask, stop spending so much time faking expressions, emotion and empathy. But my issue, like you I believe, is that when I do drop the mask, people tend to take one look and run.
When it becomes overly tiring, I tend to hint, just to watch the discomfort in people, but after a few.. shall we say unpleasent reactions, hinting is as far as I go.
So yes, I do fake, alot. Its the only way to fit in with a world that assumes, due to lack of empathy, that you are inheritantly 'evil.' The stigma associated with sociopathy is unbelievable, however it is the same with any mental health problem I suppose.

Dropping the mask is a great way to end an argument I usually see a lot of this when I do.
The stigma is rediculous, not all of us are evil, just more of a predator amongst lambs

Do you guys ever feel like you're talking to a bunch of aliens and you're the only normal person?
I more feel like I'm of a different species of the same genus!! Like they are homo sapiens & I am homo superior. I understand their motivations acutely. I understand why they do what they do & say what they say extremely well... I just don't identify! And I no longer expect to. It actually helps me to acclimate myself in social situations to adopt a view that I am undergoing an experiment. Observing the behaviour of another being. It's easier to stomach.

Do you guys ever drop the mask around people you know well or do you wear a mask even around your family and friends?
I've said many times that I don't wear a mask anymore & that's kinda ********... At least I've been realizing it lately. Incredible how denial can actually sneak up on you when you think you've been fully self-aware. What I seem to do is I lower it a bit, as per what is acceptable. It's the most lowered for my boyfriend/fiance, but even with him I fake it. It makes things happier for him which makes them happier for me.

If you are a psychopath or sociopath, do any of your family and friends know?
I'm iffy about the label, but I've disclosed as much to a few spare people who've been with me for an extremely long time & suspected as much anyway.

If yes, how did they find out and how did they react to it?
My friends had already had silent suspicions. I ran it to them by showing studies when I've gone through my serial killer research: talked about how it must be so difficult for people to relate to their mindset. Then brought up how a majority of them are never convicted of crimes & live pleasantly in society with little to no recognition... Then I sneak up with my confession! Aaaaand lo & behold, they pretty much have had a unanimous "I called it" moment.
As for my boyfriend, I openly disclosed as a precursor to beginning the relationship because I wanted someone I could be 100% honest with.