I like sociopaths

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Originally Posted by theoretical For the purposes of this conversation, you're talking about primary psychopaths, who have a diminished capacity for experiencing emotions, particularly complex emotions. Anyway, you're correct that psychopaths process information, even emotional information, with logic. When I'm in a conversation with someone and they appear sad or distressed, I can read their body language and react somewhat appropriately, but I don't connect with them emotionally. I'm basically making a logical deduction about their emotional state, and I'm able to give purely logical responses because it doesn't affect me emotionally. Psychopaths are also a lot more resilient to stress and trauma than the average person, but they can still get butthurt over things that happen to them.

I have a hard time reading other people's emotions sometimes, too, even if I understand them and have an emotional response to them. Maybe we're different that way, but I try to find some similarities when I can. I think every human, no matter their limitations, struggles with reading, receiving, and or responding to certain emotions. But to *not* minimize your struggles, I cannot imagine what it must be like to not feel or understand emotions.

I think media sensationalizes certain disorders all the time. I have DID, but the media portrays us as sociopaths (which I think is distinguished from primary psychopaths, but I'm not sure in what ways). That said, most people with DID are not sociopaths, and such media sensationalism reduces the struggles that those with sociopathy might be going through. I also think that it is unfair of the media to paint those with primary psychopathy in a negative light, when not all of those with primary psychopathy are criminally deviant - at least that is what I've read somewhere (Hare, maybe).

And I think what most people don't understand is that while those with psychopathy are resilient in many ways, they still hurt, which is what I think you pointed out. The hurt may be felt differently for those with psychopathy, but it's not fair or right to hurt anyone just because of their disposition let alone anything else. It's one thing to defend oneself, but it's another thing to be judgmental and offensive at the start. I try to understand, and I try to admit when I don't understand. I unintentionally hurt people sometimes when I say certain words or react a certain way, but there's a balance between defending oneself (sometimes through boundaries) and actually intending to harm someone. Many people with the ability to feel and detect emotions unintentionally harm people when they misread or misjudge other people's emotions, actions, non-emotions, or intentions. Therapy does help with that.

I'm not sure if you've had any success in therapy, as many therapists may not understand psychopathy. I'm not sure why they use psychopathy, sociopathy, and ASPD synonymously. I once worked with a social worker (researcher) who knew a lot about the differences between the three. As his student and mentee, he did explain to me that not everyone with psychopathy meets the diagnostic criteria of ASPD, and not everyone with psychopathy has callous-unemotional traits; some may have unemotional traits without the callousness, and others may mimic emotional expression without actually feeling them (thus not truly representing the symptoms of ASPD). There may be considerable overlap between the three terms, but for some reason, psychopathy and sociopathy aren't listed in the DSM as their own categories, even if their mention may be elsewhere (which I don't know yet).

Also, I think your wanting a relationship with another person with psychopathy sounds great, but I think there have been success stories with those who claim to be primary psychopaths (born with it) and are married, holding down great jobs (I think as researchers, professors, government employees, etc.), and are doing great things for the community. As an undergrad a few years back, I read that somewhere, but I cannot recall where. It opened my eyes to my own misunderstanding of what psychopathy was.

Anyway, I thought I'd respond to you with some encouragement. Maybe the following might be funny or not received the same as others may receive it, but I like to give (((safe hugs))) online, so here goes: (((safe hugs))) It may not be the same thing as a real hug, but it generally means kindness and happiness and understanding are returned back and/or offered to the person you're speaking with.

I hope you have a great day today! Thank you so much for responding to me!

"I don't know about the OP's intentions. I would like to find psychopaths because I'm not sure I could handle close companionship with a nonpsychopath. You've all got too many emotions, and I don't know how to handle them all."

I know a few with aspd and some paths. They are easier to get along with because they are rational thinkers. Companionship is great provided you understand the disorders. Romantically it can be complicated.

I reread OP. I injected romance when their was none. My bad. Yes they can be good friends.

Wait, so what are the differences between primary psychopathy, other forms of psychopathy, sociopathy, and ASPD? Since this thread is about liking sociopaths, are you differentiating sociopaths from psychopaths?

When I enjoyed watching Dexter, I assumed that he was a sociopath, as opposed to a psychopath, given his early childhood experiences coupled with a possible predisposition neurologically. I also assumed that Dexter's hallucinations was part of sociopathy, but I now wonder if psychopathy involves hearing voices/seeing hallicinations as well.

What attracts you to liking sociopaths? Is it the thrill-seeking behaviors? Is it the crafty manipulations, given the keen sense of reading people through logic? Is it the social deviancy as a form of pride? Is it the uniqueness? Is it all of the above?

For me, I liked watching Dexter because that show brought a humane aspect to sociopathy - the kind that fought againts other predators that harmed others.

Then there are sensationalist movies like that one about Jason (I forgot the title of one of the recent films), where Jason had dealt with traumas growing up, and it showed his childhood. I think this was like a flashback movie depiction, which is presumed to be a backstory to all the Friday-the-13th films. I haven't seen all of the films, or Freddie vs. Jason, but I do like watching horror from time to time, depending on my DID levels.

Films like Split piss me off because they portray DID as psychopathy, sociopathy, or some ASPD mix. Then again, if multiple personalities include a certain amount of "persecutor alters," I wonder if there are a few people with DID who have one of the three disorders - psychopathy, sociopathy, or ASPD.

I'm rambling here, but I just thought I'd add to the discussion.

Please forgive me for my ignorance, or if anything I say is accidentally offensive.

I'm just curious to know what you all think.

AsPD is the diagnosis and has it's criteria. Psychopathy and sociopathy are sub categories, not official diagnosis. There are additional criteria.

The terms psychopath and sociopath are often synonymous with eachother and the differences, if any, are debated in the psych community.

A psychopath always has AsPD. Someone with AsPD is not necessarily a psychopath.

The movies and media are in general a misrepresentation of these conditions. There is a range in psychopathy from low functioning to high functioning. Some can exist and mask well in society and some can not.

True psychopaths can be hard to identify in real life. They generally wear a solid mask that they have built by watching others. Most are not killers and walk among us undetected.

Of course different personalities are intriguing, but let's nor treat these people like zoo animals. They are simply people dealing with issues like all of us.

Hope that helps a little.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheSadGirl AsPD is the diagnosis and has it's criteria. Psychopathy and sociopathy are sub categories, not official diagnosis. There are additional criteria. The terms psychopath and sociopath are often synonymous with eachother and the differences, if any, are debated in the psych community. A psychopath always has AsPD. Someone with AsPD is not necessarily a psychopath. The movies and media are in general a misrepresentation of these conditions. There is a range in psychopathy from low functioning to high functioning. Some can exist and mask well in society and some can not. True psychopaths can be hard to identify in real life. They generally wear a solid mask that they have built by watching others. Most are not killers and walk among us undetected. Of course different personalities are intriguing, but let's nor treat these people like zoo animals. They are simply people dealing with issues like all of us. Hope that helps a little.

@TheSadGirl

Thank you!

I agree with your statment about not treating anyone as "zoo animals." I often felt like a "zoo animal" when treated by some who were "fascinated" with DID, which is my diagnosis. Those with ASPD, psychopathy, and/or sociopathy shouldn't be treated like they are "fascinating subjects."

The media gets a lot of things wrong, and I being an ignorant one of what ASPD is, am guilty of believing in the hype that the media represents.

(((safe hugs)))

All psychological conditions are interesting. Even so called neurotypicals interest me because my brain does not work that way. I think it is simply important to be open minded and get to know people.

Of course. It's a skill. No one is going to be perfect at it, and we all **** up at times. However, the way psychopaths process emotional information is entirely different from non-psychopaths. MRI scans have shown that, when presented with people who are emotional, psychopaths use areas of the brain that deal with logic, and the emotion centers remain dark. Normal people's brains do the opposite. In certain situations, psychopaths actually outperformed normals in identifying emotions. So it isn't really a limitation, but a different way of learning entirely.

Now, when it comes to forming bonds with those emotional people and not only understanding their emotions on a deeper level, but also relating to them in real time, psychopaths are terrible. You might as well be asking a blind person to paint a tree.

I do have emotions, just not many, and I don't think I experience them the same way most people do. I can also, to some degree, kinda sorta empathize with other people, but it takes a lot of deliberate effort. For example, if I want to understand someone who's afraid, I have to deliberately stop and try to remind myself of a time when I was similarly afraid. It rarely leads to compassionate action, however.

Overall, it has its ups and downs.

Nope. It helps to be able to talk openly about it, but it's never really helped beyond that point, and I'm not paying that much money just to talk about myself.

There are such stories, and kudos to them for making it work. I'm not sure I could. The willing mate would have to be very patient and understanding, because home is my space, and I have no intention of placating their emotions when I'm home.

Thanks for the hug.

Yeah, I lack the emotional capacity for romantic involvement. Y'all mother****ers so needy!

Usually, but not always. You can be high enough on affective and interpersonal traits to qualify as a psychopath without being criminally deviant enough to qualify for ASPD. Considering the nature of psychopathy, the vast majority of psychopaths will at some point engage in criminal activity, which is why nearly all will also qualify for ASPD. But not all.

Don't worry about it; I'm not easily offended.

Quote:

Originally Posted by theoretical Usually, but not always. You can be high enough on affective and interpersonal traits to qualify as a psychopath without being criminally deviant enough to qualify for ASPD. Considering the nature of psychopathy, the vast majority of psychopaths will at some point engage in criminal activity, which is why nearly all will also qualify for ASPD. But not all. Don't worry about it; I'm not easily offended.

Police do not have ASPD, but some do have psychopathic traits:
The Surprising Benefits of Some Psychopathic Traits | Psychology Today

I’d be fascinated to meet someone who’s genuinely not needy/clingy instead of thinking they can hide how desperate they are for my time/attention.

In psychology they state that psychopathy is a subdivide of AsPD, so no according to experts you can not be a psychopath without having aspd.

Psychopathic traits are not the same as psychopathy. There are always people who have traits but don't meet full criteria.

Also to anyone refering to me as "ya'll" perhaps you should consider that there is a reason I know a fair amount about this.

Well, I've got a boatload of indifference for you!

Psychopathy and Antisocial Personality Disorder: A Case of Diagnostic Confusion | Psychiatric Times

By "ya'll," I meant non-psychopaths.

What are your credentials?

ETA: I didn't even realize Hare wrote that article until after I posted it. I thought that "plow their way through life" remark sounded kinda catty.

Love you, Bob! Keep up the fine work.

Hello,

Forgive me for being naive, but what is this fascination with sociopaths?

What's not to love?

For real though, it's probably just novelty, rarity, and the fact that most people are only familiar with the media's melodramatic portrayal of psychopaths, which real psychopaths, elusive and secretive as they are, do little to correct.

Also, I've noticed that a lot of people will remark on how calm and/or unemotional I am. They don't suspect me of being a psychopath (I don't think), but they seem to find my lack of emotional reaction amusing.

We will all eventually be skeletons. Isn't that cool? The same. So we must either love, or do things. Trip trip. And to the 5th dimension or infinite we'll go. Life is but a dream.

A really cool dream.

You can be hurt or manipulated by someone but it doesn't matter. We live we learn. It's all amazing stuff.

Here I am again. 😂 I have known a psychopath and hence did a LOT of research into it. How can I be sure this person was one? Formally diagnosed with aspd and before that conduct disorder. There is a history with the law and mental health professionals. They are sadistic with violent tendencies and urges. This person has zero capabilities of forming attachment to anyone, including family or romantic partners. So forth and so on.

Not all psychopaths present exactly the same, but this person has been acknowledged as psychopathic by professionals even though it is not an official diagnosis.

People can argue the aspd/psychopathy relationship to no end, but the consensus is that psychopaths all have aspd and will get diagnosed with aspd because psychopathy is not recognized as a diagnosis.

If you are not diagnosed aspd, you are likely not a psychopath. Disorders by definition must have traits strong enough to cause disruption in your life which usually leads to the conduct disorder or aspd diagnosis depending on age.

Can you be an undiagnosed person with aspd or psychopathy? Sure, but again given criteria is that is impacts your life and wellbeing, it is unlikely. Further more I reiterate that having traits does not automatically equate to being a psychopath. This is why disorders have multiple criteria and psychiatrists look at the whole picture to make a diagnosis.

A lot of people like to self diagnose and for whatever reason identifying as a psychopath seems to be the cool thing to do. I can not claim to understand that mindset.

Finally the few I know who are diagnosed aspd and classify as psychopaths rarely go around telling people and wearing it like a badge of honor. It isn't. Like any other mental illness it causes a lot of issues in daily life. Aspd is highly stigmatized in the mental health community with many professionals not willing to touch it. Medication doesn't fix it. Therapy doesn't fix it. There is no cure. While there is no shame in who people are, it certainly isn't something to be proud of in my opinion. It is still a mental illness, period.

It would be refreshing to see real discussions about living with aspd, with or without psychopathy, without falling into the trap of what the media says it is.

This is not specific to anyone here. It is my general frustrations about a very misunderstood condition. Too many people think it's cool and never talk about how much it really sucks.

My two cents.

Ah there must be a cure.. somewhere.. Never give up hope on the psychopaths.. If not, make it comfortable to live the best life possible instead of putting people in jail!

Except people that screw babies and stuff

In an advanced society where there's like a hundred billion rich people, it should be legal to kill cuz they'll just go to another dimension (In a simulation).

But first we have to find proof that we're in a simulation.

So don't kill people cuz that's not cool to kill people yknow.. People need to find a better hobby...

"Cure." Cure me how, exactly? So that I can become like one of you people? All ******* mopey and ****.

No.

It seems that this might degenerate into an argument so I would like to offer a quote from this website
How a Spot a Sociopath: 12 Warning Signs + 7 Ways to Protect Yourself
and this different definition
Sociopath | Definition of Sociopath at Dictionary.com
So in some way you are both right. There is no hard and fast rule here, so if you disagree, please agree at least to disagree without argument.

Thanks,
@CANDC