[BrittyBird]

Is it possible for someone to be both a sociopath and a narcissist at the same time (sociopathic narcissist?) I know someone who displays many symptoms of both sociopathy and narcissism but I've never met someone before that could fall within both categories.

[amandalouise]

Originally Posted by BrittyBird

Is it possible for someone to be both a sociopath and a narcissist at the same time (sociopathic narcissist?) I know someone who displays many symptoms of both sociopathy and narcissism but I've never met someone before that could fall within both categories.

in general yes a person can be both, its called being dual diagnosed when someone is diagnosed with 2 or more different problems.

more specifically we cant diagnose you or anyone else that you may feel is this way. only their own treatment providers can decide whether this person actually is both or not.

my suggestion is leave the diagnosing of mental problem up to this persons own treatment providers and you either remain their friend or stay away from them based on your relationship with this person in a non medical mental health diagnosis way.

[WishfulThinker66]

Originally Posted by BrittyBird

Is it possible for someone to be both a sociopath and a narcissist at the same time (sociopathic narcissist?) I know someone who displays many symptoms of both sociopathy and narcissism but I've never met someone before that could fall within both categories.

Welcome aboard!

BrittyBird, as I am not entirely up on either it is difficult to provide an accurate answer. I do have personal experience with a sociopathic narcissist (diagnosed). It is my understanding that the narcissism is a symptom of the sociopathy.

I would really discourage you from attempting to self-diagnose this individual. It is one thing to have a suspicion but another to try to be a professional. Leave the actual diagnosis to them.

In the meantime, what you really need to do is evaluate whether you should continue to have an acquaintanceship with this person. If you are seeing red flags it might mean that you need to break ties and stay away.

[Skeezyks]

Here's a link to an article, from Psych Central's archives, that may be of some interest:

Are You Dealing with a Sociopath or a Narcissist?

[BrittyBird]

I should add that this individual denies any wrongdoing/causing harm to someone and thinks they are fine. The chances of them seeking professional help/professional diagnosis is not likely. It isn't someone I know per se but more of someone i know through a friend of mine,that was emotionally cheated on by them. Although I can't say what they are because I am not a professional,i have noticed their behavior changing drastically in a short time and it's nothing but red flags. I can't say anything or bring it up because this individual will get angry at me,cause trouble,etc so I'm steering clear of trying to talk with them..

[-jimi-]

People can be both, yes.

But I feel when it comes to people we might encounter, it is not that important which category they would fall under. The more important thing is that they have antisocial traits in their personality (not to be confused with AsPD which is just one of the antisocial diagnoses).

We have to know that there are quite many antisocial ways of behaving, and how we should not get in their way.

[Anatta]

Yes. There are proposed subtypes for all personality disorders.

One of such is the Malignant Narcissist proposed by Theodore Millon. A Malignant Narcissist has antisocial, sadistic, and paranoid traits in addition to their primary narcissism.

Fearless, guiltless, remorseless, calculating, ruthless, inhumane, callous, brutal, rancorous, aggressive, biting, merciless, vicious, cruel, spiteful; hateful and jealous; anticipates betrayal and seeks punishment; desires revenge; has been isolated, and is potentially suicidal or homicidal.

Will Titshaw proposed something very similar to what you are describing, the "Beyond the Rules" Narcissist. This subtype of narcissism includes antisocial (read: sociopathic) features.

This type of narcissist thinks that because they are so superior to everyone they do not have to follow the rules like most people and therefore show behavior included in the ICD for dissocial personality disorder and behavior, included in the DSM for antisocial personality disorder.

[rdgrad15]

Originally Posted by BrittyBird

Is it possible for someone to be both a sociopath and a narcissist at the same time (sociopathic narcissist?) I know someone who displays many symptoms of both sociopathy and narcissism but I've never met someone before that could fall within both categories.

I believe it's possible. I don't know anyone who has bot tendencies, but I'm sure it can happen. I do know people with Narcissism though, as well as Histrionic, so it can happen. I'd stay away from people like that if this person doesn't seem to care like you mentioned. They will never admit to wrongdoings and will always think they are better than everyone. Not just towards specific people, it's towards everyone.

[Mendingmysoul]

If you Google comorbidity for narcissism, you will find some conditions that coexist with narcissism.

[MojoMan77]

I would think that they kind of go hand in hand.

For laymen's terms, sure. Behaviorally, the two types overlap quite a bit, and if you're dealing with someone who has traits of either disorder, then you probably should've been packing your bags a week ago instead of worrying about the minutiae of mental illness categorization.

If you are such an individual and would like to understand your own mental processes, then there are a lot of distinguishing factors between psychopathy and narcissism (particularly when it comes to underlying psychology), and there are also a lot of overlapping traits. NPD can have psychopathic traits. Secondary psychopaths can have narcissistic traits or NPD. Narcissists and psychopaths (both primary and secondary) can have antisocial traits or ASPD. Primary psychopaths can have narcissistic traits, but the underlying psychological make-up of a primary psychopath would make it very unlikely for them to have NPD.