[longstrangelife]

Lately I've been studying Psychopathy. When I was in school for Psychology 35 yrs ago Psychopathy was considered a psychological illness. While it does have a psychological aspect to it I was intrigued to discover we now are learning to detect it with the MRI and that a psychopath's brain is different from non psychopathic brain. There is a guy I've know half my life that I'm sure is psychopathic. He's a functional psychopath and his illness has almost improved his life when he was young. But he's now in a position where he needs to be caregiver to his life long GF. This is causing him great troubles as I knew it would. He's constantly losing his temper and taking his anger out on her. He asked me for help because he knows I almost became a PhD psychologist. As is typical of psychopathy this guy lies constantly. I know I can't help him but I'm wondering if anyone can? I tried to tell him step 1 is to admit to himself that he's a chronic liar and he can't even do that. It just triggers his rage.

So what I'm asking is if psychopath's ever change, with or without therapy?

What type of help is he seeking from you? I've read therapy isn't usually successful with psychopaths as most aren't interested in therapy. If your friend is interested in evaluating his life and getting support, he needs a therapist that specializes in personality disorders.

[longstrangelife]

Originally Posted by rainyday107

What type of help is he seeking from you? I've read therapy isn't usually successful with psychopaths as most aren't interested in therapy. If your friend is interested in evaluating his life and getting support, he needs a therapist that specializes in personality disorders.

I assume he's looking for help in controlling his temper when there's a problem with his GF. She had a stroke so she needs help just to walk. When he was young he was a junkie. At some he went on Methadone but continued to use Heroin occasionally. After about 25 yrs he quit all of that. I mention this because Heroin users usually have relationships where the partner takes care of them. That applied to these 2. So her stroke threw him for a loop. Now he has to take care of her. He has been doing it but he's now losing his temper with her more often. He also realized she will never get well to the point he expected. I only realized he's a psychopath in the past year. Previously I thought he was just selfish and not a nice person. But the more I study psychopathy the more I see it fits him like a glove. He calls this woman his his wife, but neither wear a wedding band and since he always lies I doubt it. It's been 2 yrs since she had the stroke and I wonder why he stays with her. I can only think their house belongs to her and he has no place else to go. For him to ask me for help means his rage must be out of control and he's desperate.

I have also read that psychopaths don't respond to therapy, usually they never even ask for it unless they're in jail and they think pretending to want it will shorten their sentence. This is why he must feel desperate. I have currently distanced myself from him because I have my own problems to deal with.

[kazza34]

if he is asking for help because he is losing his temper with her, then is he really a psychopath ,if his consience is getting to him.thats just my thought

There are plenty of people who have temper issues that aren't even diagnosed with a PD. I have a temper and i kept under control, for the most part. I have bipolar.

Now the chronic lying is very problematic. That sound like a PD.

[longstrangelife]

Originally Posted by kazza34

if he is asking for help because he is losing his temper with her, then is he really a psychopath ,if his consience is getting to him.thats just my thought

I don't think it's a conscience that's bothering him. I think she owns the house they live in and if she has to go stay permanently in a home she will have to sell the house and he'd be on the streets. He doesn't just lie constantly, he's also a thief and assumes everyone else is also. I learned the hard way that if I lend him anything at all, I will never see it again. Additionally he blames his temper issues on Obamacare. He never thinks he's wrong. I'd stake my reputation on the fact that this guy is a psychopath.

You have to decide if you think he will become abusive. If he does, call the police.

[-jimi-]

No, psychopath or not, people like that do not change. If he abuses her during his tantrums I hope she is in the position to get away. Sounds like she needs the help.