What Is A Sociopath?

A public service message. 

What is a sociopath?  It's not a "crazy" or psychotic person. It's not someone holding delusional beliefs that are provably false. This isn't someone suffering from auditory or visual hallucinations from a neurological or mental illness. It's not mania or depression. 

Some argue that sociopaths are mentally ill, but it is different from any treatable mental illness. 

"Sociopath" is a term for a person with an antisocial personality disorder. If you may be wondering if someone is a sociopath, here is the information you need to understand this personality disorder.

This is from the Mayo Clinic:

Antisocial Personality Disorder

Overview

Antisocial personality disorder, sometimes called sociopathy, is a mental condition in which a person consistently shows no regard for right and wrong and ignores the rights and feelings of others. People with antisocial personality disorder tend to antagonize, manipulate or treat others harshly or with callous indifference. They show no guilt or remorse for their behavior.

Individuals with antisocial personality disorder often violate the law, becoming criminals. They may lie, behave violently or impulsively, and have problems with drug and alcohol use. Because of these characteristics, people with this disorder typically can't fulfill responsibilities related to family, work or school.

Symptoms

Antisocial personality disorder signs and symptoms may include:

Disregard for right and wrong

Persistent lying or deceit to exploit others

Being callous, cynical and disrespectful of others

Using charm or wit to manipulate others for personal gain or personal pleasure

Arrogance, a sense of superiority and being extremely opinionated

Recurring problems with the law, including criminal behavior

Repeatedly violating the rights of others through intimidation and dishonesty

Impulsiveness or failure to plan ahead

Hostility, significant irritability, agitation, aggression or violence

Lack of empathy for others and lack of remorse about harming others

Unnecessary risk-taking or dangerous behavior with no regard for the safety of self or others

Poor or abusive relationships

Failure to consider the negative consequences of behavior or learn from them

Being consistently irresponsible and repeatedly failing to fulfill work or financial obligations

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Can you imagine someone displaying most of those symptoms? They are usually not quite as obvious as we would like. A lack of conscience is easily concealed by skilled or relentless deceit. 

Although they are bullies and cruel, they are often charming or convincing manipulators, easily duping people to get what they want from them. 

Not that anyone comes to mind...besides Capone, Genovese, Gotti, Hitler, Stalin, Mussolini, Putin, Kim Jong Un, Mohammad Bin Salman, Duterte, and all their minions, thugs and henchmen...and their admirers, of course.