What is a Sociopath?

Sociopaths have what is known as "antisocial personality disorder," a chronic mental illness that is marked by a blatant disregard for and violation of the rights of others. They are people without a conscience, and no real regard for right and wrong. Deceit and manipulation are often present. Inability to love or have meaningful interpersonal relationship is common.

Other symptoms may or not be present, including:

Appear normal on the surface
Truly see nothing wrong with themselves
Nothing is ever their fault
Justifies their actions
Deep need for the respect, love, and gratitude of others
Superficiality, false charm
Inflated sense of self and superiority
Narcissism, excessive self-love
Self-importance not based on achievements
Lack of emotional depth, surface only
Incapable of normal human attachment
Relationships are a tool to get what they want
Lack of empathy
Contempt for those who seek to understand them
Authoritarian and domineering
Secretive and paranoid, worst fear is to be found out
Lack of remorse, guilt, or shame
Need for stimulation
Impulsive behaviors, lack of personal control
Irresponsible and unreliable
Promiscuity, infidelity
Parasitic lifestyle, they live off of others
Goals for life are inflated and unrealistic
Possess a wide range of skills used at the expense of others (criminal and/or entrepreneurial)
Seek total control over the lives of chosen victims
Attempt to create a willing victim
Assign their own behaviors to their victim

In order to be diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder, according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition, (DSM-IV), the following diagnostic criteria MUST be met:

1. Since the age of fifteen there has been a disregard for and violation of the right's of others, those rights considered normal by the local culture, as indicated by at least three of the following:
A. Repeated acts that could lead to arrest.
B. Conning for pleasure or profit, repeated lying, or the use of aliases.
C. Failure to plan ahead or being impulsive.
D. Repeated assaults on others.
E. Reckless when it comes to their or others' safety.
F. Poor work behavior or failure to honor financial obligations.
G. Rationalizing the pain they inflict on others.

2. At least eighteen years in age.

3. Evidence of a conduct disorder, with its onset before the age of fifteen.

4. Symptoms not due to another mental disorder.

In the strictest sense, a psychopath and a sociopath are not the same thing, though many use the terms interchangeably.

Psychopathy is generally considered biological in origin, while sociopathy is thought to be a combination of genetic and environmental influences. In other words, psychopaths are born and sociopaths are made. Some also make the distinction based on the severity and extent of the sadism. Where a serial killer would be considered a psychopath, your neighbor probably wouldn't, at least one would hope not.

So in some circles it might just depend on the extent of danger they pose to their fellow man. A run-in with a sociopath might be painful but tangling with a true psychopath could very well be deadly.

In studying serial killers and sociopaths in general, you will find a need for power and control at the root of the disorders. The sociopath lives in a fantasy world of their own making, and they have a real problem with anything that causes them to break that fantasy hold even for a moment.

Many serial killers don't necessarily begin with the intent of killing someone. They begin with a fantasy of total control, often seeing the victim as a doll or other object worthy of no more respect than a cockroach.

In their fantasy it always goes perfectly, and the victim is a passive part of the fantasy. Unfortunately for most victims, they break that illusion, and it angers the sociopath so deeply that they unintentionally kill their first victim. They make the step from sociopath to true psychopath.

Each article you read on the subject has a different qualification for this difference, and some deny a difference at all, only qualifying different levels of sociopathy. Either way, the last thing you want to end up as is the victim of someone who only views you in terms of their own fantasy world. The minute you act contrary to that fantasy, things get ugly fast.

Since sociopaths are takers, they tend to be attracted to givers.

If you are assertive and can stand up for yourself, they wont want to tangle with you. Don't live your life as a doormat, or they will take the invitation to wipe their feet on you.

Let's say you are pretty sure you have had a run-in with a sociopath. What do you do about it?

Do your best to avoid them socially.

If it is someone that you are in a more intimate relationship with, cut off ties. It sounds harsh, but you have to take care of you, and a sociopath will do everything in their power to see that that does not happen.

If it is someone you cannot escape, such as a family member, limit your contact with them and seek help from a professional in dealing with them.

There are various support groups both online and off. Find one and participate.

Sociopaths thrive on being the center of attention. Don't give them that opportunity. It may be your life, but to them it is just a game, and they will find a way to win it at all costs. You will lose, so don't willingly lose any more than you have to.

Sociopaths seek drama. Do not give it to them. Conversations will get twisted, actions will be misconstrued, and you can bet they will come out looking like the victim. No matter what you do, they will insist that you have violated them in some way, so don't even give them that chance.

Don't wait around for a sociopath to experience guilt, shame, or remorse for their actions. It will not happen. They don't see anything wrong with themselves. They may fake emotions for a short time, but will continue the same behaviors.

Do not ever give a suspected sociopath access to your money or belongings.

That seems pretty obvious, but this is where most people get conned.

Many sociopaths are pros at conning people. They have can't-miss business opportunities, financial troubles that only you can cure, they just need a little bit to see them through.

Be on the lookout for those red flags and don't ignore them.

Sociopaths often present themselves as experts and work very hard to earn your trust. Before you give anyone your money, check them out. This is especially important online where you can't always get a real feel for them.

Don't just accept the references they give you. Do a search and find out for yourself if they have any skeletons.

Criminal records are public record. Call the courthouse and get a copy of their record before you do any sort of business with them. Don't forget to check in other states where you know they have lived.

A sociopath is very good at only allowing the world to see what they want to be seen. Beware if they present themselves as perfect and never making any mistakes, and are secretive about their past.

If you can avoid it, never get into a legal battle with a sociopath. They are accomplished liars, and will have the court eating out of their hand in no time. It will cost you a great deal of time and money, and in the end all it does is further your stress.

If you begin to suspect you are dealing with a sociopath and things are getting ugly, document, document, document. Save every bit of correspondence from them, carry a tape recorder, and videotape their tantrums. Keep a journal record of all interactions no matter how small; they are admissible in court.

Finally, whatever you do, do not try to get even with them.

You are playing by a set of rules, they are making up the rules as they go. While you may be a law abiding citizen, they will have no problem breaking the law. While you are bound by conscience, they have none.

As soon as you begin to suspect you might be dealing with a sociopath, RUN.

"Never wrestle with a pig. You will both get dirty, but the pig will like it."

A sociopath can and will destroy your life if you let them, and they will enjoy doing it. The most important thing of all is take care of yourself. Do not allow stubbornness or pride to take you in even further. Knowing when to walk away can be your most important tool when dealing with a sociopath. Use it, and live to fight another day.

Nobody should be involved in a relationship that continually drains them of time, energy, or money, and gives nothing back. No amount of vindication is worth it.

Just trust me on this one.

As I have already said, not even professionals can diagnose a sociopath, so I wont even begin to say, "Yes, I certainly have dealt with a sociopath personally."

I do however have some experience with sociopathic behaviors.

I know what it is like to be sucked into a paranoid delusional nightmare where someone else is King, and I am merely a pawn. Just when I think I know the rules, the whole game turns upside-down.

I tried everything to cope with it, and nothing seemed to work. I felt like I was living in the world's longest episode of The Twilight Zone. I could not trust anything I saw, hear, spoke, or experienced. Anything could and would be turned around and used against me.

My life was totally out of my control for a time. I was afraid to leave my home, afraid to drive my car. I gave into fear and it ruled me.

So I finally figured out what did work.

1. Grow a thick skin - The things they are saying are intended to hurt, so why should I give them exactly what they want? They can and will attack, but it is up to me whether I am going to take it to heart or not. Yes, it hurts. Some things hurt worse than others, but just because someone hates me does not mean I am not loved, or unworthy of love.

2. Keep yourself accountable - If I slip up, break the law, or even say something I shouldn't, they will be there pointing their finger at me. So I've learned to watch my step in everything I do. They keep me accountable, and that isn't such a bad thing.

3. Be responsible for your actions - If I do slip up, I can make excuses and place the blame elsewhere, or I can take the adult route: I can take responsibility for my own actions. It really isn't that hard to say, "Yes, I did this and I shouldn't have. I really screwed up!" I've had to do it a lot, but so far it hasn't killed me!

4. Let each person decide for themselves - Some people are going to believe the things other people tell them about me. I have no control over that. Yet it turns out most people are far smarter than other people give them credit for. Most people see right through it on their own!

5. Be proactive instead of reactive - At first, I just waited for things to happen, then reacted. Now, if something seems fishy to me, I respond to it. I head it off at the pass. I protect myself first, and try to avoid it if I can. If I can't, I try to be proactive, to contact people myself and clear up misunderstandings before they have a chance to get blown out of proportion.

6. Know the truth - I used to ache to prove that someone was lying, and so often I could prove it if someone, anyone would just listen. I discovered that most people really and truly don't want to be a part of it. So, I have learned that as long as I know the truth, that is enough.

7. The power of choice - Just because I have been invited to play the game doesn't mean I am required to respond. I have the choice as to how I will react no matter what the situation. I can respond, but I can also walk away, ignore it, or channel that energy into something more constructive.

8. Detach yourself emotionally from the situation - Learning how to observe the situation from a position of emotional detachment relieves a great deal of the stress. Seeing a grown adult scream and call you names is really rather silly when you can avoid taking it personally.

9. Live your life - Even if they refuse to go on with their life, you can always go on with yours. Some people just seem to get stuck in a certain phase of their life, the revenge phase, the seek and destroy phase, the victim phase... whichever phase it is, they need you to keep it going. You don't have to play. You can pick up your toys and go home anytime you wish. Yes, they will keep trying to pull you back in, but they need your permission to do it. Keep your focus on your life where it belongs, and the rest fades into the background.

10 Succeed - It took me far too long to realize this, but the best revenge really is not just going on with your own life, but actually succeeding. The last thing they want is for you to be happy, so the best revenge is just making the most out of your life. Be happy!

I really do wish that some things could be different in my life, but all I can do is play the cards I have been dealt to the best of my ability. Like it or not, it seems some people are in my life to stay.

Yet they can only take from me what I am willing to give them, and the best revenge really is just refusing to play their game at all. Find your own happiness and focus on it with all of your might, and your life will begin to turn around too!