4 Signs Of A Sociopath: How To Know If You Have The Personality Disorder
If you relate to movie villains, you might be a sociopath.
Sociopathy is a condition that refers to a person’s antisocial behavior and ideas. Psychology Today aligns it with the features of antisocial personality disorder, a diagnosable condition in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, the bible of psychiatrists everwhere. “Antisocial personality disorder is characterized by a pattern of disregard for and violation of the rights of others,” the publication says. “The severity of symptoms of antisocial personality disorder can vary in severity. The more egregious, harmful, or dangerous behavior patterns are referred to as sociopathic or psychopathic.”
Read: How Do I Know If I’m A Psychopath?
While sociopaths have many similarities to psychopaths, and the words are often used interchangeably, psychopaths have more innate traits, while sociopaths’ tendencies are the result of social and environmental factors, like their upbringing. Here’s how to know if you fall into this category.
Your ego is enormous
Simple narcissists have huge egos, experiencing intense vanity and selfishness, and need constant admiration. Sociopaths are similar, having an “inflated sense of self” and of entitlement, the Huffington Post explains. “They tend to blame others for their own failures.” They also break the law or social rules because they think they are above those rules.
You are charming and manipulative
Sociopaths are liars, whether to accomplish a goal or just for the fun of it. The Huffington Post says at the same time, they are “charismatic and friendly — because they know it will help them get what they want.” And because they are so good at conning others, no one may ever find out that they have a personality disorder. “Due to their manipulative tendencies, it is difficult to separate what they say about themselves that is true from what is not,” Psychology Today says.
You don’t care about others
The DSM says sociopaths’ disregard for others “begins in childhood or early adolescence and continues into adulthood.” They don’t think to rules apply to them and will put other people in harm’s way to benefit themselves. On top of that, they don’t feel bad about it — they “demonstrate a profound lack of remorse.” The lack of empathy toward others may reveal itself in the fact that these people don’t have many friends, other than superficial relationships, the Huffington Post notes.
You’ve had brushes with the law
This would likely happen because you are irresponsible and impulsive, signs the Mayo Clinic attributes to people with antisocial personality disorder. That irresponsibility can extend to anything from social obligations to finances. The Huffington Post says sociopaths live the “pleasure principle,” constantly seeking stimulation and excitement.
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