What really needs to happen is the other 95% of the population needs to learn how to deal with the folks with Antisocial PD, the world would be a lot better place, just think about it!
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So. I'm a sociopath.
- Thread starter NekoTheWolf
- Start date
What really needs to happen is the other 95% of the population needs to learn how to deal with the folks with Antisocial PD, the world would be a lot better place, just think about it!
My ex wife is a sociopath. the amount of hurt she has caused myself and my daughter is ridiculous. Not to mention pretty much anyone she has come in contact with. Ive done a lot of research on this considering that my marriage (and divorce) left me emotionally, physically, mentally, and financially devastated, and that my daughter has been attending therapy for years (she is only 8).
My advice to you- move to the middle of nowhere so you can't hurt any more people. someday, you're going to PO the wrong person and you're going to get killed.
My advice to you- move to the middle of nowhere so you can't hurt any more people. someday, you're going to PO the wrong person and you're going to get killed.
This bit on causes was interesting to me.
"Hare contended that the term sociopathy is preferred by those that see the causes as due to social factors and early environment, and the term psychopathy preferred by those who believe that there are psychological, biological, and genetic factors involved in addition to environmental factors.[20] However others point out that Hare appears to really believe that biological factors are predominant.[21] The term sociopathy was originally intended to indicate that social problems are the defining feature, whatever the causes.[22][23][24][25] "
I know you're still new to the diagnosis, but would you say your disorder is more derived from nature or nurture?
"Hare contended that the term sociopathy is preferred by those that see the causes as due to social factors and early environment, and the term psychopathy preferred by those who believe that there are psychological, biological, and genetic factors involved in addition to environmental factors.[20] However others point out that Hare appears to really believe that biological factors are predominant.[21] The term sociopathy was originally intended to indicate that social problems are the defining feature, whatever the causes.[22][23][24][25] "
I know you're still new to the diagnosis, but would you say your disorder is more derived from nature or nurture?
Well. I should report threats and personal attacks like that to a mod. Are you saying I should move to the middle of nowhere otherwise you'll kill me because of your resentment against sociopaths (due to your ex-wife I presume)?
A little of both probably. My mom is bipolar and was constantly jumping from man to man and religion to religion, my dad is a schizophrenic heroine addict, and I haven't seen him since I was 10. Just a horrible childhood (not that I use that as an excuse.) But on the same side I have some of the natural biological features. I think it's both really. Whatever it is, I want to stop being the way I am, I guess.
Funny coast to coast had a show on tonight about psychopaths. Be glad you are not one of those. about 2% of the population. Most at in prison.
GrumpiusMaximus
I've Seen Things You People Wouldn't Believe
In my work, I deal with Personality Disorders and it is very difficult for professionals to help a lot of the people with these diagnoses for a variety of reasons. I'm not going to paint with a wide brush and everybody is different but Personality Disorders are particularly difficult to treat and to get the help that is needed. Quite often, the medical community stigmatises too (I'm not medical).
As somebody who has also been diagnosed with a Personality Disorder, it's important that you're aware of it and can tell when your actions may affect others and yourself negatively. In those instances, my 'natural' reaction has to be tempered somewhat and rationalisation comes into play.
It's a tough thing to deal with, on both sides of the coin. Best of luck to you.
As somebody who has also been diagnosed with a Personality Disorder, it's important that you're aware of it and can tell when your actions may affect others and yourself negatively. In those instances, my 'natural' reaction has to be tempered somewhat and rationalisation comes into play.
It's a tough thing to deal with, on both sides of the coin. Best of luck to you.
Did no one catch the irony here?
Ok it's not real irony, more duplicity. Not a critique, just a reminder that "do unto others" needs to be always recognized by our dear OP.
As someone else said, your diagnosis is at least a good reference point to look at as you evaluate the social acceptance of your next move in society. O2.
I think sociopaths have a problem with the whole "do unto others" thing. I mean, that's what makes them sociopaths, right?
Hmm they said you're gonna PO the wrong person and get killed. At no point did they imply they wanted to kill you.
That's true about the stigmatisation. My gf has BPD (borderline personality disorder). Being diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder is actually terrible because in general people suffering from it are portrayed as downright "evil", manipulative, psychotic and sometimes dangerous and this EVEN by psychiatrists or psychologists. There is in the field almost a certain despise for people suffering with BPD hand a lot of de-humanization even by professionals going on with personality disorders in general. When really i can tell you by experience that all it takes is a lot of understanding, compassion and care.
When i see shows on the ID network like Most Evil about serial killers and such which is hosted by a PSYCHIATRIST, i have to roll my eyes. Evil? That's a moral concept and even more so usually a religious concept. Evil doesn't enter in what a serial killer does, it's a mental illness. It's not ok, but it's not "evil". If a psychiatrist uses such notion, they lose all my respect and they have lost all objectivity and credibility. When my gf has an "episode" (which usually includes verbal and physical assault, sometimes on herself too) i never make the mistake of thinking of her actions as evil. In this moment rationalisation doesn't enter in the equation, whatever beautiful and intelligent person my gf is has stopped being for the time being, arguing or shouting or nevermind fighting back will not help I am the only one in that moment who actually has an hold on reason and i hang firm to it until the moment passes (and when it does there is a lot of shame and guilt that the person has to deal with..and sometimes they can't deal with it which causes yet another episode...) this is the least i can do for her. The end result has been that she has improved with years and trust me and knows that unlike the rest of the world, her behavior (which she CANNOT control) will not cause me to abandon her (BPD is usually found, unsurprisingly, in people who have been abandoned as children, as my gf was by her mother...she never even knew her father) because apparently i'm the only person who's ever been able to dissociate the person with the disorder (some people refuse to even acknowledge personality disorders it seems to me, they seem to think if i'm not doing this, you should be able to also). A lot of the time even psychiatrist are not able to do that. They are not capable of saying what this person is doing or saying right now is not them but the disorder. There is some things one can do to improve sometimes, some things to be learned, but by and large personality disorders, especially the more serious ones are not ever gonna go away. They're like any chronic diseases, you can manage them somewhat maybe, but you can't cure it.
I do realise sociopathy is different in that the person usually will never care for the hurt they cause, but again, it is beyond their control. So in this sense it is not evil. In essence there is really no real evil probably because the vast majority of serious criminal acts happen while in an abnormal mental state . Either chronic or temporary. If you could without a doubt say this person was sane, knew exactly what they were doing, felt unbeliveable guilt an horror as it was happening and yet murdered their family...maybe. But who can say that? It doesn't make sense to me, killing or even just hurting other people always implies lack of sanity unless it was in self defense or during war (essentially the same thing).
To use the prototypical example Hitler wasn't evil, he did unimaginably horrible things, but was he evil? did the devil sit on his shoulder telling him to do these things? Did he rub his hands together thinking about how delightfully evil he was? He was just mentally ****ed. I'm not saying i pity him, but a the end of the day he was yet another HUMAN BEING with a personality disorder. It's just too bad back then nobody could recognise that and stop him in time... It never helps to dehumanize anyone. In fact, it gives us better understanding if we humanize and if not understanding, it can at least help us help the person. To just file some people into the evil folder is very lazy and too many professionals, if not always publicly, at least privately do so. But then again...they are ALSO only human....(But should still know better)
P.s: I do realise i just went on a big tangent here about "evil" but it is linked to the idea of stigmatisation by professionals and it is also something that has always really bugged me in general.
Actually I'm kind of serious. Read Sun Tzu, Nietsche, et. al., Get a college degree.
Sociopaths flourish in Fortune 500 bureaucracies. The closer you get to the top, the more your peers are also sociopaths.
At least you'll be diverting your negative energies on people that are willing to endure it (and dish it out).
OP, I want to wish you good luck with treatment. I've read through the thread, and I think you're genuinely earnest. Your willingness to seek treatment is a very positive sign.
Based on what you've posted, I gather that you're pursuing therapy as your primary means of a treatment? Medication has helped plenty of people, but it seems that all too often that many doctors are looking to psycho-pharmacology as a primary means of treatment. A lot of this depends on your doctor(s), clearly, and their approach regarding the value of therapy vs medication. But that's a debate all unto itself.
Based on what you've posted, I gather that you're pursuing therapy as your primary means of a treatment? Medication has helped plenty of people, but it seems that all too often that many doctors are looking to psycho-pharmacology as a primary means of treatment. A lot of this depends on your doctor(s), clearly, and their approach regarding the value of therapy vs medication. But that's a debate all unto itself.
I agree that Hitler was f'd up but I hardly think he was not responsible for his actions. He wasn't stupid, it's not like he knew what he was doing wasn't bad, he just didn't care. He only wanted power and gratification and the things that got him off were truly evil. I don't believe you can just excuse atrocious actions such as that to a disorder. There was a very distinct and ordered plan behind it. If the guy had half a conscience he would have stopped and said I can't go on like this or made attempts to keep it in check. He did just the opposite, he went at it full bore. People need to take responsibility for themselves, get help if needed and not just write their behavior off to if it feels good do it. Having a disorder is not a free pass.
slobake
resident ... something
I investigate health care professionals for a living. The only advice I can give you is do your homework on any pharmacuticals you are prescribed. I have seen cases where psychaitrists prescibe drugs that are dangerous if used together. It is great that you are seeking professional help but don't think that all health care providers are infallable. It is up to us to make sure our treatment is safe. I would also avoid taking a whole list of drugs you can be over medicated.
Yep, all doctors I've ever seen are very quick to hand out pills. You've gotta be careful of that stuff.
slobake
resident ... something
That I am not qualified to do. Whatever you are presribed you can research on line and/or talk to a pharmacist.
Did you know you can also check the license of most health care professionals? In most states that is public information. If a provider has had issues in the recent past it will be listed there. If you are interested do a search of medical board of ..... list the state you are in.
