So. I'm a sociopath.

[jugglingfreak]

I'm definitely a pathological liar. I lie without realizing I'm lying.

How can we believe you?


Just trying to lighten the mood.

I was glad to read you got other medical/psychological opinions.

I was referred to others for sociopathic tendencies. Which turned out to be my acceptance of death. (Loooong story, If you are really interested, PM me.)

I can only say what has been said. Stick with therapy, take and meds if needed, etc.

Don't get down on yourself (which is kind of hypocritical coming from me..) There are plenty of people diagnosed as "sociopaths" than lead regular happy lives and plenty of "normal" people who are just awful human beings.

All the best to you man.

 

[TOOL460002]

I'm definitely a pathological liar. I lie without realizing I'm lying.

Had a singer that was a pathological liar. We drove over an hour, in two cars, fully packed, to a gig that did not exist. It was absolutely surreal. I mean, he talked it up and we get there and more or less turn around. We knew he kept weird lies going at times, but that was a crazy strange day.

 

[paste]

Playing devil's advocate here. If your a pathological liar, how do you realize your lying if your not aware of said act? If you asked me to count how many times a day I itch myself, I probably couldn't tell you as I don't really notice myself itch myself.

 

[electracoyote]

Playing devil's advocate here. If your a pathological liar, how do you realize your lying if your not aware of said act? If you asked me to count how many times a day I itch myself, I probably couldn't tell you as I don't really notice myself itch myself.

I think the only way a pathological liar can be that way and realize it is by the number of times others bring it to their attention that they lied. Again, and again, and again.

Which is really sad, frustrating, and hurtful for the people around you.

 

[dkelley]

I'm certain that I'm verging on sociopath myself.... however I've learned to fake some social behaviors to fit in and succeed.

It's rough but it has many perks lol

 

[dkelley]

I'm certain that I'm verging on sociopath myself.... however I've learned to fake some social behaviors to fit in and succeed.

It's rough but it has many perks lol

When I read that i realize it isn't a very normal thing for someone to say

I guess that confirms my suspicions lol

 

[Dale D Dilly]

I'm certain that I'm verging on sociopath myself.... however I've learned to fake some social behaviors to fit in and succeed.

On the flip side of the coin, I've started lightly emulating sociopaths to help myself fit in and succeed. Every time I meet someone new I now take a second to tell myself, "down the road you might be able to get something our of this person" so that I'll be motivated to make an impression and connection. I guess it's called "professionalism."

My natural empathetic self would instinctually think, "I just want to be left alone to enjoy my day, I bet that person also just wants to be left alone to enjoy his day; I had better respect that." I also am naturally inclined to share leadership and control of everything. Most folks see that as being wishy-washy rather than trying to empower everyone a bit.

The change has been working well for me over the past couple of months. Folks pay positive attention when you take control of whatever scene you step into and frame it in your own clear way. They seem to generally like being approached even when you're doing it to burden them with more work or social obligation. I'm always irritated when others do these things, but apparently I'm pretty atypical.

 

[NekoTheWolf]

On the flip side of the coin, I've started lightly emulating sociopaths to help myself fit in and succeed. Every time I meet someone new I now take a second to tell myself, "down the road you might be able to get something our of this person" so that I'll be motivated to make an impression and connection. I guess it's called "professionalism."

My natural empathetic self would instinctually think, "I just want to be left alone to enjoy my day, I bet that person also just wants to be left alone to enjoy his day; I had better respect that." I also am naturally inclined to share leadership and control of everything. Most folks see that as being wishy-washy rather than trying to empower everyone a bit.

The change has been working well for me over the past couple of months. Folks pay positive attention when you take control of whatever scene you step into and frame it in your own clear way. They seem to generally like being approached even when you're doing it to burden them with more work or social obligation. I'm always irritated when others do these things, but apparently I'm pretty atypical.

Join the dark side Luke. Lol

 

[Gopherbassist]

what does an MRI have to do with a psychological diagnosis? Do you also have a brain tumor?

It would show lack of activity or development in parts of the brain which are associated with compassion and pro-social behaviors.

 

[Rickengeezer]

It would show lack of activity or development in parts of the brain which are associated with compassion and pro-social behaviors.

Phrenology would be just as accurate for that purpose (i.e., not), and much cheaper.

 

[fdeck]

On the flip side of the coin, I've started lightly emulating sociopaths to help myself fit in and succeed. Every time I meet someone new I now take a second to tell myself, "down the road you might be able to get something our of this person" so that I'll be motivated to make an impression and connection. I guess it's called "professionalism."

My natural empathetic self would instinctually think, "I just want to be left alone to enjoy my day, I bet that person also just wants to be left alone to enjoy his day; I had better respect that." I also am naturally inclined to share leadership and control of everything. Most folks see that as being wishy-washy rather than trying to empower everyone a bit.

The change has been working well for me over the past couple of months. Folks pay positive attention when you take control of whatever scene you step into and frame it in your own clear way. They seem to generally like being approached even when you're doing it to burden them with more work or social obligation. I'm always irritated when others do these things, but apparently I'm pretty atypical.

This sounds too neat and tidy. I'm calling BS.

 

[Dale D Dilly]

This sounds too neat and tidy. I'm calling BS.

I don't follow what you mean exactly; it's not emotionally neat and tidy for me, but I'm pragmatic and appreciate the results. This is just my very recent experience. The conscious change came along with a new, pretty open-ended, job and the opportunity to meet a lot or new people or avoid them as I chose.

In a mere couple of months, the deliberate change in interpersonal outlook hasn't launched me to the top of the organization I work for or made me look like the next candidate for the city council, but word gets back that people I meet with social and financial leverage are talking about me positively when I'm not around. I've had a few folks in positions to hire start asking me about where I'd like to be heading career wise which is very encouraging.

That never really happened in the past (In similar jobs) when I spent time agonizing over how others would feel and react during each interpersonal interaction. Maybe if you're as shy and sensitive as I am, it's a bad idea to treat others how you'd want to be treated. Now that I'm trying to think of other people as steps toward a goal and parts of my routine that need to be dealt with every day, I seem to get more cooperation and more respect without doing any more work than I did before.

I still have to unpack all of my interpersonal interactions and throw away my stress about what didn't go perfectly smoothly with them at the end of each day. That's just my nature and will take quite a bit of time to change I'm sure.

 

[fdeck]

I don't follow what you mean exactly; it's not emotionally neat and tidy for me, but I'm pragmatic and appreciate the results. This is just my very recent experience. The conscious change came along with a new, pretty open-ended, job and the opportunity to meet a lot or new people or avoid them as I chose.

In a mere couple of months, the deliberate change in interpersonal outlook hasn't launched me to the top of the organization I work for or made me look like the next candidate for the city council, but word gets back that people I meet with social and financial leverage are talking about me positively when I'm not around. I've had a few folks in positions to hire start asking me about where I'd like to be heading career wise which is very encouraging.

That never really happened in the past (In similar jobs) when I spent time agonizing over how others would feel and react during each interpersonal interaction. Maybe if you're as shy and sensitive as I am, it's a bad idea to treat others how you'd want to be treated. Now that I'm trying to think of other people as steps toward a goal and parts of my routine that need to be dealt with every day, I seem to get more cooperation and more respect without doing any more work than I did before.

I still have to unpack all of my interpersonal interactions and throw away my stress about what didn't go perfectly smoothly with them at the end of each day. That's just my nature and will take quite a bit of time to change I'm sure.

That's cool. Maybe you're merely behaving normally now, whereas you were pathologically timid in the past. I engage in leadership and delegation on an almost constant basis, but I don't think that I've ever exploited anybody.

 

[Dale D Dilly]

That's cool. Maybe you're merely behaving normally now, whereas you were pathologically timid in the past. I engage in leadership and delegation on an almost constant basis, but I don't think that I've ever exploited anybody.

I do think it's pretty cool. And it's good motivation to keep up the new approach.

I don't think "pathologically timid" is an apt description as I put myself in challenging and uncomfortable positions all the time. Let's say "pathologically polite" because I never feel right putting others in those positions. But yeah, I think of it as trying to behave like an ambitious leader (which I'd argue isn't quite the same as "behaving normally" since the average Joe doesn't treat other people the same way a strong leader, exploitative or not, does).

*edit sorry to drag this on so long if it looks like a tangent to people. I really do think it's an interesting way to think of this whole thing as a wide spectrum on both sides of "normal" instead of a singular pathology and hope FDeck and my's discussion facilitates that kind of thinking.

 

[GK Growl]

OP, what was the process leading to your diagnosis? The reason I ask is that most people diagnosed with mental health disorders usually get the diagnosis after something detrimental to their well being or the well being of others has or is happening.

 

[Munjibunga]

I'm not dangerous. The only crime I ever did was getting busted for pot. I'm not a psychopath after all. I've been very manipulative and hurtful to others emotionally though, the worst part is either that I don't care or I don't realize it. And guys, I had an MRI I'm a legit sociopath, my psychiatrist isn't feeding me crap here.

You can't be a sociopath. You didn't lowner us.

 

[spade2you]

LOL'd a the lowner'd comment.

Is being a sociopath such a bad thing in this day and age? A lot of my management has sociopathic tendencies. I've seen coworkers who tend to be sociopaths do less work than me and get a lot further. Being a perfectionist and very loyal has gotten me nowhere. It's entirely against my nature to do certain things, but I might have to if I ever want a raise again.

 

[electracoyote]

LOL'd a the lowner'd comment.

Is being a sociopath such a bad thing in this day and age? A lot of my management has sociopathic tendencies. I've seen coworkers who tend to be sociopaths do less work than me and get a lot further. Being a perfectionist and very loyal has gotten me nowhere. It's entirely against my nature to do certain things, but I might have to if I ever want a raise again.

I think in the workplace, and with ladder-climbers playing that game, you will see what appears to be sociopathic tendencies. But I don't think that necessarily makes any of your co-workers clinically sociopaths.

I think when it starts to cross over into other areas of your life, particularly your social life, and you see the manipulation and abuse extending into a wider and wider circle, that it becomes a problem. People in your social life aren't usually supposed to play by the rules of a highly competitive workplace.

 

[scorpionldr]

I've been very manipulative and hurtful to others emotionally though, the worst part is either that I don't care or I don't realize it. And guys, I had an MRI I'm a legit sociopath, my psychiatrist isn't feeding me crap here.

it's the absence (I can't tell, but judging from how you're talking about it) of guilt that makes you one. The fact that you don't care, as well......well that's a quality.

I guess the reason why it's a big deal is because "cut throat" will get you all the material, and none of the mental stimulation. The big gig or whatever it is will go away eventually.

if you care, start by caring for some of the others you steamrolled in your wake. I've been diagnosed for severe clinical depression, but hey, a lot of it hasn't exactly been my fault. Google goes a long way tho.

 

[fdeck]

LOL'd a the lowner'd comment.

Is being a sociopath such a bad thing in this day and age? A lot of my management has sociopathic tendencies. I've seen coworkers who tend to be sociopaths do less work than me and get a lot further. Being a perfectionist and very loyal has gotten me nowhere. It's entirely against my nature to do certain things, but I might have to if I ever want a raise again.

Nobody's ever going to get a raise again. Normal annual raises for doing the same job you did last year are a thing of the past, for a couple of reasons: First, inflation is very low right now. Second, wages have been falling relative to inflation, since the 80's.

I can't morally judge a person for having a personality disorder that they didn't ask for. But I can judge someone's behavior in a business setting. When I was a manager, it was my job to do so.

I think that abusive, dishonest, or manipulative behavior are never OK. Just because there's a disproportionate number of sociopaths in some occupations, doesn't mean that you can get ahead by trying to be a sociopath.

Part of being social animals with big brains is a mild level of manipulation that is rarely pathological. The "balance of power" includes not only manipulation, but also an awareness of manipulation. For this reason, I think you will find that most people, even if they are not climbers, are also not all that easy to manipulate, especially if you have nothing to offer them, and that they will defend themselves when needed. True manipulators know who they can **** with, and who they can't. If you don't have that instinct, your victims will destroy you, or even turn around and use you without your realizing it.

For a normal person, just being straightforward and honest is not only more successful, but a whole lot easier.

I've steadily climbed the corporate ladder, and I'm not a sociopath.