Sociopathic Symptoms

Sociopathy is one of the many personality disorders, also referred to as psychopathy or antisocial personality disorder (APD). The American Psychiatrics Association defines a sociopathy as 'A pervasive pattern of disregard for, and violation of, the rights of others that begins in childhood or early adolescence and continues into adulthood.' Sociopathic symptoms may show from as early as the teenage years although a diagnosis can only be made after the age of 18, on presentation of documented evidence of misconduct before the individual is 15. The symptoms can manifest in many ways, though there are certain personality traits that people with this mental disorder have a tendency to exhibit.

Causes

The exact cause of APD is not known, though there are a number of theories that have been floated. In the vein of nature versus nurture, some believe that sociopathy is caused by a genetic disorder, and is likely to exhibit in the offspring of sociopaths, whereas other theories believe that childhood abuse or neglect can give rise to sociopathic tendencies in adults. While the cause is still difficult to ascertain, it is likely that sociopathic symptoms will be more evident if the child is brought up in surroundings of abuse and neglect. Victims of child abuse exhibit a higher likelihood of being abusive adults, though a sociopath may use this very tendency to garner sympathy in his relationships.

Symptoms

Sociopaths are people who are capable of deception to an extent that most normal people cannot even comprehend. They are remorseless, manipulative and completely without conscience. Typically the following are the classic symptoms of a sociopath, though the list below is by no means exhaustive.

Superficial Charm
One of the symptoms of a sociopath is exhibiting superficial charm. Many sociopaths exhibit surface charm that masks their real nature. They are often good conversationalists with an innate skill to talk themselves out of tight spots.

Pathological Lying
A sociopath is most likely to be a compulsive liar or a con artist who will deceive without compunction. A sociopath can lie with complete confidence and some have been known to even pass lie detector tests.

Absence of Regret, Remorse or Shame
Sociopath characteristics include the inability to comprehend the emotions of guilt, shame, or remorse at their behavior and its effect on other people. They are incapable of feeling any attachment to others and will use people for personal gain without the slightest feeling of guilt.

Juvenile Delinquency
Many people diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder will have exhibited violent and/or criminal behavior as adolescents. Juvenile delinquency is one of the factors considered a symptom when diagnosing a sociopathic adult.

Egocentric, Narcissistic, Inflated Sense of Self
People with sociopathic tendencies live with a deep seated sense of superiority. They perceive themselves as overly important, to the extent that they exhibit rampant disregard for societal welfare.

Manipulative
Most sociopaths will use their manipulative skills to get their own way. They may exhibit behavior that seems to indicate care or love for somebody, but this is an act, and their victims, the means to an end.

Disregard for Societal Norms
Typically sociopathic traits include exhibiting scorn and contempt towards all society - societal obligations and commitments mean nothing. Many are able to get jobs with ease, but unable to hold one down because of erratic behavior, absence, and complete disregard for ethics. Many will rack up debt, have bad credit ratings, and take loans they have no intention of repaying.

Impulsive and Irresponsible
These are people who will make split second decisions on a whim, without thought of the consequences of their actions. People in relationships with sociopaths can be left repeatedly bewildered by jobs left, sudden disappearances, and the complete lack of responsibility that is displayed. Furthermore, most sociopaths may also exhibit the following:

• Shallow emotions, incapacity for affection
• Substance abuse - drugs, alcohol
• Promiscuity, sexually abusive behavior, even pedophilia
• Cruelty towards animals
• Disdain towards people who attempt to understand them

Treatment

The treatment of sociopaths is difficult, mainly because many are unable to see that they suffer from a disorder and will resist aid. A sociopath may also perceive the person treating him/her as just another person to manipulate. Treatment through medication is also not recommended, because of the likelihood that a sociopath may either not take prescribed medication, or manipulate the therapist into prescribing drugs that can be abused. One on one therapy sessions may, over time, be effective, but this could also be because sociopaths tend to 'mellow' with age, exhibiting extreme behavior in their early twenties, which reduces through the thirties and forties. However there is still the possibility that treatment will be completely ineffective - the sociopath's innate inability to grasp that he/she is mentally ill, is the stumbling block that will come up against successful rehabilitation.

Sociopaths can be difficult for a layman to identify, and you may well be a victim that will fall prey to his manipulative, scheming personality. The world over, they live, con and manipulate their way through life. Understanding sociopathic symptoms will help you recognize characteristic traits and guard against setting yourself up for disaster.