SOCIOPATHY

The terms sociopath and psychopath are often used interchangeably, as they have similar properties. There are many behaviors that can be seen as sociopathic. The terms psychopath and sociopath can be used interchangeably in daily life. But in reality, many researchers have revealed that the two terms are very different from each other. The occurrence of sociopathy in the individual is due to genetic, biological and environmental reasons.

1.     WHAT IS SOCIOPATH?

We hear the concept of sociopath on television, in newspapers and other media establishments. But do most of us really know the meaning of a sociopath? What makes a person a sociopath?

 It is a personality disorder without a mental or physiological deformation. They can lie, cheat, manipulate, steal, and ultimately feel little regret. So they don’t care about the results of their actions. Sociopathy is a serious mental health condition.

Sociopathy numbers are higher than most of us think. It is also more common in men than in

women.

2.     WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF SOCIOPATHY?

It is not easy to detect the symptoms of a sociopath. Because they know how to camouflage in social life. A sociopath "decides" to adapt or stay away. Generally, they are quite social and attractive. However, the emotional pleasure that most people get from socializing is not something a sociopathic individual experiences.

The symptoms are as follows:

a.    Antisocial behavior

• Not caring about the rights of others

• Not caring for the feelings of others

• Demonstrating behaviors that may fall under the category of criminal proceedings.

b.    Behavioral disorder in relations with people

• Lack of empathy

• Lack of morality

• No desire to establish close relationships

• Not dealing with others’; wishes and needs

c.     Lack of Sympathy and Empathy:

They cannot understand other people’s feelings and experience a lack of empathy. They cannot connect emotionally with others.

d.    Lie:

They always lie. These people do not speak about facts about past, present or future issues. They can also lie about everyday facts.

e.    Emotional Imitation

Although they cannot understand the feelings of others, they can easily imitate feelings of other people. Although they don’t have feelings, they can show a wide variety of emotions to deceive the people around them. Sociopaths are very proud and manipulative.

f. Egoist:

They can be abnormally selfish. They feel superior to others and may experience delusions about themselves. Most of them believe that they have unrealistic superpowers.

g. Manipulative:

They use their charm and high intelligence to achieve their goals. They do not feel regret or guilt when manipulating others to achieve what they want or to fulfill their desires.

h. Moral Behavior:

There is a high probability of engaging in immoral behavior, such as deception, lying, stealing, and acts of violence. They do not regret for these behaviors.

I. Symptoms of Sociopathy in a Child

Many psychologists and psychiatrists do not try to diagnose sociopathy in children. If a child

under the age of 15 is against the rules and laws, or has the characteristics of a sociopath, it can be considered a behavioral disorder. When the child reaches adolescence and still shows the symptoms of a sociopath, the child is diagnosed with Antisocial Personality Disorder. Here are the typical symptoms of sociopathy in a child:

• Not caring for others

• Hurt others

• Cruelty to animals

• Vandalism and property damage

• Stealing

• Pay no attention

3.     HOW SHOULD THE SOCIOPATH BE THREATED?

When you encounter a sociopath, it can be difficult to know exactly what to do or how to handle the situation. However, people crossing paths with sociopaths may not easily notice that they are interacting with someone with the above diagnosis. In many cases, sociopathy’s emergence requires time and interactions.

There are some steps and changes that you can do about yourself. First and foremost, it is an important detail to be careful during conversations.

4.     WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN SOCIOPATE AND PSYCHOPATE?

Interestingly, doctors don’t diagnose people as a psychopath or sociopath. Instead, in such cases, official diagnosis is an antisocial personality disorder. Most experts agree that both types of personality share similar characteristics. People with antisocial personality disorder cannot say for sure what is right and what is wrong. They also have difficulty building empathy.

Basically, given the difference between a sociopath and a psychopath, psychopathy can only be described as sociopathy, with more symptoms. Therefore, while all psychopaths are actually sociopaths, just because someone is a sociopath does not mean that he/she is also a psychopath. Psychopathy Research Association answers the question What is the difference between a psychopath and a sociopathwith a list of features specific to psychopathy.

For example, psychopaths lack the ability to feel guilt, regret, empathy or deep emotional bonds to someone or anything. They are usually masters of narcissistic, dishonest, manipulative and fraudulent appeal.

Perhaps the most important difference between psychopath and sociopathic personality types is whether the person has conscience. Our conscience is the ‘’little angel’’ that warns us when we are about to do something bad or harm someone. Although weak, a sociopath still has some conscience, but a psychopath doesn’t.

A psychopath learns to imitate the actions of others by acting as if he/she feels sad or angry when something goes wrong to avoid being discovered. He/She will be euphoric or rejoice when there is something to awaken these emotions. In reality, however, he/she feels nothing and only learns to overcome those emotions by observing the reactions of others.

On the other hand, sociopath, for example; understands that it is wrong to rob a bank. He/She may even feel regret or guilt. However, this still does not prevent him/her from performing the action. While the psychopath and sociopath have a lack of empathy, the psychopath places less emphasis on others, and the sociopath sees individuals as objects to be manipulated for their own benefit rather than people with emotions. However, since a person is literally malevolent or selfish, this does not automatically qualify him/her as a psychopath or sociopath.

PSYCHOPATH AND SOCIOPATH BRAIN

There are evidences show that the difference between the moods of a sociopath and the psychopath is found in brain chemistry. The brain of a psychopath is not shaped like the brain of an ordinary person, or even a brain of a sociopath. A psychopath may have real physical differences that make it difficult for others to understand their feelings. These differences can even affect how a psychopath’s body responds to certain stimuli.

For example, the issue that people should be exposed to violence in a movie. Most of the people’s heart rate accelerates, their breathing accelerates and they sweat. On the other hand, psychopaths have the opposite reaction: calmness. Psychopaths are more likely to be fearless and to be careless because they can be calm in the face of danger. Simply put: they are not afraid of the consequences of their actions.

5.     IS IT NECESSARY TO TAKE TREATMENT AFTER SOCIOPATHY DIAGNOSIS?

If you think you may have Antisocial Personality Disorder, getting treatment to relieve your symptoms is essential. It is difficult to do this if you want to avoid getting into trouble with the law, if you want to live with a high quality of life and you do not know that you are hurting other people. Instead of manipulating them, you need to learn empathy and how to respect others. If you have Antisocial Personality Disorder, you may not even notice that you are hurting others. You can take actions that you have not yet identified and that may harm others unintentionally. Therefore, it is very important to seek help. People with Antisocial Personality Disorder may tend to become depressed and isolate themselves. They may feel that they don’t have to be with others.

6.     HOW ARE SOCIOPATHY TREATED AND IS IT NECESSARY TO TAKE MEDİCİNE?

Treatment of antisocial personality disorder can be challenging. Because the symptoms of the disorder peak at the early twenties of a person, people can predict that their symptoms may improve in the forties and beyond.

Psychotherapy or speech therapy is often the recommended treatment for antisocial personality disorder. A therapist can help a person manage negative behavior and develop personal skills they don’t have. Often the first goal is to reduce repulsive behavior that can simply lead to arrest or physical damage. Family therapy can be a useful option for educating family members and improving communication, and group therapy can also be helpful when limited to people with ACD. Treatment should also address frequently occurring diseases that often include attention deficit / hyperactivity disorder, borderline personality disorder, and impulse control disorders such as gambling disorder or sexual disorders.

Sometimes medication can be given to help reduce aggressive or impulsive behavior. Medications can include mood stabilizers or antidepressants. If your therapist recommends drug use during the therapy process, medication can be used under the control of a specialist.

7.     WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF SOCIOPATHY?

Unlike psychopathy, Antisocial Personality Disorder is often caused by childhood neglect or abuse. The person improves this situation. Because how they interact with others has not been shown. However, this does not mean that there is no hope. The disorder can be fixed and you can get support. If Antisocial Personality Disorder is diagnosed, this is not the end of everything. A specialist can guide you on ways to cope. There are many misunderstandings about people with Antisocial Personality Disorder. Yes, they can be manipulative. However, it is not always intentional. Working with an experienced specialist will help you understand your illness and judge yourself less.

8.     IS ONLINE THERAPY USEFUL IN SOCIOPATHY TREATMENT?

Online therapy is the perfect place to find out if you have Antisocial Personality Disorder. It is also important to get this help if you are in a relationship with someone who is a sociopath. You can easily get the support you need by contacting Terapiya’s expert staff. Living with Antisocial Personality Disorder is not easy. However, knowing that it is diagnosed is better than living in the dark. Once you know what you’re dealing with, you can make an appointment to meet our experts who will guide you to lead a healthy life.