Sociopathy (dissocial personality disorder) is a term that has recently appeared in psychiatry and denotes a persistent disturbance of a person’s character, which complicates his social adaptation, accompanied by a disregard for foundations and norms. Literally it can be translated as “socio” - society, “pathia” - disease. Literally, sociopathy is “a social disease, a violation of relationships with people.” Sociopaths are distinguished by aggressive behavior, bad character, and inability to build relationships with others. Today, the term “sociopathy” is fashionable thanks to various films and TV series about heroes who “go beyond” social rules. During the development of domestic psychiatry and psychology, scientists used another term: “psychopathy.” Within this disorder, their types are distinguished according to different classifications, but the following characteristics remain the same:
- persistence of manifestations of violation (they do not go away);
- totality (the violation affects the entire personality as a whole, and not individual mental functions);
- violation of social adaptation.
The line separating psychopathy and sociopathy is very arbitrary. And it lies in the origin of the disorder (etiology). Psychopathy is traditionally considered more of a congenital disorder, in which there are specific features in the structure of the brain and/or disruption of biochemical and metabolic processes that cause behavioral problems. Sociopathy has more social causes in origin - a destructive family, chronic psychotrauma, deprivation of affection and care in early childhood, a distorted type of upbringing, etc.
Etiology of sociopathy
There is no consensus among doctors and scientists about why sociopathy occurs. Experts name the following causes of the disorder:
- heredity;
- mistakes in education;
- problems in society;
- copying the behavior of a person suffering from this illness: imitation of an individual who is in a close environment - family or friends.
As a rule, the reasons act in combination, “layering” on each other, so it is extremely difficult to single out one factor.
Types of Sociopaths
Individuals with dissocial disorder are divided into two types:
- Passive.
- Active.
The first type includes calm and silent people, characterized by good behavior due to fear of being punished. Such individuals are aware of the consequences of their actions and restrain themselves. A provoked individual of the passive type behaves very violently. This type adapts more easily to society, and psychotherapy in this case is more effective. The active type cannot restrain himself. Such people want to attract everyone's attention and are characterized by conflict, fights and aggression.
Manifestation of sociopathy
From the moment of manifestation, sociopathy usually persists throughout the rest of life. A distinctive feature of sociopaths is considered to be destructive behavior towards the environment and towards oneself. Such people often suffer from alcoholism, drug addiction, and lead a promiscuous sex life. Individuals with dissocial disorder are unable to plan long-term. Restriction of freedom and suppression of desires are tolerated negatively by them. They may threaten others and use force. Sociopaths are excellent at manipulating other people. Since they do not understand interpersonal relationships and are not afraid to offend or hurt another person, they view others as means to obtain the desired result. Individuals with dissocial disorder always try to dominate others. What others want and feel is of no concern to them. At the beginning of communication, sociopaths leave a good impression. They can behave well and observe standards of decency as long as they feel their own benefit.
Features of a psychopath
Psychopathy is a congenital disorder caused by genetic predisposition. The first difference between a sociopath and a psychopath lies precisely in this: sociopathy, on the contrary, is a product of environment and social factors.
Psychopathy has been associated with disorders of brain development. Scientific research has shown that the parts of the brain of psychopaths responsible for impulse control and emotion regulation are underdeveloped. Psychopaths cannot build relationships with other people and create emotional attachments. Instead, they are forced to build superficial, artificial relationships aimed at manipulating loved ones for maximum benefit. Psychopaths perceive people only as means to achieve their own goals. They do not experience remorse or guilt about their own actions.
In society they are known as charming, decent and reliable people with stable jobs. Many of them have families and strong relationships with a partner. Quite often, psychopaths are highly intelligent and well educated, learning a lot on their own. If they find themselves involved in a criminal story, they will try to minimize the risk of punishment.
Signs of sociopathy
If the disease is hereditary, then the first signs of sociopathy appear in the child in the preschool period. The symptoms of sociopathy (dissocial disorder) are expressed vividly. This is explained by the fact that a preschooler cannot understand his benefit by observing the norms and rules of good behavior. Such children lack the experience to control their impulsiveness. Therefore, their antisocial behavior is often accompanied by negative actions characterized by cruelty. They torture animals, can even kill them, and bully peers and younger children. Children's disobedience manifests itself in such actions as screaming, biting, fits of anger, running away from home, and wandering. A preschooler never demonstrates tenderness towards his family. The older the child gets, the more he learns to disguise himself, his behavioral manners become tougher, his actions become more sophisticated. If parents react incorrectly, this behavior can become even more entrenched and worsen. It is very important to develop an adequate parenting style, since childhood is the period when the child is most sensitive to social norms; he copies behavior subconsciously. This is intended by human nature. It is possible and necessary to influence the development of sociopathy and mitigate its manifestations in childhood. By adolescence, the symptoms of a personality disorder begin to “bloom”: a teenager may begin to leave home, steal, severely beat other people, demonstrate pseudo-suicide attempts in order to receive benefits from relatives. There is a very high probability of various chemical and non-chemical dependencies, etc.
Distinctive features
What makes an empath stand out in society? Here is a list of traits characteristic of the behavior of an empathetic person:
- Eases the pain of others by accepting it, then feeling drained;
- Smells, sounds and low energy levels can overwhelm it;
- This is a good listener;
- He sensitively feels the connection with the subtle world;
- Gives more than he can get in return;
- Seeks to be alone in nature;
- Absorbs other people's emotions;
- Becomes an easy victim of narcissists, chronic talkers and energy vampires;
- Quickly tunes in to the same wavelength as other people;
- Can sense when something is wrong;
- Easily lost in intimate relationships.
This is a short description of a strong empath, but it gives a clear picture of this type of person. Many people try to hide their feelings under deliberate rudeness and indifference, but deep down they remain sensitive and vulnerable.
Diagnosis of sociopathy
Only after a thorough history can a person be diagnosed with dissocial disorder. The specialist records a stable lack of unity in most activities, emotional instability, attacks of aggression and poor control of actions. Symptoms of sociopathy include:
- lack of assessment of one's behavioral manners;
- disrespectful attitude towards people;
- refusal to accept generally accepted norms and laws.
This illness differs from the following mental illnesses:
- bipolar affective disorder;
- schizophrenia;
- neurosis;
- various manias.
Examination criteria
Sociopathy can be assumed if the following manifestations are present:
- predisposition to hostility that develops into violence;
- lack of feelings of guilt and the ability to draw conclusions from one’s own negative experiences;
- indifference to the feelings of loved ones, lack of empathy;
- ignoring moral principles, social rules and norms of behavior;
- strong denial;
- avoidance of any relationships and helplessness in maintaining them;
- accusing people around you for no reason, making unfounded claims;
- The individual welcomes conflict situations, so he often creates them himself.
All of the above symptoms are not always clearly expressed, sometimes they have a partial manifestation.
Additional symptoms of sociopathy that are of great importance when making a diagnosis:
- Predisposition to deception. An antisocial personality easily lies, manipulates people, and enjoys his actions.
- Frequent arrests of individuals by law enforcement agencies or public charges resulting from disobedience to the country's laws and authorities, as well as moral and ethical standards.
- Fights, protests, manifestations of irritability and aggression towards other people.
- Committing unjustified and risky actions.
- Involuntary antics in behavior and communication.
- Constant irresponsible attitude towards compliance with the regime and external requirements, financial obligations (for example, work from 09:00 to 17:00).
- Receiving joy from the discomfort caused and damage caused to others.
Definition
Sociopathy is a human emotional disorder, manifested in antisocial, impulsive, sometimes aggressive behavior, and inability to form close relationships. People suffering from sociopathy are not adapted to life in society. They are conflict-provoking, regularly cross the line, and violate socially prescribed laws and rules. They do not know how to empathize, have compassion and pity, they are cynical, self-confident, deceitful. They have difficulty experiencing disappointments and are unable to get rid of aggression peacefully. They tend to blame others for everything, do not learn from their mistakes, sanity is the norm for them.
Recently, people have increasingly begun to cover up their antisocial behavior by claiming that they are sociopaths, but not simple ones, but highly active ones. In fact, a true sociopath is unable to admit that he is not like that.
Sociopathy and social phobia should not be confused. The second term means fear of committing any public actions, actions that will be evaluated by the public.
Prevention
Since the etiology of dissocial personality disorder has not been fully studied, there are no preventive measures for this disorder. It can only be noted that sociopaths need a favorable environment. The child should feel the attention, care, affection, kindness and tender attitude of his parents. It is important that the child’s mother and father set a positive example of relationships - respect for all family members, no power or aggression. The child must understand what role people play in relationships.
Correction (treatment) of sociopathy
As mentioned above, the greatest effectiveness of correction of sociopathy is achieved in childhood. Parents are not recommended to aggressively combat sociopathic manifestations in preschoolers; it is better to immediately contact a psychotherapist or clinical psychologist to develop the most appropriate parenting strategy. Dissocial personality disorder is difficult to treat. The reason for this is the lack of ability to criticize their behavior and the reluctance of sociopaths themselves to turn to a specialist. It is difficult for a psychotherapist to establish a connection with a sociopath, which is important for proper therapy, since the client himself does not want to change anything. If the form of deviation has mildly expressed symptoms of an aggressive nature, those suffering from sociopathy can consult a specialist themselves. Usually they complain about the difference with other people, a different type of thinking, a feeling of lack of important moments in life, etc. This is an excellent therapeutic request that medical psychologists and psychotherapists at the Ember Center successfully work with, provided that the client himself is aware of the need to receive help. The Ember Center successfully works with the correction of dissocial personality disorder. Our psychotherapeutic course is aimed at strengthening family ties, observing traditions, and developing respect for laws, norms of behavior and rules.
How to recognize an empath
1. The ability to empathize. Even before a person shares how they feel, the empath already knows it. Additionally, he can simply walk into a room and feel the overall mood of the environment.
2. Moral support. Anyone who is suffering, experiencing emotional pain, or being bullied in any form needs moral support. Someone else's misfortune almost immediately attracts the empathy and attention of an empath. He simply cannot ignore when he senses or sees someone in trouble.
3. Desire for solitude. Being around people can drain an empath, so they need to be alone periodically to recharge their batteries. Even short-term solitude prevents his emotional overload.
4. Other people come to him with their problems. Empaths are usually like magnets for people who need moral support. Both strangers and friends are drawn to someone who empathizes with them. Empaths are able to feel, listen and understand what they are going through without judgment.
5. Developed intuition, inner voice. Intuition is the ability to understand something instinctively, without the need for conscious reasoning. An empath perceives the world through the lens of intuition. It is very important for such a person to develop his sixth sense, since it helps him understand people and build relationships with them.
What to do if a sociopath doesn’t want to change anything, but his family suffers?
A typical situation today: the mother of a young man calls and asks him to “cure him.”
During the conversation, it turns out that several specialists and different methods have already been “tested”, and all in vain. As a rule, the leading symptom is alcoholism or drug addiction. In such situations, we recommend that the mother herself come to an appointment first and start working on herself, her experiences, her reactions. After all, the behavior of a sociopath that he shows is inextricably linked with the reactions of family members (so-called codependency). Both mother and other relatives in this case are codependent. They are subconsciously manipulated by a sociopath, participate in his “performance”, pathological life system, scenario (they can be called differently, the meaning will not change). Therefore, by changing the attitude and behavior of relatives and mothers, we will influence the behavior of the sociopath, and perhaps motivate him to seek face-to-face correction from a specialist. You can also contact us through popular messengers:
Don't confuse it with anxiety
It is worth understanding that excitement and anxiety are natural human states that arise in any new or incomprehensible situation. This is an integral part of preparing for an important event, conversation or long-awaited meeting. Normal levels of anxiety do not prevent you from functioning and interacting with people. Despite all these feelings, you strive to develop your personality and make new acquaintances. If we are talking about social phobia, negative feelings overwhelm a person. They are accompanied by external manifestations (increased sweating, shortness of breath, nausea, urge to urinate, etc.). A person is literally seized by horror, and therefore he “locks” himself at home, trying to protect himself from similar sensations in the future.
