A.K.A. SOCIOPATH

Dawn Boyle

"BUZZWORD" - SOCIOPATH
 
If you have been following the Casey Anthony case or turned on the news, sociopath has been out there. It actually has been around since the 1930's. Sociopaths and psychopaths are the same thing. The original name for the disorder was "psychopath" but people and the media confused "psycho" with "psychotic". That is when the name was changed to sociopath.
 
Over the past few days I have done some research on sociopaths. It started by my wonderment of Anthony getting off for murdering her daughter. Made me want to understand how someone could be able to have done what she did (I truly believe she murdered her daughter) and act the way she has acted. I have spoken to a number of people, mostly mothers. It blows my mind as a mother myself, how she could have done (whatever it was) to her daughter and not blink an eye. That she either had a child "missing" OR dead but found the strength to get on out there and party like a rock star is beyond my realm of thinking.

In my research, I actually found out a lot of interesting information about sociopaths and the realization of  how I was recently affected by one. Scientists state that 1 in every 50 people are sociopaths. They don't have to be serial killers, there is a "spectrum" of sociopaths.

Often they work alone. They take language and they give it their own meaning. They smile a lot and they are very engaging. You’ll get the same smile when they sell you your house as what you get when they take it away from you. It’s all the same to them. In their minds everyone is fair game and everyone is, or should be, working for them. In one word, "entitlement".

Below is a list of what to look out for if your dealings with a person alarm you or make you question their actions. It amazing me how I was taken by a con. Luckily, I was able to escape the hold he had on me. This con, A.K.A. sociopath, reminds me of Patrick Bateman of American Psycho, without all the murders (- I hope)! A good looking guy with a lot of (supposed) money who wants to get you involved, make things happen for you, get you to the place you should be to use all of your potential. Translation... snake in the grass, looking for his next con, who is on the balls of his ass financially. People like this would even steal from their own grandparent, get caught and without batting an eye turn it around as if he were doing them a favor.

Reflecting on my involvement, I have befriended a number of people who were casualties of this sociopath. Chances are you might be a "friend" of his as well or have your own "friend" of this sort in your life. Take a look at the list below - does it remind you of someone?
 
This website http://www.mcafee.cc/Bin/sb.html summarizes some of the common features of descriptions of the behavior of sociopaths.

• Glibness and Superficial Charm
• Manipulative and Conning
  They never recognize the rights of others and see their self-serving behaviors as permissible. They appear to be charming, yet are covertly hostile and domineering, seeing their victim as merely an instrument to be used. They may dominate and humiliate their victims.
• Grandiose Sense of Self
  Feels entitled to certain things as "their right."
• Pathological Lying
  Has no problem lying coolly and easily and it is almost impossible for them to be truthful on a consistent basis. Can create, and get caught up in, a complex belief about their own powers and abilities. Extremely convincing and even able to pass lie detector tests.
• Lack of Remorse, Shame or Guilt
  A deep seated rage, which is split off and repressed, is at their core. Does not see others around them as people, but only as targets and opportunities. Instead of friends, they have victims and accomplices who end up as victims. The end always justifies the means and they let nothing stand in their way.
• Shallow Emotions
  When they show what seems to be warmth, joy, love and compassion it is more feigned than experienced and serves an ulterior motive. Outraged by insignificant matters, yet remaining unmoved and cold by what would upset a normal person. Since they are not genuine, neither are their promises.
• Incapacity for Love
• Need for Stimulation
  Living on the edge. Verbal outbursts and physical punishments are normal. Promiscuity and gambling are common.
• Callousness/Lack of Empathy
  Unable to empathize with the pain of their victims, having only contempt for others' feelings of distress and readily taking advantage of them.
• Poor Behavioral Controls/Impulsive Nature
  Rage and abuse, alternating with small expressions of love and approval produce an addictive cycle for abuser and abused, as well as creating hopelessness in the victim. Believe they are all-powerful, all-knowing, entitled to every wish, no sense of personal boundaries, no concern for their impact on others.
• Early Behavior Problems/Juvenile Delinquency
  Usually has a history of behavioral and academic difficulties, yet "gets by" by conning others. Problems in making and keeping friends; aberrant behaviors such as cruelty to people or animals, stealing, etc.
• Irresponsibility/Unreliability
  Not concerned about wrecking others' lives and dreams. Oblivious or indifferent to the devastation they cause. Does not accept blame themselves, but blames others, even for acts they obviously committed.
• Promiscuous Sexual Behavior/Infidelity
  Promiscuity, child sexual abuse, rape and sexual acting out of all sorts.
• Lack of Realistic Life Plan/Parasitic Lifestyle
  Tends to move around a lot or makes all encompassing promises for the future, poor work ethic but exploits others effectively.
• Criminal or Entrepreneurial Versatility
  Changes their image as needed to avoid prosecution. Changes life story readily.