I’m going to court tomorrow against a Psychopath (DSM IV). I will look, feel and be POWERFUL! But in those instances when the fear of the Psychopath takes over what can I do to regain footing and psych him back?
No negative comments...
2006-09-11 18:20:49 · 11 answers · asked by LUCKY3 6 in Social Science ➔ Psychology
Dearest Rich: It actually takes an advanced degree in Psych to know a Psychopath, of which I've earned. And NEGATIVE means unhelpful, immature or irrelevant. A shame that you see honestly as a negative. Try to stick to the question...they are asked to be answered.
2006-09-11 19:00:11 · update #1
You are in court? If you have strong factual evidence keep it to the facts and only the facts. If its a psych game, he's probly gonna beat you, you're in his domain. His strength is in your weakness.
State the facts, keep it to the facts, be strong in your convictions, unwavering. If he tries to re-direct, go back to the most recent stated relevant fact. Keep it there.
Soon he'll get pissed, become more intimidating and beligerant in his attempts to redirect to his playing field. Keep your nerve, but state just as strongly the most recent relevant fact and demand tersely that he deal with it.
He more likely will explode (or implode), and his colors will be apparent for the room to see.
His power is in playing mind games. Never let it become one.
Good luck, not that you really need luck. :)
2006-09-11 20:38:45 · answer #1 · answered by DelusionRoad 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
What you want to do is not psych him out, but freak him out. Now you might say "how can I possibly freak him out, he's a psychopath for God's sake?" Well, not to fear, my friend, I've done this kind of thing before. When he looks at you, start poking yourself in the eye repeatedly. Make sure he sees you. If he doesn't see you, shout something crazy like "there's a clown in my cereal!!!" then laugh maniacally. Once you have his complete attention, take off your shoe and start chewing on it. Take off your sock and put in your mouth and shake your head violently like a dog does. Growl like a dog too. If none of that seems to be working, take the bailiff's gun and hold everyone in the place hostage. When the police arrive to negotiate, make absurd demands like "I want a three-legged albino platypus, and if I don't get it within the hour, I'm gonna execute a hostage, starting with myself!" Now if none of that freaks him out, then he's gotta be a bigger psychopath than I thought and you're SOL.
2006-09-11 18:49:36 · answer #2 · answered by Jimmy H 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do you want control over yourself, or control over him? Vengeance is uppermost in your mind, no matter how you couch the question. Do ONLY what you have to do and get out. What has been damaged in you will not be repaired by what happens tomorrow. Have you considered the possible consequences of focusing the rage upon yourself of a man who cannot empathize with you and does not fear or recognize consequences? Every day, you can read stories about women killed by a person they had a restraining order against. I suspect you have much in common with them.
2006-09-11 19:09:12 · answer #3 · answered by Like An Ibis 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Retain your composure, above all else. Let him rant while staring at him blankly. Chances are, if you give him enough rope, he'll hang himself. Wait for the Judge or Attorney or Bailiff to shut him up. Wait a few seconds, then answer the initial question. I was faced with a similar situation, and a trusted friend told me that when a wolf barks and snarls, you stand strong and silent. If you react -- he wins. That's what he wants. He's trying to throw you off balance and searching for a button to push. Good luck.
2006-09-11 18:30:19 · answer #4 · answered by ohio healer 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Ah... I thought it would be good if you think like him, too. Search your inner feelings into becoming like a real psychopath. There you will determine a psychopath's weaknesses and make use of them against him. Like, if he's thinking of killing you how would you counter that? Say, "I'd kill you before you even begin to think of killing me." lol... That should make you feel powerful over him. If he looks at you straight in the eye, look at him straight in the eye, too, and say to yourself, "I can read your mind and I'm going to crush you." He will see that in your eye.
2006-09-11 19:09:34 · answer #5 · answered by Mike N. D 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
they prey on fear and weakness...they often have narcissistic and grandiose characteristics.....they have little regard for people they can manipulate to get their needs met....they only respect some one whom they see as having personal power and who can challenge them, their thinking, and their behaviors. always remember that fear stands for False Evidence Appearing Real
2006-09-12 02:21:35 · answer #6 · answered by mochi.girl 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
just don't look at him in the eye, and use technical/clinical terms a lot so that you will loose him or confuse him in that matter, anyways psychiatrists are licensed to be vague - so big words will be in your favor. good luck, sir.
2006-09-11 18:27:26 · answer #7 · answered by paoui 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It takes one to know one.
...Is he really a psychopath or are you just angry at him for breaking up with you?
Does "negative comments" = honest replies?
2006-09-11 18:33:19 · answer #8 · answered by Rod 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I like OhioHealer's answer!!
2006-09-11 21:49:53 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
don't talk to him, and if you do talk to him... don't smile.... if he looks at you, just stare back... if he smiles, don't
look really pissed off.
Don't worry about it, because it will all work out, if you believe that it will.
2006-09-11 18:27:28 · answer #10 · answered by Hard Crowbar 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋