how to act around a sociopath?

Question

I am working with someone on a daily basis who is showing signs of being a sociopath, any advice on how to handle the situation?

Answer 1

Working with a sociopath or someone who has qualities of one is difficult just to think about. You will never know if they are telling the truth, out to get you or anyone else around you.
Sociopaths are different because they cannot love. They learn early on to show sham emotion, but underneath they are indifferent to others' suffering. They lack normal empathy feelings toward others.

They often live to dominate and thrill to win.

If you are working with a person like this, your number one challenge is to protect yourself from them.

Five Survival Tips

Tip #1 Accept Bitter Pill

The first tip involves the bitter pill of accepting that some people literally have no conscience, and that these people do not often look like Charles Manson or a Ferengi bartender. They look like us.

Tip #2 - Practice Rule of Three

When considering a any type of contact of any kind, practice the Rule of Threes regarding the claims and promises a person makes, and the responsibilities he or she has.

* One lie, one broken promise, or a single neglected responsibility may be a misunderstanding instead.

* Two may involve a serious mistake.

* But three lies says you're dealing with a liar, and deceit is the linchpin of conscienceless behavior.

Do not give your money, your work, your secrets, or your affection to a three-timer. Your valuable gifts will be wasted.

Tip #3 - Suspect Flattery.

Compliments are lovely, especially when they are sincere. In contrast, flattery is extreme, and appeals to our egos in unrealistic ways. It is the material of counterfeit charm, and nearly always involves an intent to manipulate. Manipulation through flattery is sometimes innocuous and sometimes sinister. Peek over your massaged ego and remember to suspect flattery.

Tip #4-do not join the game.

Intrigue is a sociopath's tool. Resist the temptation to compete with a seductive sociopath, to outsmart him, psychoanalyze, or even banter with him.

In addition to reducing yourself to his level, you would be distracting yourself from what is really important, which is to protect yourself.

Tip #5 - Avoid Contact

The best way to protect yourself from a sociopath is to avoid him, to refuse any kind of contact or communication. This is not easy as sociopaths tend to turn things around and make you feel guilty, shameful, or inadequate. Often this makes you want to try even harder to please them and get their approval. To keep a straight head-and resist temptation- it is best to avoid them completely.

Answer 2

Sociopathy is a very serious and rare condition that requires a professional diagnosis! See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sociopathy for a useful article describing the symptoms.

If your co-worker is just normally anti-social or unpleasant - some people are, particularly if they don't enjoy their work/their life - then keep your relationship with them strictly professional ie don't interact with them other than as the job requires and then be polite and confident but business-like. Try and screen yourself from them - literally by how you arrange your workspace and routine, or figuratively by meditating on other things, replaying a favourite song in your head, whatever.

If their behaviour is affecting your ability to do your job, then talk to your line manager. Many of the characteristics associated with sociopathy would break the rules of most workplaces so even if your co-worker is not a true sociopath, there may be issues your line manager would want to deal with.

Answer 3

Try not to make a snap judgement and research the topic thouroughly. If he really is a sociopath, they thrive on controlling others around them, you must appear as though anything he does is completely irrelevant to you and remain assertive and in control of your emotions. Distancing yourself from this person is the best way to manage the situation effectively. Remain professional and if possible superficial and do not allow yourself to be manipulated. If there is a risk of aggression or danger to yourself seek advice from your personnel department and maybe start looking for another job, however these people usually cannot maintain any job or relationship so he may leave quite soon if he becomes aware that he has no control over the people around him.

Answer 4

If you are honestly worried about your safety, I would get help right away from a shelter or the police. If they do have Anti-social Personality Disorder, there is very little you can do, and you should avoid him as much as possible.

Answer 5

Reinforce his chosen role on life. Eqiuip with tools for his new trade. Getting him to hang around his peers and look up to people who have burned down public buildings, bashed social workers.

Either, that or join the American Army.

Answer 6

I am really sorry for you. Such people can be a royal PITA (pain in the ***).
Try not to annoy or aggravate them. Let your supervisor or boss know about your concerns.

Answer 7

stay well away people like that these day stabb you for giving them the wrong look or smiling at u
KEEP AWAY muwwaaaaaaaa ha ha ha h a ha ha

Answer 8

Buy him a hammer then play blackjack.

Answer 9

Call the mental police.