Can someone be part sociopath and part better human?

Question

I had a boyfriend, now deceased, who fit the description of a sociopath part of the time, and had integrity and kindness and tolerance the rest of the time. My primary source of description of a sociopath is the book, "The Sociopath Next Door" by Martha Stout, ph.d. The symptoms I saw were right in line with the sociopath in personal decisions about himself, such as drug abuse, alcohol abuse, smoking even though he had terminal Cronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, and decisions about himself and his personal health and safety.
Yet, with regards to myself, my mother, and his friends, he would spare no effort to be of service. He was supportive, always positive, and truely affectionate.
Is there a term that better describes this dichotomy? I'm looking for a wholisitic view on his personality.

Answer 1

I don't believe he was a sociopath." Self destructive " would better describe him.
A true sociopath has no reguard for anyone.

Answer 2

Many mental disorders can be misinterpreted as something else. What you describes could fit a lot of things. People who care for others but not any for themselves could be borderline personality disorder, just self destructive like someone mentioned. Or just an addict.

There's another disorder I can't think of that basically means they feel a need to take care of others and value them above themselves.

Answer 3

Sounds like he was just more concerned for other than he was for himself. I'm sure he will be missed.

Answer 4

move on ... you know its time to