My brother in law is a sociopath, and sometimes threatens suicide, he has also "attempted" a couple times...

Question

...but his attempts didn't seem like he really ever intended to die, especially since he ends up calling 911 HIMSELF. I really believe he is just trying to get attention. What should we do? I don't want him to "try" again and accidentally suceed.

He is getting some form of help. C.P.S. has been called (by their children's doctor) on them and now the state is paying for them both to get couples therapy and financial counseling, hopefully the therapist that does the couples counseling will see that he has much deeper issues than relationship problems, but sociopaths are good at fooling people who don't know them well.

1. Superficial charm and above average intelligence.
2. Absence of delusions and other signs of irrational thinking.
3. Absence of nervousness or neurotic manifestations.
4. Unreliability.
5. Untruthfulness and insincerity.
6. Lack of remorse or shame.
7. Antisocial behavior without apparent compunction.
8. Poor judgment and failure to learn from experience.
9. Pathological egocentricity and incapacity to love.
10. General poverty in major affective reactions.
11. Specific loss of insight.
12. Unresponsiveness in general interpersonal relations.
13. Fantastic and uninviting behavior with drink, and sometimes without.
14. Suicide threats rarely carried out.
15. Sex life impersonal, trivial, and poorly integrated.
16. Failure to follow any life plan.

Source(s):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/sociopath...
http://www.hss.caltech.edu/~mcafee/bin/s...
http://www.sociopathic.net/rants/thesoci...
http://www.angelfire.com/zine2/narcissis...
http://www.lovefraud.com/01_whatsasociop...
http://personalitydisorders.suite101.com...

Answer 1

Has he been diagnosed as a Sociopath (Antisocial Personlity Disorder) by a psychatrist, or is that just your opinion?

If he said he wants to kill himself, and calls 911, didn't they admit him to the hospital?

Somebody can be admitted to a psychiatric hospital involuntarily if there is sufficient reason to believe the person might harm himself or others.

I think he should be admitted to a psychiatric hospital for observation. Maybe they can start him on a regimen of medication and/or therapy that will help to alleviate this behavior.

Answer 2

Not much you can do. he can only be admitted if he want's too. You are not liable for his actions. This is obvious an illness you have no control over. Hopefully, he is seeking therapy. Your brother in law can't see that he is hurting the family by doing this, and this makes it hard on you. You can not help him if he doesn't want to help himself, and if he does succeed you should feel no guilt this was his choice. I wish you well and try not to become his codependent it will only make you stressed and feel sick. Best of wishes to you!!

Answer 3

issues like this are never a humorous tale , nor a humorous , however the reality that he's asserting / thinking approximately it at this sort of youthful age is a extensive undertaking. Im 80% optimistic its interest in seek of and likewise referred to as 'passive abuse' its whilst human beings make others experience sorry for them as a manner of manipulating them. Its nonetheless extreme and because hes so youthful and has already discovered what gets peoples interest , i think of he desires to talk to a expert, he ought to easily want to be conscious of that he's enjoyed so he needs human beings to 'supply up him' even nevertheless if he became goin to do it he might have merely carried out it allready as whilst your in that mindset you dont want rationalization from all and sundry you merely do it. I no you dont want the boy who cried wolf subject yet you ought to easily say nect time , nicely in the experience that your having those recommendations then you definitely ought to pass to the wellness center ward ( im optimistic this concept will scare him) if not be sure he talks to somebody , he might want therapy and antidepressants before it gets worst. reckoning on his mindset , you shouldnt push all and sundry like this too some distance as some human beings, merely want to 'proove you incorrect' good success

Answer 4

the best thing to do is just get him the help he is asking for. he wouldn't be doing this for no reason. if he wants attention, then give it to him. you don't necesserially have to be the one who pays attention. does he have enough money to support himself? if he does, then i suggest setting up a meeting with a therapist. you could offer to pay the first one if he doesn't want to go and he would have to pay the rest, that way he has nothing to loose if he goes. i hope he gets the help he needs. its never a good idea to toy around with these situations.

Answer 5

sociopath and suicidal are 2 different things stemming from different issues. If he wants attention I think it should be his family and friends that give it to him. Help him find help, help his family find him help.

Answer 6

Next time he acts up...backer act the guy....It definately wouldn't hurt....probally be good for him...