What is a psychopath and how do I know if I am living with one?

Answer 1

Psychopath is now commonly referred to as Sociopath or Antisocial disorder.

Here are some signs....

Profile of the Sociopath
This website 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.

Here is the link for more info... http://www.hss.caltech.edu/~mcafee/Bin/sb.html

I have known 3 in my life. I am being stone serious. There are many out there but they are so good at manipulation it can be very hard to tell until sometimes it is too late.
If this person meets many of the symptoms listed... You need to get away before you are seriously hurt or affected by their lies, manipluation and impulse control issues.

Answer 2

Insane is a extensive time period, psychopath is a pick type of madness. Basically what you have simply requested is the an identical of "What colour/purple is well for a Halloween dress" or anything. I'm now not definite if you are asking approximately madness as a complete or psychopathy. Psychopathy is an overly sensible intellectual sickness. There are plenty of psychopaths available in the market who're residing fairly average lives, protecting down jobs, consuming healthful and exercise, and so on. Studies exhibit that only a few psychopaths are truthfully murderers or criminals, and they may be able to reside as lengthy or as quick as someone else. However, there are a few varieties of madness that shorten the predicted lifespan. Either given that they make it not likely that the bothered man or woman might be equipped to maintain themselves adequately -- now not bathing or consuming adequately, now not knowing the hazard in precise behaviors, and so on -- or given that their madness is truthfully borne of bodily defects that cripple their well being, comparable to an irregular mind or chemistry of their frame or hormones.

Answer 3

I figure by now you have read about the illness since you have access to a computer. It is not that common of an illness compared to drug addiction or say, compulsive eating.

A psychopath feels no guilt or remorse for taking a life, stealing, hurting another animal or human being. They are usually very smart and manipulative. There is no reasoning with a psychopath.

Chronic lying or manipulating are different. They cause damage as well, just in a different way.

Is your question deeper than this? Do you have a list of symptoms that make you think a person you are living with has this?

I wish you luck. If this person is not your relative and you are living with them and suspect he/she has this, you may ask yourself why you are staying in this situation. Chances are this person is not going to change. You can change the situation by getting out of it.

How about that for a ton of bricks.

Answer 4

A psychopath is someone who for whatever reason has no conscience. They are incabable of loving others or getting a warm glow over an unselfish action. They view life as a game and they are determined to set the rules and win. They manipulate by pretending to be nice, playing for pity, intimidation and (rarely) violence. They can be hard to spot but look for the pity play most of all.

Answer 5

Many people are complex, they could be suicidal and act like a happy go lucky person in front of other people. While some give off warnings, others tend to mask their true selves and put on an act towards other people. I doubt that you can ever really know if someone is a psychopath.
Sorry, But there is really no answer.

Answer 6

A psychopath has no ability to feel empathy...(although they may be good at faking it.) They are self-centered and predatory in nature. They use people for their own personal gain. (And have no real remorse about it. Although, again, they may be good at "faking it.") They are not capable of love. They are often very controlling, manipulative, and cunning. They don't mind stepping on the toes of others (violating the rights and liberties of others) in order to get what they want. They often have problems with the law (they may have criminal records that begin in their teen years or younger). They often have addictions to drugs/alcohol/sex, etc. They are often bullies. They understand how to use fear and intimidation to control others. They are often abusive (physically, psychologically, emotionally or sexually). They are incapable of really changing. These traits will have been present from childhood onward.

I recommend you read this book: "Emotional Vampires: Dealing with People who Drain You Dry." It's an excellent source of information on how to identify people with personality disorders (anti-social/psychopathy/sociopaths, histeronics, passive-aggressives, narcissists, obsessive-compulsives, paranoids, etc.) The book teaches you not only how to identify them, but how to protect yourself from them, and, how to deal effectively with them if you have people like these in your life. It's an excellent, easy to read, easy to understand book. I've read it, and loaned it out several times. You can find it in bookstores like "Barnes and Noble" or order it on-line. After you read it, you'll wish you'd done it a long time ago!

Good luck!

Answer 7

A psychopath is somebody who suffers from psychosis; they are usually very obvious and very separate from sociopaths who can fit into society somewhat. The Psychopath has no real understanding of reality and will profess and act according to very bizarre beliefs that sound preposterous.

Answer 8

I too dated a man who I think is a psychopath. This site helped me tremendously! You really should check it out. There's a message board where you will learn so much. I did. http://groups.msn.com/PSYCHOPATH

Answer 9

They are those with no conscience and it does not bother them to hurt others. They see everything as a game for their own personal enrichment or gain. Read the book The Sociopath Next Door. Supposedly one in 25 in the population. Can be very charming to get what they want and make you believe what they want you to believe. Seemingly have an explanation or argument for anything.

Answer 10

Have any of your personal belongings disappeared?