Antisocial Personality Disorder (Sociopath vs Psychopath)
- Stephanie Horton
- Apr 2, 2019
- 4 min read
While I was taking psychology courses I learned how easy it is to mix sociopath and psychopath up. They are constantly being mixed up and most times psychopath is just thrown around to categorize everyone that portrays some of the symptoms. I'm here to explain the differences using actual psychological proof and evidence. I'll also explain what antisocial personality disorder is. Please do not try and diagnose anyone you know including yourself using this information.
If you think you or someone close to you fall into a diagnosis, have them talk to a professional. Many people can look at a diagnosis and agree to meeting one or two of the symptoms, that doesn't mean we have that disorder. We have to meet a lot more than one or two and there are other requirements that must be met. I have read the DSM V and I had to study it for my thesis.
Many people are wrongfully diagnosed all the time because it's not easy to pinpoint the correct diagnosis based on what someone tells you. It isn't the same as going to the doctor where they have tests and imaging techniques to pinpoint exactly what the ailment is. Many disorders have similar symptoms and signs that can make it more difficult. Always speak to a professional that may focus on diagnoses of mental illnesses because they might have a better chance of properly diagnosing the disorder than someone that focused on a small portion of the subject.
Now to get on with the discussion, I'll explain what antisocial personality disorder is and what the age of onset is. According to the DSM V symptoms include: "Violation of the physical or emotional rights of others, lack of stability in job and home life irritability and aggression. Lack of remorse, consistent irresponsibility, recklessness, impulsivity, deceitfulness. A childhood diagnosis (or symptoms consistent with) conduct disorder." This is a serious disorder and usually before this is diagnosed the individual must have been diagnosed with oppositional defiant disorder as a young child and conduct disorder before the age of fifteen. These disorders typically evolve into one another. It's important to have treatment while it is in the oppositional defiant disorder stage before it gets to conduct disorder. Antisocial personality disorder is more common among males than females.
"Consequences of this disorder can include imprisonment, drug abuse, and alcoholism.
People with this illness may seem charming on the surface, but they are likely to be irritable and aggressive as well as irresponsible. They may have numerous somatic complaints and perhaps attempt suicide. Due to their manipulative tendencies, it is difficult to tell whether they are lying or telling the truth." (Psychology Today, 2019). If substance abuse is present with antisocial personality disorder, it's more complicated to treat. The substance abuse would need to be treated first before treating the disorder.
What is a psychopath? According to psychologists psychopaths are born (genetics) whereas sociopaths are made (environmental factors). "Psychopathy might be related to physiological brain differences. Research has shown psychopaths have underdeveloped components of the brain commonly thought to be responsible for emotion regulation and impulse control." (Grohol, 2018). Psychopaths tend to have a difficult time forming emotional attachments. Instead the relationships they form are artificial and shallow. They are designed to be manipulated towards the benefit of the psychopath. They do not feel guilt regarding their behaviors or hurting others.
However, psychopaths are seen as charming and trustworthy by others and can hold steady jobs that are normal. Some psychopaths have families that appear loving. They also tend to be well-educated or have learned many things on their own. If a psychopath engages in crime, they will focus on committing crimes that are of little harm to them. "Psychopathy is the most dangerous of all antisocial personality disorders because of the way psychopaths dissociate emotionally from their actions, regardless of how terrible those actions may be. Many prolific and notorious serial killers, including the late Ted Bundy and John Wayne Gacy, and the incarcerated Dennis Rader ("Bind, Torture, Kill" or BTK) are unremorseful psychopaths. Psychopathic killers view their innocent victims as inhuman objects to be tormented and exterminated for their own amusement or even sexual gratification. Contrary to popular mythology, most serial killers are not mentally ill in either a clinical or legal sense nor are they "evil" geniuses. At least 40 percent of all serial killers are unrepentant psychopaths." (Bonn, 2014). Since psychopaths don't want to take any harm or chance anything negative happening to them, they tend to plan everything out. Whereas a sociopath is more impulsive in that area.
Common sociopath traits include nervousness, easily agitated, prone to emotional outbursts which include rage, and are more likely to be uneducated. They have a difficulty keeping a job or living in one place for a long period of time. It's extremely difficult for a sociopath to form attachments with others, however, it's not impossible. Sometimes a sociopath will have an attachment to one particular person or group. "Therefore, the meaningful attachments of any sociopath will be few in number and limited in scope. As a rule, they will struggle with relationships. In the eyes of others, sociopaths will generally appear to be disturbed or erratic. Any crimes they commit, including murder, will tend to be haphazard and spontaneous rather than planned. Because of their seemingly erratic behavior, sociopaths are easier for both professionals and nonprofessionals to identify than are psychopaths." (Bonn, 2018).
The traits that are shared between both sociopaths and psychopaths are: a disregard for laws, rules, social mores, the rights of others, a failure to feel remorse, guilt, and a tendency to display violent or aggressive behaviors.
Resources:
Bonn, A. S. (2014). How to Tell a Sociopath from a Psychopath
Bonn, A. S. (2018). The Differences Between Psychopaths and Sociopaths
Tracy, N. (2019). Psychopath vs. Sociopath: What's the Difference?
Legg, J. T. (2017). What is Sociopathy or antisocial personality disorder?
Grohol, M. J. (2018). Differences Between a Psychopath vs. Sociopath
Psychology Today (2019). Antisocial Personality Disorder
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