Antisocial personality disorder, sometimes called sociopathy, is a mental disorder in which a person consistently shows no regard for right and wrong and ignores the rights and feelings of others.
High-functioning sociopaths carry all the same characteristics as sociopaths, except that they're not as easy to spot in social settings. They can mimic emotions and responses, morphing themselves into what people want to see, often hide their ASPD tendencies, and can function normally in everyday society.
Although sociopathy and psychopathy cannot be diagnosed until someone is 18, one of the hallmarks of both conditions is that they usually begin in childhood or early adolescence. Usually, the symptoms appear before the age of 15, and sometimes they are present early in childhood.
They're loners
Sociopaths have trouble forming and maintaining any kind of relationship with others. “A sociopath is someone with a personality disorder that includes extreme antisocial behavior,” Klow says.
A sociopath typically has a conscience, but it's weak. They may know that taking your money is wrong, and they might feel some guilt or remorse, but that won't stop their behavior. Both lack empathy, the ability to stand in someone else's shoes and understand how they feel.
They're your neighbors, colleagues, maybe even family members and lovers. Thomas admits that sociopaths can be dangerous; they're hungry for power, and they don't feel guilt or remorse. But they're not inherently evil, and some are highly productive members of society.
A sociopath can sometimes be happy when others simply can't, because they don't have feelings of remorse or guilt. These particular emotions usually don't make us feel happy right away. So in theory, the complete lack of these emotions can result in more happiness.
Most people mellow out with age, but in the case of psychopaths and those suffering from similar antisocial personality disorders such as sociopaths, bad behavior tends to get worse, according to new research from New Zealand's University of Otago.
Sociopaths have a limited, albeit weak, ability to feel empathy and remorse. They're also more likely to fly off the handle and react violently when confronted by the consequences of their actions. However, their own behavior makes this extremely difficult, if not impossible, and most are aware of this.
If there's someone with sociopathy in your life, you might also notice other things that are off: maybe they don't fit right in social settings, or they have difficulty holding a job. People with psychopathy, though, are the opposite. They tend to be very successful and well-liked.
Sociopaths might even apologize or put themselves down if it serves some greater purpose in the game they are playing.
Do sociopaths have any feelings? Yes, people living with antisocial personality disorder experience feelings and emotions. “These [emotions] may include anger, anxiety, depression, and even fear,” says Hong.
Sociopaths do not have feelings or emotions, nor do sociopaths cry genuinely. Sociopaths are capable of intense anger, frustration, and rage. They elicit those emotions in others which they cannot feel themselves.
A “sociopath” has little regard for another person's emotions, rights, or experiences. They lack remorse for their actions, and they act in ways that show no regard for others, including lying, cheating, and manipulating. Some people with this condition aren't very sly about their conduct. Others are quite deceptive.
The unfortunate reality is that at this point, there is no evidence to show that a sociopath can change. Currently, there is nothing that has been proven effective as a treatment for a sociopath. Researchers and practitioners aren't giving up, though.
The short answer is yes, sociopaths are generally aware that they are sociopaths. This is one of the differences between sociopaths and narcissists. Sociopaths know they are different from other people, but can force themselves to think and act like a neurotypical person.
Sociopathic parents exist and can cause great harm to their children through both emotional and physical abuse, even to the point of producing sociopathic children. In addition, co-parenting with a sociopath can be very troubling.
“The key here is that these individuals violate social norms and expectations, which often results in negative consequences for the individual or those in proximity to the individual,” she adds. With a psychological makeup like that, it's pretty clear that a sociopath isn't capable of a normal loving relationship.
That's because their care and affection for other people can only go so deep. At the end of the day, they are committed to themselves and their cause. So they can manifest as distant, distracted, or forgetful when speaking of and dealing with the issues and cares in the lives of those around them.
There is no cure for antisocial personality disorder. People generally manage the condition throughout their lives. But medication and therapy can help you cope with certain aspects of the disorder. The right treatment may help you adjust your behavior and reduce harm to those around you.