They have low self-esteem
This is one of the sociopath's weakness. This is often masked with a high sense of self-importance but it can be used against them. If you can make them feel insecure or inferior, they will likely back down.
High-functioning sociopath traits include: Superior intelligence – high-functioning sociopaths are often very smart and have very high IQs. Impeccable social skills – they are charming, and although they don't enjoy being around people, they may come across as friendly and outgoing.
Some believe that it is fun to torture others, or that it makes the sociopath in some way "superior." Sociopaths are often highly-functioning people, yet many lie so pathologically that they do not even know when their deception took over.
While sociopath path traits can include persuasiveness or charm, most people with the disorder will struggle with irresponsibility. They're less likely to take advantage of employment opportunities, less likely to pay bills on time, and are at high risk of incarceration due to impulsive behaviors.
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.
When can sociopaths be happier? 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.
"Narcissists, psychopaths, and sociopaths do not have a sense of empathy," she told Business Insider. "They do not and will not develop a sense of empathy, so they can never really love anyone." This doesn't change when they have children.
These deficits are likely to be related to dysfunctions in a wide brain network involved in empathy, including the vmPFC/OFC and amygdala. And because a lack of sharing of vicarious negative arousal in these individuals, this may result in not showing empathic concern for others.
In the past, antisocial personality disorder was thought to be a lifelong disorder, but that's not always the case and it can sometimes be managed and treated. Evidence suggests behaviour can improve over time with therapy, even if core characteristics such as lack of empathy remain.
But in fact, this construct of sociopathy is a spectrum, and there are many high functioning individuals, often men, but not always, who are sociopaths.
Early life experiences or trauma, such as extreme poverty, abuse, rejection, and other adverse conditions can, if the biological nature allows, be part of the causes of sociopathy (Sociopathic Parents and Their Effects on Children).
What Is Antisocial Personality Disorder? If you have ASPD, you may act in ways that go against socially acceptable standards. You may break laws and feel little or no guilt when you do something wrong. This condition usually develops in childhood, but you can't get a diagnosis until you're 18 or older.
Sociopaths Can Appear To Be in Love
That's not to say sociopaths, or people with ASPD, can't seem to be in love. “A sociopath can be really good at faking feelings of love,” Darrel Turner, Ph. D., a forensic psychologist from Louisiana, told Health.
Contrary to popular belief, most sociopaths are not violent. They go to work, pay their taxes, and raise a family. Genetic and possible neurological difference have been identified, making this group neurodivergent.
The empath is usually the first to detect that something is not right and express what s/he senses. As a consequence, the empath is both the sociopath's number one foe and a source of attraction; the empath's responses and actions provide excellent entertainment for sociopaths, who use and abuse people for sport.
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 lack a conscience
They even understand that actions have consequences. The problem is, they do not care. They do not feel remorse or guilt. They have no inner compass to guide them, and so they do exactly what they want at any given moment.
On the other hand, sociopaths are rarely any of those things. They are often not monogamous. They will marry, but never for love. They cannot, in a genuine way, fall in love with anyone.
However, people who are sociopaths use excessive charm to manipulate others into believing they are good guys," Beverly Hills sex and relationship psychotherapist Dr. Fran Walfish tells Bustle. "They use their slippery ... charm to weave a false sense of safety and trap their victims into trusting them."
“The main difference between sociopathy and narcissism is the degree to which someone disregards others. People with sociopathy have no regard for the rights of others or the law, whereas someone with narcissism doesn't have empathy for others, but isn't always dangerous.