Sociopath Meaning: Exploring Mental Health Conditions
In general, psychological terminology has evolved over the decades as research further investigates various mental illnesses and mental health challenges. A term commonly discussed in modern psychology is the word “sociopath,” which has come to be associated with several connotations and stereotypes. Understanding sociopathy and updated psychological terms, like antisocial personality disorder (ASPD), can be a step toward reducing stigma and finding support.
Sociopath meaning: What does “sociopath” mean in psychology?
In psychology, the term “sociopath” was introduced in the first edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-I) with the “sociopathic personality disturbance” diagnostic label.
However, the word was used in other contexts before the DSM was published. The word “psychopath” was often used to describe what were later identified as sociopathic traits, as both terms were initially considered the same. Modern-day psychology distinguishes between the two.
Sociopath meaning: Diagnostic criterion of antisocial personality disorder
In 1968, the second edition of the DSM was published, removing sociopathic personality disturbance and adding the new diagnostic label of antisocial personality disorder (ASPD), which had sociopathy listed as a diagnostic criterion. In this sense, sociopathy was considered to be a cluster of the following symptoms:
- A disregard for the feelings of others
- Antisocial behavior
- Criminal behavior
- A disregard for societal rules and norms
Because of ASPD’s connection to the term “sociopath,” people began to use this term to refer to anyone with the condition, as well as those who might have portrayed psychopathic traits. Sociopath seems to have become a popular term for referring to murderers and prolific criminals, associating the term with criminal misconduct.
Is “sociopath” a diagnostic term?
Sociopathy is not listed as a symptom of any other mental illness. For this reason, a psychologist, mental health professional, or diagnostic provider normally does not diagnose individuals with sociopathy. Instead, they may assess whether an individual is living with a condition like ASPD.
The stigma surrounding the term “sociopath”
Sociopathy, as a term, may be considered stigmatizing because it gives individuals a non-clinical label that has been associated with significant criminal activity and potentially unfair portrayals of individuals in media. To avoid stigma, it may be helpful to refer to an individual with ASPD as “a person with antisocial personality disorder” instead of calling them a sociopath or psychopath.
Referring to personality disorders by their names can reduce assumptions about how someone might behave or the type of person they may be. Many people with personality disorders live productive lives and do not act on criminal or unsafe urges. Treatment may help people with these conditions manage their symptoms safely.
Understanding antisocial personality disorder (ASPD)
Antisocial personality disorder is a cluster B personality disorder in the DSM-V. This condition generally involves a group of symptoms that may significantly affect one’s personality and contribute to functional difficulties, especially in relationships. The symptoms of ASPD include the following:
- A lack of social conformity concerning lawful behaviors
- Repeated lying or manipulation for personal gain
- Impulsivity and risky behaviors, such as unprotected sex or substance misuse
- Disregard for the safety of oneself and others
- A lack of professional or financial responsibility
- Lack of remorse for one’s actions, especially negative aspects of behavior or when hurting others
- A lack of empathy
- Difficulty recognizing emotions
To be diagnosed with ASPD, the individual must be an adult, and there must be evidence that one was diagnosed with or likely fit the criteria for conduct disorder before age 15. In addition, the behavior must not be due to schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or another mental health condition.
How to find mental health support for ASPD
If you are living with ASPD, psychological interventions are available. This mental health condition is often considered manageable with professional guidance. However, it may be difficult for one to make changes if they are not aware they are living with a mental illness. If you relate to the symptoms above, it may be helpful to seek a screening from a therapist or psychologist for professional insight.
Medication for antisocial personality disorder
Medication cannot directly treat personality disorders, but it may be used as a short-term support option to reduce the severity of co-occurring disorders and symptoms, such as depression, anxiety, insomnia, anger, and mood swings. Medication is often considered a secondary approach to treatment and may be most effective when used in tandem with psychotherapy. Only a doctor or psychiatrist can prescribe these types of medication.
Self-care
Self-care is not necessarily a treatment, but it can help people with personality disorders regulate their emotions and effectively navigate daily life. Forms of self-care that may be helpful include the following:
- Nutritious eating habits: Eating foods that nourish your body and help you feel healthy may be helpful in reducing challenging mental health symptoms. Talk to a registered dietician to find an eating plan that is healthy for your unique body.
- Exercise: Exercise can increase endorphins that improve mood and brain development. Some studies have found that physical activity may grow the hippocampus, which can help individuals make healthier and more rational decisions.
- Hobbies: Hobbies can offer a fun way to distract oneself from difficult emotions or thoughts. Find activities you enjoy or take a class to learn a new skill.
- Mindfulness: Mindfulness practices may help individuals observe unwanted thoughts and urges without acting on them. Hundreds of mindfulness exercises have been developed, and using a guided meditation app might be a helpful approach.
- Social support: Social support systems tend to be essential for mental wellness. Talking to others, spending time in the presence of those you love, and experiencing a sense of reciprocation can reduce mental distress and loneliness, which may worsen symptoms of ASPD. An online or in-person support group for people with ASPD or personality disorders might be helpful.
- Hygiene and physical care: Physical self-care may increase physical energy stores, which may help individuals motivate themselves to attend work, complete responsibilities, and fulfill tasks.
- Time management: Time management skills may help individuals with ASPD block out times for specific responsibilities and keep jobs that may be difficult for them to attend. Time management may also leave room for hobbies and social support.
- Sleep hygiene: Studies have found that sleep hygiene can be essential for physical and mental health. Sleep hygiene can involve getting seven to nine hours of sleep per night, turning off devices at least an hour before bed, and keeping one’s sleeping space clean and comfortable.
Therapy
Therapy is often viewed as the primary treatment for conditions like ASPD, as it normally focuses on behavioral intervention. Because personality disorders are primarily behavior-based, psychotherapy may help people with ASPD change and differentiate between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. They may learn how to acknowledge emotions and urges without acting on them.
Online therapy for mental health support
Some people may find it challenging to seek in-person therapy. In these cases, online therapy through a platform like BetterHelp could be more accessible. Clients can complete a quick questionnaire to be matched with a suitable therapist, often within 48 hours. In addition, they can choose between phone, video, and live chat sessions to personalize the therapy experience.
Although there has been limited research on online therapy for personality disorders, studies have found that common co-occurring mental illnesses like anxiety and depression can be treated using these interventions. One study found that internet-based therapy could be more effective than in-person treatment in reducing anxiety and depression symptoms and improving quality of life. In addition, the intervention was found to be more cost-effective for clients.
Takeaway
ASPD may be manageable with treatment. A combination of medication, psychotherapy, and self-care is often recommended. Consider contacting a therapist online or in your area to get started.
Can sociopaths fall in love?
People with antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) may have feelings for other people, but it can be important to realize that they may understand and express these feelings in different ways than someone without this personality disorder.
For example, some ASPD symptoms include a lack of empathy and a pattern of lying or manipulating others for their own gain. Someone with ASPD may use love as a tool to further their own self-interest or see it as a way to have power over someone else. They are likely to have difficulty appreciating love and the benefits of being in a supportive relationship.
People with ASPD may also have difficulty recognizing emotion and engage in antisocial behaviors that can make maintaining relationships with friends, family members, and romantic interests difficult. While there is no cure for ASPD, lifelong treatment can help manage the condition and help people with this condition change their behavior to reduce harm to the people around them and improve their relationships.
How to support someone with antisocial personality disorder or psychopathy?
If you have a family member, friend, or other loved one with ASPD, here are some things you can do to support them while also protecting yourself:
Don’t take it personally. Remember that their actions and behavior are a result of their condition, not a personal attack against you.
Encourage them to seek treatment. People with ASPD often seek treatment at the insistence of a friend or loved one; it can be unlikely for them to get professional help on their own. Point out how their disorder negatively affects their lives or the lives of the people around them. Some people with ASPD may not respond well to people talking about their sociopath traits; in this case, you can try to encourage them to seek help for other mental health conditions, like substance use or anxiety disorders.
Set and enforce boundaries. Boundaries can help you protect yourself from your loved one’s behavior and may help them understand how their behavior impacts you and others around them. Only set boundaries and consequences that you intend to follow through on. For example, you might say, “If you raise your voice at me, I am going to walk away from this conversation,” or, “If you lie to me again, I will end this relationship.”
Seek support for your own mental health by joining a support group, reaching out to friends and family members, or working with a mental health professional.
What is Machiavellianism vs sociopathy?
Machiavellianism is a personality trait marked by manipulation, aggressiveness, and emotional coldness used for personal gain or in the pursuit of power. It can overlap with sociopathy in many ways, but there are also some key differences between them. For example, both are associated with self-centered behavior, dishonest actions, and a lack of emotional empathy or understanding another person's feelings. However, people who exhibit Machiavellian traits are often capable of cognitive empathy or understanding a person’s mental state and often use it in their manipulation techniques.
Both Machiavellian and sociopathic personality traits focus on their own self-interests, but Machiavellianism can be more focused on gaining power and control and using more strategic actions, whereas sociopathy is more impulsive and less calculated. Other key distinctions can be that sociopathy tends to lead to overtly antisocial behaviors, like animal cruelty or violence, while behaviors related to Machiavellianism may appear to be more in line with societal norms.
What does someone with antisocial personality disorder or psychopathy struggle with?
Someone with ASPD may struggle with multiple things, including maintaining employment and establishing stable relationships. They may lack empathy and engage in constant lying.
Like other personality disorders, ASPD exists on a spectrum, so people who have this condition may have difficulty with different things. Some people may struggle with paying bills or maintaining steady employment. In the most severe form of the condition, people may struggle with repeatedly breaking the law or committing serious crimes. Someone with these tendencies may be referred to as a criminal psychopath, but mental health professionals do not generally use this term, and it is not an official diagnosis in the most recent edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual.
Can sociopaths be loyal?
Someone with ASPD may have difficulty remaining loyal in their personal life. According to the American Psychiatric Association, people with ASPD usually do not feel remorse after hurting others and may rationalize or justify their behavior. They may act impulsively and repeatedly lie or deceive. These sociopathy-related behavioral patterns may mean that someone with this condition will have a difficult time remaining loyal.
What is the dark triad of sociopathy?
The dark triad is a cluster of three personality traits that share some features. They are Machiavellianism, narcissism, and psychopathy.
How do sociopaths act in relationships?
People with ASPD can be manipulative and may be charming and appear to genuinely care about their partners initially, but in time, they may become more controlling. When things do not go their way, they may respond aggressively and resort to physical violence or verbal abuse. If you believe you might be in a relationship with someone with ASPD, it can help to recognize common signs of concerning behavior, including the following:
Sudden and severe mood changes
The presence of other mental health disorders, like depression, substance use disorder, or mood disorders
Impulsive behaviors
Constant or frequent lying
Possessiveness of jealousy
Can a sociopath be a good person?
Something that can be beneficial to remember is that ASPD is a mental health condition, and the people who have it may not realize how their behavior is affecting the people around them. Experts do not know the exact cause, but they believe it may be due to a combination of inherited genes and environmental factors, including adverse experiences when they were children. For example, people with a family history that includes antisocial parents may be at higher risk of developing this personality disorder.
It can be difficult to say whether someone with ASPD can be a good person because there is no clear definition for what a good person is. For example, it may be unlikely that people with ASPD will take responsibility for their actions or apologize for hurting someone, but the symptoms of this condition exist on a spectrum, and not everyone with ASPD will exhibit the same symptoms.
What is a sociopathic stare?
Some people with ASPD may exhibit what is sometimes called a “sociopathic stare,” which is an old, intense, emotionless gaze.
What do sociopaths say?
There are no specific phrases that people with ASPD are known for saying that can help you identify if someone has this condition. People with this personality disorder can be charming and manipulative and may say whatever they feel they have to to gain control or get what they want from a situation. If someone you know exhibits symptoms that are concerning, encourage them to seek professional help. While ASPD has no cure, there are possible treatments that can help them learn more about this condition and how their behavior may be impacting their life and the lives of those around them.
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