How to handle problematic behavior of a sociopath presents the definition of a sociopath, its types, signs, behavior patterns, and how to deal with this disorder.
What is a sociopath?
Sociopath is antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) that can cause you to lack empathy for other people’s feelings. Also, you don’t feel regret for bad things you do, and likely to take advantage of other people for personal selfish gain. Surprisingly, many people are unaware of the disorder and may never be diagnosed.
Sociopathy behaviour
It is important to note that people have many personality behaviors. For instance, someone may exhibit selfishness or act aggressively, but that doesn’t mean they have ASPD. Since many people who have ASPD don’t recognize these traits as a problem, it’s important to watch for consistent behavior patterns as necessary.
Signs and problematic behavior of a sociopath
- No compassion or empathy for others
- Thoughtless and rash behavior
- Tendency to control others through intimidation or violence
- Manipulating others using charm or charisma
- Unrepentant for mistakes
- Deceitful for personal gain
- Mostly insincere in relationships
- At times involved in stealing and other crimes
- Putting on suicide act to control without intending to do it
- Drug or alcohol abuse
- Irresponsible about working or paying bills.
Types of sociopath
It’s not clear what causes ASPD. But you’re more likely to have ASPD if you have a family history of the disorder or you experienced something traumatic while growing up. Also if you’re a male, had behavioral problems as a child, or grew up in an unstable environment. Three types of sociopaths are recognized below:
High-functioning sociopath
This refers to people who have mild ASPD traits or are good at hiding them. As a result, they can be successful in everyday activities like working or going to school. Some may hold highly respected careers, such as a businessperson. They might seem charismatic or charming but are manipulative. They might excel in their profession by using or manipulating others. The same can be true in their personal life.
It’s harder to tell when someone has high-functioning ASPD, but that doesn’t mean it’s not harmful. Their insincerity and lying can still hurt the people around them.
Low-functioning sociopath
This is used to describe people who struggle to hide their ASPD traits. They might not have the social skills to quietly manipulate and deceive. Instead, they might rely on threats or violence to get what they want. They may also engage in illegal behavior, and they often have other harmful conditions like addiction. ASPD can also be part of another serious mental health condition, such as bipolar disorder.
Borderline sociopath
ASPD is often confused with a similar condition called borderline personality disorder (BPD). Both are part of a family of disorders called cluster B personality disorders. These tend to cause emotional, unpredictable, and dramatic behavior. People with BPD have mood swings driven by stress, low self-esteem, and fear of abandonment. It’s common for people with ASPD to also be diagnosed with BPD.
How to handle problematic behaviour of a sociopath
It’s very important to protect yourself when you’re dealing with someone with ASPD, whether it’s a friend or loved one who has the disorder. While your initial reaction is to help them get treatment, this can be very difficult. This is because people with ASPD are unlikely to seek professional help or even realize they have a problem. So take the following steps to help you protect yourself:
Maintain your boundaries
Keep your interactions with them short and to the point. Avoid engaging with them emotionally, and do not give them any personal information or sensitive details.
Seek support and guidance
Turn to trusted friends and family members for emotional support. If possible, consult with a mental health professional for further guidance on how to deal with the person with ASPD.
Educate yourself
Learn the signs and problematic behavior of a sociopath so that you can spot them and understand their tendencies and motivations.
Avoid confrontation
The situation can quickly escalate and become unsafe. Remain neutral and composed when dealing with someone with ASPD. Showing emotion can leave you vulnerable to manipulation.
Do not try to change them
People with ASPD do not see that they have a problem and it can be very difficult to change their view. It may also cause them to become more enraged, violent, and manipulative.
Bottom Line
It can be very isolating when someone you love has ASPD. You may not be able to change your loved one’s behavior, but you can learn ways to understand and cope. And find ways to set boundaries and protect yourself.
But if helping your loved one out of ASPD gets you anxious or depressed, a support group or therapy can help. And very often, talking with someone can make things easier.
On a last note, ASPD is a condition that makes it hard for people to empathize with others or act according to societal norms. This doesn’t make them evil. So if you or someone you know has ASPD, talk with a mental health professional. They can suggest possible treatments or tactics on how to handle problematic behavior of a sociopath.
https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/psychopath-sociopath-differences
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Abiola is the founder of Indulge™ group of companies, a healthy-living focused group. A passionate believer in a healthy lifestyle, living in the United Kingdom made it easy for her to pursue a health and fitness regime. She is the Managing Director/CEO of Indulge Nigeria Limited and Indulge Cares Nigeria Limited, both companies promoting the benefits of a healthy lifestyle for the prevention of illnesses and diseases. Abiola is available on https://www.indulgeinhealthyliving.com/
