Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 3: Recognizing a person with sociopathic traits
• Part 2 of 3: Understanding a person with sociopathy
• Part 3 of 3: Helping someone with sociopathic tendencies
• Warnings

The way sociopaths think and behave is very different from how this works in most of us because of a difference in brain structure, and therefore their behavior can be very different. Sociopaths are known for their violent and abnormal behavior. People considered sociopaths are classified as individuals with antisocial personality disorder (APD). While some people with this condition can be dangerous, be aware that many are not violent or "bad", but simply don't feel the guilt or compassion that most of us have. While you may really want to help someone with APD, you should know that the best way to deal with it is to set clear boundaries and recommend treatment.

To step

Part 1 of 3: Recognizing a person with sociopathic traits

1. Understand the characteristics of sociopaths. These individuals are defined as a person with a personality disorder characterized by persistent antisocial behavior, diminished empathy and remorse, and overconfident, uninhibited, selfish traits.
   • Sociopaths are rational and aware of what they are doing and why.
   • The reasons for sociopathic behavior are due to brain structure, although there is an interaction between genetics and environment. It can also be caused by brain damage.
   • Sociopaths often (although not always) have a history of antisocial behavior, including criminal activity, violence, drug abuse, and interpersonal disagreements, such as family matters, divorce, no real friends, etc.
   • Sociopaths are generally not considered "treatable" in the way mental health professionals manage or treat other mental health problems. For example, there are no drugs that can be used to help sociopaths and therapies have a poor prognosis.
   • A sociopath usually does not want to be cured, even if it actually involved treatment (with a few exceptions). They can abuse a person who wants to "heal" them with kindness, financial support, emotional bonding, and the like.
   EXPERT TIP

   Be aware of manipulation. Sociopaths don't feel bad about "using" people; They don't care if actions are hurtful, and they are often very smart intellectually and psychologically. That's why sociopaths are often masters of manipulation. For many people with sociopathic tendencies, the line between what is and is not true is often very blurred. They can often be very charming and charismatic. They often feel good about how to get what they want from a person without caring about who is hurting.

   • They can manipulate you by exaggerating their good qualities or trying to sell you something that may not be what they say it is. They may also try to emphasize the apparent safety of an obviously unsafe situation.
   • Feel free to say, "I feel like this is manipulation and I am not comfortable with this situation.
   • Sociopaths can be very socially and psychologically adept, and can use this to manipulate you without being fully aware of it. If your gut feeling tells you not to agree with something, trust that feeling no matter what they say or do.
   • Countering manipulative behavior is very important in helping sociopaths. Since sociopaths are fully aware of their behavior, they are guilty of such actions. Understanding the boundaries of what is appropriate and what is not, and letting them know the consequences of bad behavior is essential.
2. Don't be fooled. People with antisocial personality disorder can use cheating to gain trust or earn something. They can be compulsive liars, use various aliases, or use deception to take advantage of others or just do it for fun.
   • If someone talks you down or wants you to commit to buying something immediately without having time to think about it, walk away.
   • Be wary of doing business with anyone who shows sociopathic traits. They can trick you into thinking things are great when they aren't. Often times, if it looks too good to be true, it probably is.
3. Beware of aggressive behavior. People with antisocial personality disorder often have a pattern of aggressive behavior, including hostility, irritability, impulsivity, and / or violence. This behavior can be followed by a lack of remorse or empathy for people who could be hurt.
   • They may become physically aggressive and want to fight, or become verbally aggressive and yelling loudly.
   • Be careful when dealing with someone you think has antisocial personality disorder. Monitor your emotions (and maybe even your physical body) if you fear harm.
4. Notice a lack of remorse. Most people feel guilty or sad after hurting someone else's feelings. Many people with a sociopathic personality lack remorse and may enjoy causing pain or manipulation. They may try to rationalize their behavior or disregard the reactions of others.
   • If you have been hurt by someone who doesn't seem to care about your pain, it could indicate sociopathic tendencies.
   • If you demand an apology or want a sociopath to take responsibility for their actions, you may have to accept that they cannot do so at this time. It is more important for you to accept this and move forward as best you can.
5. Notice intense self-centeredness and a sense of superiority. Many people who exhibit sociopathic tendencies tend to view themselves as superior to others in terms of humor, charm, and intelligence. They can treat others as inferior and easily find fault in others without ever blaming themselves.
   • They can talk endlessly about themselves and embellish stories or events in a way that makes themselves superior to that of others.
   • They can view other people outright as inferior to themselves and live their lives from this mindset.
6. Recognize drug abuse patterns. Many people with sociopathic traits tend to abuse alcohol or other drugs. They may end up in prison for substance use and related behaviors while intoxicated.
   • Substance abuse can be uncontrollable use of a narcotic to a point where it becomes physically dangerous, or regular use over a period of time. They can engage in risky behavior as a result of this abuse.
   • Often people with sociopathic tendencies grew up in a family or with a caregiver who was also addicted to drugs or alcohol.
7. Watch for repeated violations of the law. People with a sociopathic personality tend to be reckless and take a lot of risks. A person can have such confrontations with the law, go to jail and have a blatant disregard for rules and laws.
   • They can apologize for why they behaved this way, and blame others and never take responsibility.
   • Breaking the law can also be related to drug use or abuse.
8. Check for irresponsibility. People with antisocial personality disorder often engage in highly irresponsible behavior along with breaking the rules. This person can take unnecessary risks with money, cars, business and people. They may not pay money for custody or child support, or neglect their children.
   • They may have poor work discipline or may not show up for work.
   • They may develop bad interpersonal relationships, have very troubled romantic relationships, and fail to learn from their mistakes.

Part 2 of 3: Understanding a person with sociopathy

1. Understand the influence of heredity. Although difficult to accept, as much as 50% of sociopathology can be attributed to heredity, meaning it can be passed down genetically. People with sociopathic traits are born with a tendency to their course of action.
   • Just as a child has not chosen to be born into a poor family, a sociopath has not chosen to be born with an inability to relate to others as "ordinary" people can.
2. Realize what environmental factors there are. While many people with sociopathic characteristics have a history of child abuse, not all individuals with these tendencies. In general, individuals with sociopathic features are diagnosed with behavioral disorders in childhood or adolescence, and often exhibit behavioral problems such as aggression, deceit, and destructive tendencies.
   • Children diagnosed with conduct disorder often come from dysfunctional families, have experienced traumatic experiences such as drug abuse in the home family and inconsistent discipline in childhood.
3. Recognize differences in experience. While it is easy to be angry with someone in your life who appears to have sociopathic tendencies, remember that this person does not experience the love and trust that most people experience. Imagine a life of not experiencing butterflies in your stomach when you are with someone you are in love with, or not knowing how to fully trust loved ones and friends. These people also probably don't feel the connection of friendship that most people consider "normal".
   • Unfortunately, these people don't even know what they are missing in these experiences, as they may never have experienced, given or received healthy trust or love.
4. Understand what motivates the individual. Because these individuals are often unable to empathize with others, their self-interest generally comes first. They can be very eager to meet their own needs without attachment to other people. It is likely that they do not have the skills to approach the world in a different way, so life is about taking care of themselves and only themselves.
   • Because there is no apparent benefit in helping or treating others with respect, no action is taken to help or improve the lives of others.

Part 3 of 3: Helping someone with sociopathic tendencies

1. Have empathy. While these people are often the source of much frustration, pain and suffering, remember that they are human too. Despite the fact that it is often very difficult to love these people, they often have a special need for empathy, care and respect.
   • Don't apologize for negative behavior, but be willing to share love and compassion with a fellow human being.
   • Many people who eventually develop sociopathic tendencies have been subjected to verbal, physical and / or sexual abuse in childhood. Many come from chaotic or unstable families, or have had to come to terms with the loss of a parent. While this is no excuse for their behavior, it can help you feel compassion for a person who has had a difficult or traumatic childhood and had to find other, less adapted, ways to survive.
     • However, remember that sociopaths are fully aware of their behavior and its effect on others. An abuse history is no excuse for bad behavior.
     • Also, be careful what a sociopath says about their past if it can't be confirmed. Sociopaths will often lie or cloud the truth about themselves and claim they have been abused or traumatized - this can be used to generate sympathy.
   • Note that you have to maintain firm, appropriate boundaries. For most people, the way to repair damage to a relationship is to learn to trust each other again. However, this can be very unwise for sociopaths.Forgive and move on, but be careful not to put yourself in a situation where you can be very vulnerable. While sociopaths don't necessarily cause harm, chances are they will repeat the hurtful behavior because they don't feel remorse, guilt, or anything like that.
   • Showing empathy and forgiveness is good ... but know that acting in such a way in no way means that they will feel remorse, guilt, or repent.
2. Do not facilitate anything. This is especially difficult if a person with sociopathic tendencies is part of your household or family. You want to love and accept the person, but without allowing him or her to hurt or manipulate other people. Let the person know that you are not willing to enable their lifestyle or contribute to hurting other people.
   • Say, "I want to support you, but I can't help you hurt other people."
   • If the person spends money recklessly and therefore cannot afford rent and asks to live with you, be careful to go along with it. Housing this person can allow them to spend money on drugs or other harmful things, and can cause extra stress in your life and life situation.
   • Avoid giving money to such a person. If they ask for money, offer to buy groceries or contribute to the rent if you'd like to help.
   • It can be difficult to watch someone destroy their life and hurt other people, but remember that this is their decision and you are not responsible for that other person.
3. Set clear boundaries in your relationship. A person may try to push boundaries or manipulate you or the relationship. Let the person know what he or she can come to you for and what not. This will help the person understand the predictability of the relationship and that you cannot be manipulated.
   • Don't allow the person to break your boundaries. If the person calls late at night, do not answer the phone. If they threaten to kill themselves, call the police. In no way take responsibility for things in this person's life that you disagree with.
   • Don't let the person take control. Say "no" to any activities you don't want to participate in or contribute to, and stand firm.
   • Discourage all harmful situations, such as drug use, criminal behavior or other irresponsible behavior.
   • Say something like, "This may be normal for you, but for me this is pushing my boundaries. I'd rather not participate in this.
4. Protect your own rights. People with sociopathic personality patterns may not respect you and your personal rights, or may violate your rights. Stand up for your rights and don't tolerate someone treating you less than you want to be treated. Remind yourself that the disrespect you receive from someone else does not indicate a lack on your part, but the other person's problems or insecurities.
   • A lack of empathy for other people can contribute to the rights of others being eroded. Someone with sociopathic tendencies will often display high self-esteem, which may lead them to believe that they can treat others as lower than themselves.
5. Understand your role in their life. The cause of this condition is unknown, but biological or genetic factors may play a role. Remember that it may not be a person's fault that he or she is a sociopath, but that this person is still responsible for his or her actions, and you don't have to solve his or her problems or damage your own life by staying close.
   • Do not make it your responsibility to "save" or "change" the other. Recognize that change can only happen at the initiative of the other, not yours.
   • Offer your support and encouragement for all positive activities. This could include encouraging others, taking responsibility, or seeking treatment for drug addiction. Encourage things to do with responsibility.
6. Encourage addiction treatment. Many people with antisocial personality disorder struggle with addiction, especially narcotics. Substance use and addiction can contribute to bad choices and risky behavior. While you may not be able to do much to change this person's behavior, trying to overcome an addiction can have positive effects and reduce the overall risk.
   • There are many treatment options for addiction, based on need. Addiction can be treated through outpatient therapy, inpatient treatment, and residential care. Talk to a mental health care provider to discuss which option is best.
7. Suggest a therapy. Therapy can help reward positive behavior and discourage negative behavior. Talk therapy where the person is able to discuss childhood difficulties or insecurities can also be helpful. Often people with personality disorders will refuse therapy or only go when they are required to do so by the court. In the case of people with sociopathic tendencies, therapy may be most helpful for associated psychological conditions such as anxiety, depression, and other mood disorders.
   • Empathy can be learned. Through therapy, one can begin to understand and experience empathy with animals, humans and other living things.

Warnings

• Sociopaths are less sensitive to emotions and can use emotions against other people. It is most effective to deal with this person in terms they can understand; if you have to deal with this person, leave out your own emotions as much as possible.