How can you tell if someone is a sociopath?

Answer 1

You can't know and only a trained professional could put a label on someone like this man. Some people can be just immature and if it bothers you that much then realize you can't change that person so you either put up with it until they grow up (hopefully) or you move on. Sociopaths/psychopaths are basically emotionally immature anyway as they have no conscious. They are random...they need a thrill or stimulation and in some cases they might 'act' immature to feel some kind of emotion inside, but they never will. Sociopaths they are so angry that they cannot feel human emotion...like all the humans they see and they are dead inside. They are almost like a machine-human; they know something is wrong with them but they don't know what because they have no CONSCIOUS. It is a really miserable existence, that is why they can kill and also be suicidal.

Answer 2

Someone said, "When you don't say nothing and they tell you to shut up."

So, ask yourself. Is he/she scatterbrained and flighty? Does he have trouble in concentratingon more than one thing at a time, to the point that he can endanger hissafety or that of others? Does he fly into a rage at the slightestthing? Is he controlling and manipulative? Does he "have to" get roughto have sex? Does he lie a lot, or, if not, at least does he twist andslant the truth and leave out crucial details?

Even if it's "yes" to most of these things, it could be something else.

But it is best to find out.

Numerous websites on the internet will tell you that research usingbrain scanning technology has recently revealed that the brain of apsychopath functions and processes information differently.

Are you involved with a psychopath (extreme sociopath)? You may not know because theycan be very charming and friendly and can appear to be altruistic,until you get close and inevitably they do something threatening orimmoral and then you must set limits that disappoint them. Sometimes very startling is the fact that sociopaths can cry. Yes, tears are seen even in some men,though of course still more common in children and women.

And what is it that gives the psychopaths the ability to evoke compassion -- which they then abuse -- in people by weeping copious tears?

It is thenear-constant state of frustration and dissatisfaction felt by a truepsychopath is the source of not only their rages but those eerie,on-and-off-like-a-faucet tears.(Yes, tears are seen even in some men,though of course still more common in children and women.)

Another comment, from the diagnosed "primary psychopath" who wrote much but not all of the text that follows [EXCEPT the input from the other two sociopaths]:

The last time I tried that tears bit, I got "stuck" crying and couldn't stop for most of THREE DAYS!!! Now I avoid it at all costs.

Don't assume that anyone is a psychopath based only on the person'sapparent attitude and behavior. It is far more complex than that,including factors in the pattern of the person's life and many othercharacteristics.

Please don't go around assuming or calling someone apsychopath just because he/she may have some of the warning signs.

For information on what the warning signs are, look up other questionswith answers on sociopaths, psychopaths, and antisocial personalitydisorder herein.

Geta professional opinion from a qualified mental health professional ifyou think you are involved with a psychopath. And then ask what to do,not only for the psychopath but for yourself, because being involvedwith a psychopath is risky.

And what then? Only time will tell.

And some people have said that the only way to persuade a sociopath or psychopath to seek help is by threatening him/her with DEATH!!

One way -- or another...

And the main reason sociopaths don't usually seek helpfrom their fellow human beings is that they can'ttrust, rather than that they like being as they are. Plus, they canoften sense exactly what sort of a response any call for help on theirpart is most likely to elicit from professionals and lay folk alike.

Sociopaths are not breezing along in paradise. It isn't all a game.It's a truly miserable existence. And it can be made better. It may notbe "curable" yet, but it most certainly isn't as hopeless as so manypeople say. There is therefore nothing to be gained and much to be lostwhen therapists and lay folk try to ostracize sociopaths from the humanrace entirely! Sensationalism and superstition will only preventprogress.

This was written on another question on the same essential topic as this one, by a self-confessed sociopath who was officially diagnosed (other than me!) --

• Sociopaths, though born that way, are people too. To avoid anentire group of people is absurd. That's like saying, "Since thesepeople have dark skin, everyone should completely avert themselves fromthem." I am a moderate sociopath, and though part of me doesn't want tochange, another does. Many times it is really entertaining to see howstupid people can be, especially when they're so gullible as to believeevery word that mellifluously flows from my lips. Yes, I am parasitic,but even so, there are some people I would like to stop hurting. Ican't find any websites that can provide a way to help my sociopathy.Maybe people like you should stop your self-victimisation and starttrying to actually help people like me! I knew I was a sociopath beforethe age of ten but have only recently had it officially diagnosed. I ameighteen years old now, and I have been lying and destroying others'sanity for a long time. So, please post some helpful tidbits that mighthelp sociopaths resist the sweet urges we get when we encounter weakhuman beings. When you cut us, do we not bleed? When you kill us, do wenot die? Do you honestly think that you're being lied to andmanipulated when we sincerely ask for help. Listen to yourselves! Thisis the internet; ergo, you're safe from our fortified mental grasp.

The essay that follows was written in another answer by anotherself-admitted sociopath, who actually might not be a sociopath. Stillanother person added the brief comment to that effect after her tragic essay.

• umm... i kindof am one... just so y'all know, it's not so muchfun being one either. i read that sentence up there, "Incapable of realhuman attachment to another." i don't even know what that is, i see it,i approximate it... it's like being outside a door looking through adirty window and watching re-runs of people I've seen in love or withchildren or with friends, and scratching, sometimes banging at theglass to get in and... nothing. I'm fond of people in every sense ofthe word, their little quirks and habits, the way they see life, exceptif they went away it wouldn't bother me much other than finding someoneelse to be fond of. i don't have friends, i only date military menbecause they're ok with only having a girlfriend for a couple monthsand i tell them in advance i won't wait for them... i don't know whatelse to do to limit the damage i inflict on others just as a result ofthem knowing me, short of moving to the mountains... but i still movebetween 2-5 times a year :( it's kindof hard walking around knowingi'll never have what i see making other people so happy and runningwhen i can tell someone is getting close just because i don't want tohurt them more later down the road... i'd like it alot to settle down,i WANT to be able to feel more with people, but it's hard to miss whatyou never had. i want what i THINK it would feel like... it'd be easyto give in and let someone stay because I'm so lonely... but hey, i'vewritten enough, just know i try to be a responsible little sociopath, iwon't ever get married or have kids, i practice safe sex, i won't stayin one city for long... everything you all take for granted i willnever let myself have just because i WANT to take it for granted. beinglike this won't go away so hopefully i can limit the amount of hatethrown my way by limiting my interaction with people, i don't know whatelse to do. and you all might not belive this, but i am sorry,hopefully i can speak for the other people who have damaged your lives.

Comment: The above testimony is clearly notindicative of asociopath because she seems to make efforts to keep from harmingothers, even if it doesn't benefit herself.

One might hope that this poor, unhappy woman doesfind help.

Answer 3

Aren't they all in certain situations? === === If you're completely serious, then it is probably wise to listen to what other teenagers say about that person. I am a teenager and I have seen a perfect example of a sociopath before. Every other teen around me could feel the tension, too. Usually, a sociopath teen would be unpopular, often times bullied, in school. They also exhibit signs of violent intentions such as a fascination with gore, animal killing, and being violent minded in general. Most school shooters are keep-to-themselves loners, and have a pessimistic view on society.