You have probably dealt with a lot of different people in your life with a variety of characteristics and behaviours. It might been through friendships, relationships or family members.
According to Very Well Mind, psychopath is a term used to describe someone callous, unemotional, and morally depraved. It is stated to often refer to someone who is egocentric, antisocial, lacks empathy, and has criminal tendencies. “Many psychopathy characteristics overlap with symptoms of antisocial personality disorder, a broader mental health condition used to describe people who chronically act out and break societal rules. However, only a small number of individuals with antisocial personality disorder are considered to be a psychopath.”
It may happen that you have come across someone with psychopathic behaviour without realising it, the following are the signs and indicators of such, suggested by health publications:
Superficial charm: The Choosing Therapy publication claims that psychopaths, particularly females, can be charming and persuasive, often faking prosocial behaviours like flattery and kindness. However, “They may use these skills to get what they want from people, but eventually, they are unable to keep up with the act. Over time, the charm and charisma will probably wear off, unmasking an underlying coldness or cruelty.”
Controlling: Psychopaths often seek power and control, looking for leadership positions in the corporate world, and state the above source. “There is also a known overlap between psychopathy, narcissism, and Machiavellianism (immoral and exploitative tendencies), which can lead to this hunger for control.”
No empathy: According to Reader’s Digest, psychopaths lack empathy due to their inability to feel emotion for themselves or others. “Psychopaths lack possibly even the most basic understanding of human feelings.” It is further claimed that a 2013 study found that regions of the brain associated with sharing suffering can be activated and deactivated in psychopaths, “While they normally do lack empathy, they can voluntarily turn it on in order to seduce, charm, and manipulate someone else.’
Rage: The above-mentioned publication also mentions that a psychopath exhibits excessive anger, they may display physical or verbal aggression, road rage, or constant arguments. It is further added that identifying their anger tendencies can be challenging, but they can turn mean only when challenged or impeded.
Deceite: Dr Silvina Galperin, a clinical and counselling psychologist warns that psychopaths create false identities to hook people. “They don’t just do it for kicks, they do it to further themselves in some way. They put on a show to develop false relationships in order to accomplish their higher purpose.”
Also see: Here’s how to deal with gaslighting
