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Original poster

To wonder how many Sociopaths you have come across?

221 replies

Impsandelves · 14/02/2012 22:58

Just read The Sociopath Next Door by Martha Stout after hearing it mentioned in another thread.

I feel as though I could list possibly 2 family members, a couple of friends past and present, as sociopaths to some degree.

Am I being unreasonably paranoid?! Or do you feel you have come across a few too?

OP posts:
YouOldSlag · 14/02/2012 23:03

My mother is married to one.

He has alienated her from family, lost them loads of friends and doesn't seem to give a shit.

theincredibequeenofwands · 14/02/2012 23:08

Yes. Two people I worked with, both nurses.

One of which was proper insane, used to say terrible, terrible things to patients.

The other was very aggressive. She's just been struck off, I acted as a witness to one of her 'attacks'. She still maintains she did nothing wrong. She did. I was there.

Worked with one of them for 8 months and the other for 2 years. Saw some proper scary shit.

workshy · 14/02/2012 23:08

my ex is one, a fair few of my bosses and a few of my mum's family

think it is probably fairly common

ssd · 14/02/2012 23:11

what is a sociopath?

Hoolet · 14/02/2012 23:12

Related to one (aunt) and worked for one (famous cook) and friends with another (no longer).

carabos · 14/02/2012 23:13

You know how when you get a new car, suddenly there seem to be loads of the same type of car about? Well it's the same with sociopaths. Once you've spotted one, you see them everywhere. Them and narcs .

Letchladee · 14/02/2012 23:13

SSD

I just looked that up.
This definition seems interesting...

Sociopath

And by that definition, yes I definitely know one, maybe more.

BoysAreLikeDogs · 14/02/2012 23:14

yes I do

a truly scary person, totally amoral, incredibly clever and extremely dangerous

hiddenhome · 14/02/2012 23:15

My mother is a diagnosed psychopath.

I dumped her over 13 years ago.

She fucked my life up. I'm still recovering, but, thankfully I'll never have to see her again.

Highly destructive people. Very dangerous. Very frightening.

LaurieFairyCake · 14/02/2012 23:16

Lots but have worked in a prison, the police and the MOD. Grin

MyCatHasStaff · 14/02/2012 23:16

In the 80's I worked with self employed salesmen. They were scary fuckers in that they didn't care about anyone or anything but themselves, but had a very charming facade. The successful ones were the worst. I saw them 'behind closed doors' as it were, not pretty. Unfortunately, I didn't realise what I was dealing with till after XH...

Original poster
Impsandelves · 14/02/2012 23:19

Ssd - it's another word for psychopath. Not a term I fully understood either until I read the above book. In very basic terms, someone without a conscience.

But within that all different types and extremeties. Ie: from murderer to a manipulative and jealous person who would sabotage or hurt you while masquerading as a friend.

Hopefully other posters will add to my very basic explanation, I recommend the book though. One I couldn't put down!

OP posts:
Oakmaiden · 14/02/2012 23:19

I am fairly sure I don't know anyone who meets that description.

BluddyMoFo · 14/02/2012 23:19

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
Impsandelves · 14/02/2012 23:20

x-post

OP posts:
Helenagrace · 14/02/2012 23:21

A woman in my extended group of friends. She has done some scary stuff to people I know. I'm not on her radar but I'm very cautious about places I might bump into her.

TheOriginalSteamingNit · 14/02/2012 23:23

One

MissVerinder · 14/02/2012 23:26

One of my colleagues had a boyfriend like this. I don't scare easy, but this guy frightened me to death; principally because even though they knoew what he was like, people started agreeing with him when it all went tits up.

MaybeSheWill · 14/02/2012 23:29

A few, I've worked in sales.

The man that got a vasectomy without telling his wife, making out like he wanted to have kids, letting her have fertility tests, and telling everyone he'd dump her and move on to someone else when she was too old and had missed her chance to have a child stands out. Not by much mind, there were a lot of cunts.

Original poster
Impsandelves · 14/02/2012 23:29

That IS the scariest part of their characters. That they are so skilled at manipulation, and that it often takes people a long time to see what they really are.

OP posts:
MissVerinder · 14/02/2012 23:31

Bejeesus, Maybe that's bloody horrible!

hiddenhome · 14/02/2012 23:31

My mother managed to fool her damn psychiatrist Sad

MaybeSheWill · 14/02/2012 23:32

I know :( They used to laugh about it too. Poor cow. If I'd had a way to let her know I would.

I'd never work in sales again. I'm not saying all salesmen are cunts, but it's a profession that suits that type well.

ssd · 14/02/2012 23:33

thanks

I don't think I know anyone like that thankgod

OldGreyWiffleTest · 14/02/2012 23:34

Yes, I knew one. She was, and still is, scarey. She is still manipulating people, and she has done some truly horrible things. She doesn't care who she hurts or what she does (as long as she doesn't get caught). I cut all contact when she 'turned' on my teenage son. AND she was a Scout Leader.