To ask how many genuine sociopaths/psychopaths you've actually met?

[WillGymForPizza]

I strongly suspect that I'm working with someone who is possibly a sociopath. Obviously I'm not a psychiatrist so can't properly diagnose, but Ive met some dodgy and unlikable people in my time and this person takes it to a whole level. I genuinely believe her to be evil. She doesn't appear to have a moral compass and seems to take great pleasure in publicly humiliating her staff. They are all utterly terrified of her.

Most disturbingly of all I work in a Primary School and this person is this person is the headteacher....

How common is this kind of thing? Ive never come across anyone like this before.

My brother and uncle

I have no contact with either now

My Bil, Mil, and an ex are all narcissistic people

I work in east London in a shopping centre and I think we have seen every mental condition going at some point or another, I think I prefer the schizophrenics to the sociopaths and psychopaths because you know they can’t help it.

I strongly suspect my husbands best friends wife. It’s taken me 8 years to realise she might be on the spectrum, I steer clear of her as much as I can now.

You’d think she was lovely and friendly, but far from it! She’s able to belittle everyone in a subtle way, but somehow draws you in - you WANT to be her friend!

Very two faced (but over a few years) - I can’t describe it. Although she was plenty of ‘friends’ I actually realised that she has no ge. She doesn’t seem have any from before 2 years, there’s no ‘old crew’ or work mates etc. She’s VERY good making friends or at least a good impression.

Doesn’t quite lie, but definitely exaggerates. But again if I hadn’t known her so long I wouldn’t think much of it. No empathy whatsoever. She says the right things, but then week/month later can be incredibly callous.

Husband thinks I’m exaggerating, but there is something there which isn’t ‘right’. I feel really sorry for her kids....

I've known two proper sociopaths, one is one of my best friends and the other I played in a band with for years but they both have exactly the same character traits, pathologically narcissistic, constantly cheated on their partners, absolutely no moral compass whatsoever, never took responsibility for their actions, treated the whole world like it was here for their convenience, incapable of empathy. I work for a mental health charity so I've read up loads on this shit, I told the friend that I believed
he was a sociopath, didn't bat an eyelid, the other arsehole got binned after he tried to attack me in the studio.

Two. One a neighbour; one a child (teenager) that I taught. I keep expecting to see the child on TV having murdered someone. (The neighbour has already had his TV moments...)

WillGymForPizza
I fear that it's common in Primary schools. I worked in one for 10 years (survived 4 years under the headteacher who I suspected was a sociopath). I was her right hand woman too.

Fast forward 4 years and I ended up in exactly the same position. Lasted little over a term. I am at a loss and it's horrendous being terrified of these people. I also feel for them as they have issues that need dealing with professionally!

My oldest and closest friend is one. I've watched her behaviour over the years: the way that she treats others; the risky behaviour; the callousness; the coldness; and the 'lovely', helpful and generous front that leaves you indebted to her.

By her own admission, she meets her children's needs but feels no emotional attachment.

When we meet up, she always tries to fish information out of me in an attempt to find any current weaknesses and will try to use them to get a foothold in my life. However, I am wise to her.

If she finds herself in a situation where empathy or a sympathetic response is expected, she will also go on and on about it gauging my reaction, which she will then mimic back to me as a test, then will use it confidently in the situation in which it is required.

She has no personality. She is like a leech.

Why is she your closest friend?

I’ve worked for a lot of them...

I think I have. But I’m not a psychologist so I’m not sure. I’ve met people that are clearly not normal. Narcissistic, lack empathy, incredibly arrogant, compulsive liars...
How do you spot one of these people??

Ihatethecold Sadly, over the years, a couple of my friends passed away and another couple emigrated. I'm quite introverted so find it hard to make new ones these days. I have her and a more distant friend left.

I know how to manage her and try not to see her too often. I do experience her better side. She really is my only 'friend' outside work.

Why is she your closest friend?

For the same reason people find it extremely difficult to walk away from a partner or other loved one who has the same traits.

There’s just something about them.........

I was married to one.

The fuckwit i used to be married to, He honestly believed that hos numerous affairs didnt affect our 3 children, in fact he once asked if his latest and her child could spend Christmas with us in our home. He truly was a sociopath, when my Mum died he couldnt even try to comfort me all he could say was" Oh Yvonnes (the one he was having an affair with at the time) Mum has just died too !

I went out with one on and off for 3 years, he admitted at the end he was a diagnosed narcissistic sociopath, he couldn't cope with me apparently, couldn't control me more likely x

Narcissistic Personality Disorder is extremely rare, as is sociopathy.
Some people just have horrible personalities. These terms are everywhere now.
My ex husband had Evil Twattery Disorder fi.

I honestly don’t know? I’ve never met anyone I thought ‘you’re a psychopath’ same with narcissistic personality disorder, although, I know many people with narcissistic traits, myself included I guess.

Roughly about 1/25 are psychopaths.

Read up on how to spot them.

We gave our dc a book abt how to spot them. Before they began dating. We discussed it at kitchen table. It's a life skill to recognize one.

(Dh had boss who was one. That's how we learned initially.)

None?

Met some nasty buggers, some cold folk, some socially inept people, some cruel people but can't say I've ever met an actual psychopath tbh

Was married to one we were in a relationship for nearly 20 years I had no idea at the time, was separated from family and friends completely brainwashed,have finally escaped him but always on my guard and now suffering with cptsd...I really wish I knew this type of person exsisted, before I fell hook line and sinker

I actually also know two murderers who were released and in their old age. One killed someone for raping his sister the other one murdered someone v violently when drunk. Even they weren't psychopaths as they clearly felt emotion very deeply

It’s in the eyes. They have a cold evil glint, once you work that out, you know.

We gave our dc a book abt how to spot them. Before they began dating. We discussed it at kitchen table. It's a life skill to recognize one

How do you spot one? I get bad vibes from people very rarely. Don’t think I could spot a psychopath though.