Have you ever met a child psychopath?

[TheJuryIsOut]

There's some debate about whether psychopaths are born like that or made as a consequence of their environment/upbringing. If they are born that way (which I believe they are) have you ever met one? What were the signs?

I say this because there is a child in my wider family who I think may be a psychopath, there has been signs from when he was very very young and as he moves through his teenage years things have only got worse. I can't get on board with it being an environment thing as no one else in the family behaves the way he does, it's quite terrifying to think that no matter what you do your child could still go on to do horrific things and not feel a jot of guilt.

What do you think? Are they born or made?

Yes, I heard a report about that fascinating story but I could not remember the details. Thank you.

What was she doing?

Absolutely. Of course children can be psychopaths.

What they can't have is a diagnosis saying that they are psychopaths until they are 18 because of the potential for their brain to change.

That doesn't mean there aren't psychopathic children, just that nobody in a professional capacity is allowed to stick that label on them.

I believe it's nature, but that environment can make a difference to outcomes.

I read this once, it's really interesting.
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/the-neuroscientist-who-discovered-he-was-a-psychopath-180947814/

Yes, one is currently 12 and I have stopped my children having contact with him. He is cruel, manipulative and has physically assaulted my youngest child 3 times.

The other is an ex-pupil who planned and carried out stabbing and dismembering his girlfriend when he was 17, the day after I taught him. Charming and mature. Terrifying.

@PancakeCloud How is being realistic writing children off? 🙄
You sound very naive and clueless.

This!

You know nothing about the situation yet you boldly pronounce it to be bullshit in a typically blinkered way that supports your original view.

And you accuse me of being naive.🤣🤣

Sorry chum, you're the naive one, hanging on to the old paradigm at any cost.
Absolute nonsense, but not going to give you any more airtime. 🤣🤣

I met a child who was very clear it gave him pleasure to hurt other children. He certainly wasn't right. Age 5.

Not sure if this is in response to my deleted post, but possibly not because I didn’t use the word ‘psycho’. Can’t remember if I used the word thick but I don’t think so, and I actually think my post was unfairly deleted since the main point of it was questioning @MyTrivia ’s comprehension skills due to her assumption about my professional behaviour which obviously I’m not going to give details about (nor the child) on a public forum.

Anyway, posters questioning why these children aren’t getting help - they usually are. They’re usually flagged by the system in some capacity (SS, schools etc) and plans are in place. Unfortunately though there isn’t a lot available in terms of psychiatric help for children who are at risk of developing a personality disorder but who haven’t committed a crime yet. We kind of just have to watch it unfold, protect others around them and try to reach them in the limited ways we can. Often family life is very tricky so they’re immersed in a world which has far more influence than professionals do!

It takes a combination of nature and nuture.
20% of CEO's have significant psychopathic traits. They probaby had decent childhoods.
In decades working with kids, I only met one who had serious potential to be a psychopath/sociopath.

ADHD isnt an "excuse".
Some people may use it as one, but it is a different neurotype. Many people thrive with ADHD, but only when supported for how their brain works, not expected to respond in the same way someone with a neurotypical brain would.

“Everyone is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.”

“Everyone is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid

Some traits are desirable for living in civilized society. Prosocial traits, higher impulse control, ability to plan ahead, general high intelligence. We select and promote such traits and try to develop children’s abilities to get along in such a society.

But let’s be real. Some traits are deeply problematic for society, some of which are noted here. If you can’t or are unable to properly participate in society, sometimes it’s because you are the problem. And while it sucks to be that person, others shouldn’t be inconvenienced by it.

If you were a fish and needed to live in a society where tree climbing was essential to
your day to day, you will fail. It’s nature’s way.

Charming and mature
That is chilling and terrifying.

Let’s not be conflating ADHD with psychopathy - they are not remotely comparable.

The reason psychopathy is such a problem is that the person with it doesn’t feel any guilt or remorse for doing bad things so it’s easy for them to do bad things.

They also aren’t able to feel much unless they cause chaos, lie, steal or hurt people. Some of them can improve their behaviour and are high functioning enough through therapy to make conscious decisions to not hurt people.

This isn’t at all comparable with things like ADHD where the brain works differently but isn’t devoid of feelings for others.

Yes I know. I think you missed the full point of what I was highlighting..

That could be attachment disorder too.