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I fear I maybe a sociopath

18 replies

Idiot1 · 01/02/2019 02:41

I honestly fear that I am a sociopath. I really don't want to post up in detail my past behaviours which has led me to come to this conclusion but I've been reading about it online and I seem to tick the boxes. Anyone any advice on what I can do?

OP posts:
NoArmaniNoPunani · 01/02/2019 02:43

I think sociopaths don't care that they are sociopaths so the fact that you care means you probably aren't

Justagirlwholovesaboy · 01/02/2019 02:44

Online quizzes tell you lots of things, most untrue. Why do you think you are one?

Idiot1 · 01/02/2019 02:58

NoArmani - I read that about narcissists, he fact that they asks probably means that they arnt.

Justagirl - I've done a couple of the online quizzes one told me I wasn't the other i scored high on that indicated that I was.

Without going into detail I've done some terrible things over the years.. told some very serious lies stole from those close to me (though not done that in a good few years) both done with some thought of the consquence but not really caring or always been forgiven if I say sorry, which to me is just a word most of the time if you understand

OP posts:
Justagirlwholovesaboy · 01/02/2019 03:01

If you don’t want to be understood or forgiven what do you need?

NorthEndGal · 01/02/2019 03:03

It just sounds like you have a shit sense of morals, and lack remorse, which is not the same thing at all

Idiot1 · 01/02/2019 03:19

Define what the difference is northendgal?

OP posts:
Justagirlwholovesaboy · 01/02/2019 03:20

Break things down into simple points, what/who do you want in your life?

FortunesFave · 01/02/2019 03:22

Your post says you "fear" you may be a sociopath.

If you were you'd fear nothing about it. You'd not post about it either.

Doyoumind · 01/02/2019 03:23

I agree with PP. If you are awake and worrying about it, by definition you aren't.

What difference does a label make anyway?

Idiot1 · 01/02/2019 03:36

I used the word fear as I really don't want to be but at the same time a "label" or diagnosis would maybe help me understand myself better idk

OP posts:
Justagirlwholovesaboy · 01/02/2019 03:42

You don’t want to post your past behaviours and tell the truth about what you think, no one here can help as much as they want, you need to speak to a medical professional. We can support you and wish you well, but we cannot diagnosis you, as you cannot yourself

Smotheroffive · 01/02/2019 03:42

You only have to read your interactions with other posters onnyout thread to hear you are not.

More psychopathic, if you don't have a conscious about causing harm maybe, not these are serious dx that you would need extensive testing for.

Beingba normal person who's been through some abnormal situations doesn't mean any more than that.

Are you a serial liar? Have to lie for no reason? Like to hurt people?...but anyway, see your GP for a talk and they will refer if they feel its worth it.

BBInGinDrinking · 01/02/2019 03:42

OP, we can't diagnose you on here, and you can't diagnose yourself with online quizzes. Do you know how long it takes to achieve the qualification and experience necessary to diagnose something like that? You've done 3 quizzes and got very different results - what does that tell you? If you're genuinely concerned, and it's not just that you stumbled across the quizzes, make an appointment to see your GP. Talk it through with them. Even your GP can't diagnose you, but they can help you work out whether you should be referred to someone who can, or whether some talking therapy like counselling might help you. All the best.

ZigZagZombie · 01/02/2019 04:53

I do agree about the word "sorry". People so love to hear it, but it is just a word and personally very rarely do I feel sorry because I very rarely do anything (in that moment) that I feel is "wrong". People might demand a "sorry", but personally I frequently feel this is power-play rather than placating genuinely hurt feelings - and just because you've been an arse doesn't mean the other person in the equation is 100% pure as the driven snow.

Psychopaths can quite easily fly under the radar, sociopaths not. If you were a sociopath then I'd have expected for you to have been pulled up on that long ago.

You said you were a dick in your youth. Show me someone who wasn't!

Loveweekends10 · 01/02/2019 05:22

Read the book - the sociopath next door.
You are not a sociopath- you care that you may be a sociopath- so by definition you’re not.
There are about 5 indicators. One is about being happy to take unnecessary risks.
Another is that they are manipulative, another impulsive etc
Its a good read. The main trait being a lack of conscience.

Smotheroffive · 01/02/2019 23:57

I strongly advise against reading books about mental DX, especially when you are worried. Its a bit like reading the bloody horoscopes!

You can, without trained guidance, talk yourself into anything (fit yourself into the symptoms). Its a futile exercise and completely unsupported can cause a lot of distress. I am more concerned that you are not feeling very good about yourself and its better go to get some professional advice and gain some balanced understanding around your own situation.

kateandme · 02/02/2019 03:48

there could be many reason to do shit things.the fact your thinking and posting I almost concern about it and so no you don't.could there be other mental health problems that have led you to lie cheat and steal maybe.many people end up doing similar.some are the bestest kindest people in the world but due to there mental health probems can do some awful things.and say sorry but know they will have to do them again.

Karmin · 02/02/2019 19:39

Ok go through this list thinking about most of the time. If they apply ask your GP for a referral to psychiatry to be diagnosed, note sociopath/psychopath are now replaced with Antisocial Personality Disorder.

Significant impairments in personality functioning manifest by:

  1. Impairments in self-functioning (a or b):

a.Identity: Ego-centrism; self-esteem derived from
personal gain, power, or pleasure.

b.Self-direction: Goal-setting based on personal
gratification; absence of prosocial internal
standards associated with failure to conform to
lawful or culturally normative ethical behaviour.

AND

  1. Impairments in interpersonal functioning (a or b):

a.Empathy: Lack of concern for feelings, needs, or
suffering of others; lack of remorse after hurting or
mistreating another.

b.Intimacy: Incapacity for mutually intimate
relationships, as exploitation is a primary means of
relating to others, including by deceit and coercion;
use of dominance or intimidation to control others.

B. Pathological personality traits in the following domains:

  1. Antagonism, characterized by:

a.Manipulativeness: Frequent use of subterfuge to
influence or control others; use of seduction,
charm, glibness, or ingratiation to achieve one„s
ends.

b.Deceitfulness: Dishonesty and fraudulence;
misrepresentation of self; embellishment or
fabrication when relating events.

c. Callousness: Lack of concern for feelings or
problems of others; lack of guilt or remorse about
the negative or harmful effects of one„s actions on
others; aggression; sadism.

d. Hostility: Persistent or frequent angry feelings;
anger or irritability in response to minor slights and
insults; mean, nasty, or vengeful behavior.

  1. Disinhibition, characterized by:

a. Irresponsibility: Disregard for – and failure to
honor – financial and other obligations or
commitments; lack of respect for – and lack of
follow through on – agreements and promises.

b. Impulsivity: Acting on the spur of the moment in
response to immediate stimuli; acting on a
momentary basis without a plan or consideration
of outcomes; difficulty establishing and following
plans.

c.Risk taking: Engagement in dangerous, risky, and
potentially self-damaging activities, unnecessarily
and without regard for consequences; boredom
proneness and thoughtless initiation of activities to counter boredom; lack of concern for one's limitations and denial of the reality of personal danger

C. The impairments in personality functioning and the individual‟s
personality trait expression are relatively stable across time and
consistent across situations.

The fact that it was years ago you were stealing etc doesn't point to this.

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