Have you ever come across a Sociopath / Psychopath?

[Bursarymum]

I've been reading 'The Sociopath Next Door'. And it got me thinking. Psychopathic killers are rare but it seems those without any conscience are not so rare.

[NeitherQuietNorCalm]

Yep, my mum is a sociopath, down to killing our family pets and all. She has softened considerably in the past ten years.

[Jux]

I think most MPs are one or the other. And they're the ones deciding our lives.

Be afraid. Be very afraid.

[Alastrante]

I've spent all weekend reading this thread in two-minute snatches. One thing that really stands out is that people use labels quickly and easily - but we don't really know what it's called, do we? I don't for a second doubt that the thread is full of some very bad and very chilling experiences, and that 'something' is going on with those awful people. I've definitely known one man who has behaved so strangely and caused so much damage (sadly entirely backed up by his wife) that he attracts a label, but I've no idea what it is.

I'm a bit sensitive to it because a few years ago, I was given a label by someone. Nothing I could write in a post could do it justice, I don't think - the nuance isn't there. I saw it from the other side: she was having really quite serious mental health problems and this was a form of lashing out. I'd been fighting depression for a year or so and had no doubt been all over the place with that. A sort of perfect storm. We were really incompatible as friends too (really, we were acquaintances with small children and our own issues and should never have spent more time with each other than necessary). In the end my dh talked me through my life and kind of got me back on an even keel. (Depression really detaches you from 'you'.)

Sorry, that's one-eighth of a story there, the thread just really struck a chord as being on the other side of someone's almost casual words was so hard. I'm not doubting that there are some very strange, ruthless, cold and destructive people out there though.