Sociopath Community

 I used to feel more as a kid. I lied to myself since half of forever, telling myself I still felt the things I used to, and that it was just everyone else who was not feeling for me. Obviously something I couldn't keep lying to myself to justify anger at others. Eventually, just this year, I let go of it. No point in bothering. Maybe I'll feel the things I felt as a child. Maybe I won't. I don't even know if I remember correctly what I felt, I tend to idealize my own past, making it rosier than it was, and I don't do it intentionally. I just do it.

When I read my medical records, I knew everything they were saying was true, I just didn't think it was that bad back then. Truth is, they only wrote down the tip of the iceberg I guess. And I was going to therapy after things had already changed for me, I stopped caring, and just focused on survival. I said and did some mean ass shit to people. 

I have read that it is possible to move into the sociopathic realm if one is already personality disordered, particularly narcissism. It is generally thought to be a combination of genetics plus environment. I would love to get more feedback if anyone knows more about this. 

 In any case scenario I can assure you I'm narcissistic, I can't stand the fact anybody could be better at anything I have a little interest about. Keep me posted if you find anything, please.

by lisa

I have read that it is possible to move into the sociopathic realm if one is already personality disordered, particularly narcissism. It is generally thought to be a combination of genetics plus environment. I would love to get more feedback if anyone knows more about this. 

 Most scientists and psychiatrists  claim that you are born this way, and environment plays little to no part unless you experienced severe trauma. I dont think they are in the position to say this as they are not sociopaths, or at least most of them are not. They also claim that if one begins to experience sociopath traits he/she is most likely suppressing their emotions, or trying to belong to a group( desperate-seekers). desperate those who attempt to suppress, seekers those who try to belong to a group. what they claim may be true for a lot of people, but not all in my opinion. I know this because i have the discussed the topic with various psychiatrists, psychologists, and scientists. etc. In my opinion those who were "made" into sociopaths are at an advantage because they have a genuine understanding of emotions, and dont just mirror the people around them. you can also use this to your advantage against other sociopaths because they mirror peoples actions . so giving them a false view of emotions or tricking them into believing what you are doing is normal will backfire in the end for them. I know this from experience and this tactic is in my arsenal. however this might not always work if your pray is smarter then you, but for me that has never been the case. And if you are wondering, yes, i was "made" into a sociopath. 

by Shadowcoldzx

 wow, this sounds like my story... 

 

I'm just gonna use your topic as a diary reflecting my opinion, even though it may sound silly.

 

Well for my part I've spent my childhood pretty well (no abuse, classic school childhood), I was quite a sensitive empath (well maybe too much at times). The problem was that most of my emotions were just sad and negative and I've ended up being an emo kid overwhelmed by hatred, rejection and all that. I grew up only with my mother and sister. I've always been witty and smart, but I've been kinda an emo empath lost in his world so nothing was happening but me torturing myself with emotions. (cutting wrists after school to make the pain stop, alcohol poisoning)

I did have a couple of sociopath traits, but mostly some borderline disorder(s), I've been at child psychiatrist at the age of 7, but he only came to the conclusion that I'm smarter than my age and didn't mean to jump into any labels that soon.

At the age of 18 I've broken up with my family, accepted the fact I can't be with neither of 2 girls I've loved so much, lived alone, had no friends, failed high school study -- worked instead to take care of myself. I'd say I've been quite successful to say the least.

Long story short, at my 19th birthday (which by the way is this year) I kind of flipped the switch, the genuine feelings are gone, I resemble the most of sociopath traits. You wouldn't have recognized me from year ago.
To me this kind of a mental change sounds like a way of mind protecting itself (I've always felt shit no matter what, something like chronic depressions all day long), I don't have to cope with it anymore, I'm who I want to be and what I make of myself. The anti-social disorders from childhood have dimmed aswell, it's less of an issue now.

When I realized that I've changed into someone else, I've had a bit of struggles to understand what's going on until I've googled it up. This year I changed high school and instead of being an ugly bullied emo retard I'm popular-ish, hot-looking, I'm not afraid to hit on pretty moms and establish positive relationships.

I'm glad to have finally passed the years and start anew (even if it means I have no real core personality of my own, or the one I'm not going back to).

by DarknessorDie

 They also claim that if one begins to experience sociopath traits he/she is most likely suppressing their emotions, or trying to belong to a group( desperate-seekers). desperate those who attempt to suppress, seekers those who try to belong to a group. what they claim may be true for a lot of people, but not all in my opinion.

There is research that indicates child abuse can cause stunted brain development, which can lead to all kinds of problems, including sociopathy.

I found some interesting information here: http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/thinking-about-kids/201205/psychopaths-children-and-evil

As the author of The Amygdala Made Me Do it wrote, there is a wealth of research out there that tells us that:

• Our biological predispositions shape how we react to our environment and how it reacts to us
• Our interactions with the environment shape the structural and organizational characteristics of our brains

When I say good parenting makes kids smarter, more trusting, and kinder to others, I am not surprised that neuroscientists find that those changes can be documented with an fMRI showing structural and organizational changes in the brain. In fact, in the late 50s we found changes in much cruder measures of brain weight in studies using mice. Nor am I surprised when I can see differences in parenting and child behavior reflected in changes in cortisol and alpha amylase levels during social interactions between parents and their children.

I also found an interesting article here on the development of sociopaths and psychopaths: http://www.trutv.com/library/crime/serial_killers/notorious/tick/psych_6.html

The following are environmental factors, psychiatrists say, which create a sociopath:

• Studies show that 60% of psychopathic individuals had lost a parent;
• Child is deprived of love or nurturing; parents are detached or absent;
• Inconsistent discipline: if father is stern and mother is soft, child learns to hate authority and manipulate mother;
• Hypocritical parents who privately belittle the child while publicly presenting the image of a "happy family".

There is also an interesting article I found here (it's a PDF file): http://www.psychologytoday.com/files/attachments/112693/psychopathy-versus-sociopathy.pdf on why the distinction between psychopathy and sociopathy is crucial.

In my opinion those who were "made" into sociopaths are at an advantage because they have a genuine understanding of emotions, and dont just mirror the people around them.

I believe I was made into a sociopath, yet even though I can effectively recognize emotions due to cognitive empathy, I wouldn't say that I have a good understanding of all of them because there are some emotions I've never felt and the ones I do feel have always been shallow and fleeting. I often have to fake or mimic other people's emotions when socializing just to blend in. Maybe that's because I'm also Schizoid, and not just AsPD/Sociopathic.

by Thrill Kill

 

by DarknessorDie

 They also claim that if one begins to experience sociopath traits he/she is most likely suppressing their emotions, or trying to belong to a group( desperate-seekers). desperate those who attempt to suppress, seekers those who try to belong to a group. what they claim may be true for a lot of people, but not all in my opinion.

There is research that indicates child abuse can cause stunted brain development, which can lead to all kinds of problems, including sociopathy.

I found an interesting article here: http://www.trutv.com/library/crime/serial_killers/notorious/tick/psych_6.html

The following are environmental factors, psychiatrists say, which create a sociopath:

• Studies show that 60% of psychopathic individuals had lost a parent;
• Child is deprived of love or nurturing; parents are detached or absent;
• Inconsistent discipline: if father is stern and mother is soft, child learns to hate authority and manipulate mother;
• Hypocritical parents who privately belittle the child while publicly presenting the image of a "happy family".

 

I also found some interesting information here: http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/thinking-about-kids/201205/psychopaths-children-and-evil

As the author of The Amygdala Made Me Do it wrote, there is a wealth of research out there that tells us that:

• Our biological predispositions shape how we react to our environment and how it reacts to us
• Our interactions with the environment shape the structural and organizational characteristics of our brains

When I say good parenting makes kids smarter, more trusting, and kinder to others, I am not surprised that neuroscientists find that those changes can be documented with an fMRI showing structural and organizational changes in the brain. In fact, in the late 50s we found changes in much cruder measures of brain weight in studies using mice. Nor am I surprised when I can see differences in parenting and child behavior reflected in changes in cortisol and alpha amylase levels during social interactions between parents and their children.

 

There is also an interesting article I found here (it's a PDF file): http://www.psychologytoday.com/files/attachments/112693/psychopathy-versus-sociopathy.pdf on why the distinction between psychopathy and sociopathy is crucial.

 

In my opinion those who were "made" into sociopaths are at an advantage because they have a genuine understanding of emotions, and dont just mirror the people around them.

I believe I was made into a sociopath, yet even though I can effectively recognize emotions due to cognitive empathy, I wouldn't say that I have a good understanding of all of them because there are some emotions I've never felt and the ones I do feel have always been shallow and fleeting. I often have to fake or mimic other people's emotions when socializing just to blend in. Maybe that's because I'm also Schizoid, and not just AsPD/Sociopathic.

 How were you made? I also have to do the same thing when socializing. However, I understand all emotions just feel they are not necessary, and cant really feel them myself. If i do feel something its not love or empathy, more anger and happiness but lasts for very short period of time.

by DarknessorDie

 How were you made?

 A psychologist I spoke to, who also works in neuroscience, told me that it's likely I have stunted brain development due to my abusive upbringing. She wanted me to have an fMRI (brain scan), but it would have cost me a few thousand dollars and I couldn't afford it. So, I don't actually know if she's right, but I'd say it's a strong possibility.

Thank you both for presenting some alternative opinions and information on this topic. I think often we realize that so much of what has been written or considered to be valid and concrete is just the tip, there is so much in the field of psychology that has not been tested or explored. I am most interested in neuroscience as it deals directly with empirical facts and specifically the brain.

I do agree however that environment is a huge factor, on a personal note, I grew up in an excessively cold environment with people who were extremely detached, a father who was a government scientist, a sociopath brother who was for all practical purposes a cult leader and a narcissist mother, who ran over a dog and told me not to tell my father until after dinner. I could go on but then I would have to compete for the most dysfunctional family stories with the rest of you!