Sociopath Community

Since when does a person with aspergers always have empathy?

I can see it.

The old term autistic psychopathy (meaning pathology, something anomalous in the person's functioning) is still floating around out there. But I doubt a psychiatrist would use the term in such a misleading way. I believe the term goes back to poor old Bruno Bettelheim, no?

Maybe a social worker or other referring agency mixed up the 2 conditions?

At any rate, I would recommend against talking about either condition. What people don't know won't come back to bite you on the ass, my friend. If you must explain something that a person in authority (a teacher, nurse or doctor) finds unusual about your behaviour, tell them about the Asperger's dx.

But be very careful. There is still a lot of prejudice out there.

I dont understand how you can be diagnosed with both. One has empathy, one does not.

Who exactly would you like to share this with? And, what exactly would you like them to understand? 

I have Aspergers Syndrome and I have also recently been diagnosed with Anti Social Personality Disorder. I am finding it difficult to tell people as I really don't think they will understand.

Just because someone has emotions doesn't mean they have empathy. Isn't one of the features of aspergers, erm, lack of empathy?

I've got an aspie relative who appears sweet and sensitive, like if you shout at him he will cry. But he's been into microwaving small animals since he was a kid, and generally just finds cruelty and bad stuff happening really funny, like he would laugh at a holocaust documentary for example.

It just doesn't come out as naturally as it does with an NT. Some people say Borderlines don't have empathy. Other people say they do.

I think people with different brains function differently. There are times when I am manic that I am completely self-absorbed and ignore everyone but myself. I do it when talking. My minds goes so fast, that I am literally taping my foot waiting to talk. And a lot of times I interrupt.

You have seen me do it, I am sure.

Spectrum.

People with aspergers can sometimes lack empathy. Parents can sometimes choose not to acknowledge it though even if their children do because they associate lacking empathy as a bad person.

I didn't say everyone with aspergers lacks empathy, just some do.