Psychopathy is not considered an independent mental disorder. The fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) calls it a subtype of antisocial personality disorder, but what we call “psychopathy” refers to one of the so-called dark triads. personality.
The Dark Triad is a combination of narcissism, psychopathy, and Machiavellianism—malicious or violent behavioral tendencies that can be observed in normal (or subclinical) populations. Later, sadism was included as a fourth characteristic known as the “black tetrad”.
In popular culture, psychopaths are often portrayed as serial killers. But in reality, few criminals, let alone serial killers, are psychopaths. It could be successful CEOs, CEOs, top university managers, office bullies, ambitious tiger moms, ultra-popular high school girls, passive-aggressive partners, or angry neighbors.
Are you one of them? Here are 8 symptoms of psychopathy in normal and subclinical populations. If most of these sound plausible to you, you may have psychopathic tendencies.
- You are smarter than others.
Unless something happens and you’re bored, you won’t feel negative emotions like fear, sadness, regret, or despair. It helps solve complex problems and allows you to act quickly when needed. This allows you to stay calm and collected during emergencies or when deadlines are hanging over your head. Because people in life-threatening situations can take quick, strategic action without being distracted by pain or suffering, you’re more likely to survive if you’re there when it happens.
- You are almost a different person in different situations.
You are acting like a chameleon. You can adapt your behavior to any situation. Knows how to use flattery and praise to gain the trust of others. You are a skilled actor or actress who can mimic emotions and play any role the situation calls for. You can be funny, charming, entertaining, or you can impress others and let them know you care deeply if you want them to benefit.
- You quickly get tired of other people and what they do.
You need adrenaline to keep you entertained. You can get adrenaline by leading the crowd or living a dangerous life. Or you can use stimulants to get that adrenaline rush you want. When things get too boring, you tend to play mind games with people to satisfy your constant need for stimulation.
- You often act impulsively.
You tend to take extreme risk-taking behavior and act immediately without considering or thinking about any consequences. You know you have an important job to do at 7am, but maybe it’s okay to stay up until 4am watching a movie. Or you’ve promised yourself you’ll quit, but you’re on your way to buy another pack of meth or cocaine.
- You often lie and you don’t even understand why.
Although telling the truth is not a problem, you tend to lie to other people’s questions. Sometimes you lie to get attention or to make yourself look better. But you often lie, and that doesn’t make you better or more interesting. The only thing that motivates you is the act of lying. You prefer to lie (outright) even if it doesn’t benefit you, and you’re good at it. For you, lying is almost an art.
- You rarely take responsibility for your own actions because someone or something else is always to blame.
You rarely take responsibility for your actions because you tend to think that when something goes wrong, it’s not your fault. Instead, other people or circumstances are to blame for your failure. If you don’t keep a promise to a friend, it’s because your boss is asking too much of you. If you’re always late for work, it’s because your roommate spends hours in your bathroom. On the rare occasion that you admit your wrongdoing, you feel cornered, but even when you do admit it, you don’t feel remorse, guilt, or remorse.
- You prefer a parasitic lifestyle.
You always try to get more than you give. You can make more money than the rest of your family combined, sleep on your sister’s couch, or live off your parents’ money. When people buy you food, drinks, movies, or do something nice for you, you reciprocate by thinking about itGoing to a psychiatrist or psychotherapist seems pointless to you. You find it funny that you think you have a personality disorder. If you’ve ever wanted professional advice, it’s because you’ve been a victim of someone else’s ignorance or failure.
