Exposure

Recently, I received a question via email, "what is the best way to handle a situation where a sociopath is attempting to seduce my fiance of 8 years and father of our 7 yr old daughter?
My answer: EXPOSURE... Track down the truth- the good, bad and the ugly about the sociopath and show your boyfriend (whether he is interested or not in her). A sociopaths world and impression of themselves is built on lies. They will figure out exactly what they need to say based on their "reading" of the person they are interested and will fabricate their communication to be exactly what they feel the person they are interested needs and or wants. They go to great lengths to hide their true past because they know that no one wants to be with a self-centered manipulator. Talk to her exs, previous employers, co-workers, do a criminal background check. Go all out and expose all public records, copies of emails and chat logs on the various cheater websites. Forward the information to her friends and family. When the negative repurcusions begin to impact her negatively and she realizes she has nothing to gain by continuing her pursuit but more exposure, she will stop. She is not after your boyfriend because she wants a relationship with him. She wants him because he is committed to you. It's a game for sociopaths and they don't care who gets hurt in the process. Don't stand for it. Stand up and EXPOSE HER TO THE WORLD.

"MY BRAIN MADE ME DO IT!!" WHATEVER!!!

 The main characteristic of a sociopath is a disregard for the rights of others. Sociopaths are also unable to conform to what society defines as a normal personality. Antisocial tendencies are a big part of the sociopath’s personality. This pattern usually comes into evidence around the age of 15. If it is not treated, it can develop into adulthood.   Visible symptoms include aggression and the inability to hold down a steady job. The sociopath also finds it hard to sustain relationships and shows a lack of regret in his or her actions. A major personality behavior trait is the violation of the rights of others. 
   People with antisocial personality disorder frequently indulge in alcohol or drug use. They may use these substances heavily as a way of heightening their antisocial personality. The sociopath sometimes sees the world on his or her own terms, as a place of high drama and risky thrills. The sociopath may suffer from low self esteem, and the use of alcohol and drugs is a way to diminish these feelings.

"The manipulative con-man. The guy who lies to your face, even when he doesn’t have to. The child who tortures animals. The cold-blooded killer. Sociopaths are characterised by an absence of empathy and poor impulse control, with a total lack of conscience. About 1% of the total population can be defined as sociopaths, according to a detailed psychological profile checklist. They tend to be egocentric, callous, manipulative, deceptive, superficial, irresponsible and parasitic, even predatory. The majority of sociopaths are not violent and many do very well in jobs where their personality traits are advantageous and their social tendencies tolerated. However, some have a predisposition to calculated, “instrumental” violence; violence that is cold-blooded, planned and goal-directed. Sociopaths are vastly over-represented among criminals; it is estimated they make up about 20% of the inmates of most prisons. They commit over half of all violent crimes and are 3-4 times more likely to re-offend. They are almost entirely refractory to rehabilitation. These are not nice people.

So how did they get that way? Is it an innate biological condition, a result of social experience, or an interaction between these factors? Longitudinal studies have shown that the personality traits associated with sociopathy are highly stable over time. Early warning signs including “callous-unemotional traits” and antisocial behaviour can be identified in childhood and are highly predictive of future sociopathy. Large-scale twin studies have shown that these traits are highly heritable – identical twins, who share 100% of their genes, are much more similar to each other in this trait than fraternal twins, who share only 50% of their genes. In one study, over 80% of the variation in the callous-unemotional trait across the population was due to genetic differences. In contrast, the effect of a shared family environment was almost nil. Sociopathy seems to be a lifelong trait, or combination of traits, which are heavily influenced by genes and hardly at all by social upbringing.

The two defining characteristics of sociopaths, blunted emotional response to negative stimuli, coupled with poor impulse control, can both be measured in psychological and neuroimaging experiments. Several studies have found decreased responsiveness of the amygdala to fearful or other negative stimuli in sociopaths. They do not seem to process heavily loaded emotional words, like “rape”, for example, any differently from how they process neutral words, like “table”. This lack of response to negative stimuli can be measured in other ways, such as the failure to induce a galvanic skin response (heightened skin conduction due to sweating) when faced with an impending electrical shock. Sociopaths have also been found to underactivate limbic (emotional) regions of the brain during aversive learning, correlating with an insensitivity to negative reinforcement. The sociopath really just doesn’t care. In this, sociopaths differ from many people who are prone to sudden, impulsive violence, in that those people tend to have a hypersensitive negative emotional response to what would otherwise be relatively innocuous stimuli.

What these two groups have in common is poor impulse control. This faculty relies on the part of the brain called the prefrontal cortex, most particularly the orbitofrontal cortex. It is known that lesions to this part of the brain impair planning, prediction of consequences, and inhibition of socially unacceptable behaviour – the cognitive mechanisms of “free won’t”, rather than free will. This brain region is also normally activated by aversive learning, and this activation is also reduced in psychopaths. In addition, both the prefrontal cortex and the amygdala show substantial average reductions in size in sociopaths, suggesting a structural difference in their brains.

These findings have now been united by a recent study that directly analysed connectivity between these two regions. Using diffusion tensor imaging (see post of August 31st 2009), Craig and colleagues found that a measure of the integrity of the axonal tract connecting these two regions, called the uncinate fasciculus, was significantly reduced in sociopaths. Importantly, connectivity of these regions to other parts of the brain was normal. These data thus suggest a specific disruption of the network connecting orbitofrontal cortex and amygdala in psychopaths, the degree of which correlated strongly with the subjects’ scores on the psychopathy checklist.

All of these findings are pointing to a picture of sociopathy as an innate, genetically driven difference in connectivity between parts of the brain that normally drive empathy, conscience and impulse control. Not a fault necessarily, and not something that could be classified as a disease or that is always a disadvantage. At a certain frequency in the population, the traits of sociopathy may be highly advantageous to the individual.

This conclusion has serious ethical and legal implications. Could a sociopath mount a legal defense by saying “my brain made me do it”? Or my “genes made me do it”? Is this any different from saying my rotten childhood made me do it? Sociopaths know right from wrong – they just don’t care. That is what society calls “bad”, not “mad”. But if they are constitutionally incapable of caring, can they really be blamed for it? On the other hand, if violent sociopaths are a continuing danger to society and completely refractory to rehabilitation, what is to be done with them? Perhaps, as has been proposed in the UK, people with the extreme sociopathic personality profile (or maybe in the near future even a specific genetic profile?) should be monitored or segregated even before they commit a crime. While it is crucial that these debates are informed by good science, these issues have no clear-cut answers. They will be resolved on a pragmatic basis, weighing the behaviour that society is willing to tolerate versus the rights of the individual, whatever their brains look like, to define their own moral standards."  Simple enough?

(Craig, M., Catani, M., Deeley, Q., Latham, R., Daly, E., Kanaan, R., Picchioni, M., McGuire, P., Fahy, T., & Murphy, D. (2009). Altered connections on the road to psychopathy Molecular Psychiatry, 14 (10), 946-953 DOI: 10.1038/mp.2009.40)

GOOD DEFINITION OF ANTI-SOCIAL PERSONALITY DISORDER (SOCIOPATH)

Antisocial personality disorder

Socioathic personality; Sociopathy; Personality disorder - antisocial

Antisocial personality disorder is a mental health condition in which a person has a long-term pattern of manipulating, exploiting, or violating the rights of others. This behavior is often criminal.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

The causes of antisocial personality disorder are unknown. Genetic factors and child abuse are believed to contribute to the development of this condition. People with an antisocial or alcoholic parent are at increased risk. Far more men than women are affected. The condition is common in people who are in prison.

Symptoms

A person with antisocial personality disorder may:

• Be able to act witty and charming
• Be good at flattery and manipulating other people's emotions
• Break the law repeatedly
• Disregard the safety of self and others
• Have problems with substance abuse(most notably alcohol)
• Lie, steal, and fight often
• Not show guilt or remorse
• Often be angry or arrogant
• Moves frequently
• Poor or no attainable plans for the future 
• Frequent use of alias

Signs and tests

Like other personality disorders, antisocial personality disorder is diagnosed based on a psychological evaluation and the history and severity of symptoms.

Treatment

Antisocial personality disorder is one of the most difficult personality disorders to treat. People with this condition rarely seek treatment on their own. They may only start therapy when required to by a court.
The effectiveness of treatment for antisocial personality disorder is not known. Treatments that show the person the negative consequences of illegal behavior seem to hold the most promise.

Expectations (prognosis)

Symptoms tend to peak during the late teenage years and early 20s.

Complications

Complications can include imprisonment, drug abuse, violence, strained family relationships, inability to maintain employment, multiple hospitalizations and suicide.

 

A LOOK AT BIPOLAR DISORDER.

What is Bipolar Disorder?

Bipolar disorder is a chronic illness with recurring episodes of mania and depression that can last from one day to months. This mental illness causes unusual and dramatic shifts in mood, energy and the ability to think clearly. Cycles of high (manic) and low (depressive) moods may follow an irregular pattern that differs from the typical ups and downs experienced by most people. The symptoms of bipolar disorder can have a negative impact on a person’s life. Damaged relationships or a decline in job or school performance are potential effects, but positive outcomes are possible.
Two main features characterize people who live with bipolar disorder: intensity and oscillation (ups and downs). People living with bipolar disorder often experience two intense emotional states. These two states are known as mania and depression. A manic state can be identified by feelings of extreme irritability and/or euphoria, along with several other symptoms during the same week such as agitation, surges of energy, reduced need for sleep, talkativeness, pleasure-seeking and increased risktaking behavior. On the other side, when an individual experiences symptoms of depression they feel extremely sad, hopeless and loss of energy. Not everyone’s symptoms are the same and the severity of mania and depression can vary.
More than 10 million Americans have bipolar disorder. Because of its irregular patterns, bipolar disorder is often hard to diagnose. Although the illness can occur at any point in life, more than one-half of all cases begin between ages 15-25. Bipolar disorder affects men and women equally.

What Does Recovery Look Like?

As people become familiar with their illness, they recognize their own unique patterns of behavior. If individuals recognize these signs and seek effective and timely care, they can often prevent relapses. But because bipolar disorder has no cure, treatment must be continuous.
Individuals who live with bipolar disorder also benefit tremendously from taking responsibility for their own recovery. Once the illness is adequately managed, one must monitor potential side effects.
The notion of recovery involves a variety of perspectives. Recovery is a holistic process that includes traditional elements of physical health and aspects that extend beyond medication. Recovery from serious mental illness also includes attaining, and maintaining, physical health as another cornerstone of wellness.
The recovery journey is unique for each individual. There are several definitions of recovery; some grounded in medical and clinical values, some grounded in context of community and successful living. One of the most important principles of recovery is this: recovery is a process, not an event. The uniqueness and individual nature of recovery must be honored. While serious mental illness impacts individuals in many challenging ways, the concept that all individuals can move towards wellness is paramount.
Bipolar disorder presents a special challenge because its manic, or hypomania, stages can be seductive. People with bipolar disorder may be afraid to seek treatment because they are afraid that they will feel flat, less capable or less creative. These fears must be weighed against the benefits of getting and staying well. A person may feel good while manic but may make choices that could seriously damage relationships, finances, health, home life or job prospects.
It is very common for people living with bipolar disorder to want to discontinue their medication because of side effects or because it has been a long time since the last episode of illness. However, it should be remembered that the progress one has attained is reliant upon continuing to take medication.

Sociopaths are very egocentric

Sociopaths are very egocentric individuals that lack a sense of personal responsibility and morality.
 "...They may be impulsive, manipulative, reckless, quarrelsome, and consistent liars."
Sociopaths are usually unable to sustain relationships and have a total lack of remorse for their actions AND may also be very prone to aggressive, hostile, and sometimes violent behavior.
This aggression may or may not lead to criminal behavior and often takes the form
of domestic violence. Along with these other actions, sociopaths often engage
in self-destructive behavior such as alcoholism or addiction to drugs.  This, of course, usually worsens many aspects of the sociopathic behavior. Despite these previous symptoms, the sociopath may be an excellent actor, always appearing charming, calm, and collected. They usually have a normal or above normal intelligence level and good verbal fluency. It is these qualities that sometimes place he sociopath in leadership positions within their social groups and often make it hard to spot their "black side." 

An individual who is antisocial because he breaks SOCIAL NORMS which either land him in legal trouble, or result in his exploitation and abuse of others at their expense for his or her personal gain. Sociopaths generally have a criminal record and they often have a few key traits:

• They are extremely charming, manipulative, conning as they can lie and lure people, acting as their friends and then hurting them later on.
• They have less guilt or remorse due to heavy abuse, lack of concience, low serotonin levels in the brain and often acting out their whole life as a normal person when they really see people as pawns on the chessboard.
• They are compulsive liars and will say what they believe the victim wishes to hear.
• They above all deny they are at fault.  The issues in their life is always someone else's fault.
• They are often sneaky, secretive and clandestine in their persona. They hide behind fake names and often highly cryptic in their communication. They will portray themselves through social media in a pseudo-intelligent and philosphical manner. (will copy and paste lyrics to little known songs or poetry by other not known amateur poets as if it was original thought).
• Many have explosive tempers, bouts of anger and no impulse control. Theyabuse alcohol, illicit drugs, pornography and frequent strip joints and rough bars where they will throw their fist in a split second over little things. 
• They are aggresive. They will stalk, predatorize and pursue their goals very extensively, manipulating people and situations.  They will maintain that they "answer to no one" or "fear not for themselves". 
• Once their facade is seen through and they are "figured out" they will say disparging and hostile remarks as well as making threats toward public humilation or personal safety especialy when they are angered..  They attempt to dominate things and bully others to get what they want.   
• They respect no boundaries socially or morally.  They will work hard to break up a marriage simply to say they did.  However, Sociopaths are highly promiscuious thus  have severe trouble in relationships.  One reason is they lose interest quickly once they have accomplished the "conquest" and the other reason is that the other person quickly begins to see the psychological impairment whether through the lying or through violence.
• Sociopaths will have a history of failed relationships (divorce) and if children involved, due to their poor sense of responsibility, have a poor history of providing support for the children (financially, emotionally and physically).   
• The sociopath has difficulty in maintaining employment due to their disrespect for boundaries and authority.  They have a long list of meanial jobs and many choose to live "off the system" through social welfare, prison, or false disability. 

Simply, sociopaths believe that they are doing nothing wrong or doing something extremely good, due to their egocentricity and grandiose sense of self-worth.  This to justify their cold-bloodedly acquiring what they want and to do as they please at the expense of others.  They are predators who satisfy their lust for power and control through superficial charm, manipulation, intimidation, and violence.  Exposing and avoiding them is the best way to disarm them and prevent harm to others. 

MAPPING THE CYCLES

It's interesting to watch from a distance the cycle that one particular sociopath with dx bipolar disorder that I am familiar engages. He will disappear into which characteristically meets a depressive state during which he has been hospitalized numerous times throughout his life. Then he cycles as expected of one who refuses treatment and is adamant that he is normal with no issues to his hypo/hyper manic phase. During this he is more visible, arrogant and boasterous. This is the time which the sociopath characteristics really become evident. His search for control is focused entirely on relationships with the opposite sex. So the pattern that indicates his psychiatric status is his attempt to appear as a romantic in different public forums such as Facebook. He will steal little known song lyrics and amateur poet submissions to play off as his own with intent to manipulate and snare unsuspecting and in most cases psychologically impaired females.
An impairment has to exist in those he attracts because he is overweight, an alcoholic, chain smoker, has a long legal history, Has no measurable employment and no ambition other than to appear more than what he actually is. From females I have been in contact which were fooled by his facade, the damage he inflicted is still present. It's amazing people can be so foolish and others can be so ignorant. Definitely interesting to have him figured out and hope others do as well as to avoid the damage a relationship with him will bring.  There is no intelligence in his actions or existence.  He is incapable to admit their lack of respect and the inability to learn (as are most sociopaths) from his mistakes and even more telling is his refusal to acknowledge boundaries and refrain from incroaching them.

Misery- toddler mind... Adult body!

I lay here tonight with my wife's head on my chest, in well deserved bliss, as we listen to the crash of the ocean's breaking waves. Our legs are intertwined as I feel her smooth skin pressing against me. She is at the edge of deep sleep as both our heart rates have slowed, breathing again normal and only a slight film of moisture remains coating our skin following our sharing of each other.
My mind is at peace but always processing, analytically, different facets of this life. I am drawn this night to once again the misery people find themselves, which is the exact opposite of where I and my wife find ourselves, and the lengths they will reach not to alleviate their misery but rather drag others to their same level. Misery indeed does love company. Fact is whether they find themselves miserable in life through their own stupidity or due to mental illness, the things they perceive will change their miserable existence is generally another false step that stands to cause another person to fall into their pit of despair. They attempt to force those that are happy to take ownership of their misery! It's interesting that all that are miserable claim the victim role in life. Their misery is always the fault of someone else. Their thought process is simply psychotic! You commit a crime(society has established guidelines and definitions of actions that make right and wrong simple to understand) then accountability is expected. You knew your actions were unacceptable but you went through with it anyway.. That does not make you a victim! It makes you a perpetrator. Boundaries exist in every facet of life. Some to protect you, some to protect others but no matter they exist to protect from harm. If someone crosses a boundary and comes to some harm, whose fault is it? The one who crossed it is to blame and when the harm(consequences) are experienced they are getting what they knew could happen so in no way can they remotely claim to be a victim. I understand fully however that in the case of the presence of a mental illness, they have decreased intellectual capacity that impedes their ability to understand that their misery in life is a direct consequence of their many delusional choices in attempt to escape their misery by making someone else as or more miserable than themselves. In such a case, the person they "bring down" is truly the victim. Sociopaths are prime examples- they enjoy the "chase", the "game" of controlling the life of another. The sociopath is so miserable that the only way they can experience any satisfaction is participating in and seeing someone else hate life more than they. They are incapable of respecting boundaries as evidenced in broken relationships, legal issues and difficulty in functioning to make a living. Once someone sees through their game and calls them to accountability, the sociopath will "beat their chest", threaten, belittle, proclaim to be innocent and play the role of the victim! The sociopath is useless. Their biochemical imbalance, even through many hospitalizations (Dorthea Dix for example), he/she remains a lost cause and a continued waste of tax payer money for regardless of treatment- (medication, ECT, CBT, etc) their life will always be miserable, they will continue to make bad decisions that will be caught by stable and intelligent individuals. Those individuals (legal or private) will call the sociopath to accountability through negative consequences and again the sociopath will attempt to manipulate others to see him/her as the victim! This process will continue over the entire course of his/her life because of their lack mental capacity to take ownership of the mess they call their life. Forever they will be toddlers in adult bodies and a drain on society. I personally know of a couple for which there is no hope. What a miserable life they have made for themselves but frankly they deserve all the misery!