This is a weird topic to even think about. For the past couple of months I've been wondering if I am a sociopath or have sociopathic tendencies. I've attempted to do internet research on the subject but all I came up with were biased article decrying sociopaths, which to say the least were neither helpful nor reassuring. So I decided to pose the question here.
EDIT: LOLOL according to the "wikitest" I'm a sociopath. I'd say it's bull.
Yeah, according to it I probably could have been considered a Sociopath as a kid. Or even Senior year of High School (although Narcissist may have been closer).
I was kind of joking about the reassurance thing. It's more of being mildly concerned about how it might affect interactions with others given this general attitude towards sociopaths. And I don't care, in the sense of having feelings about the issue. I'm coming at this from the perspective of being curious from an analytical point of view.
The wikitest is definitely not a good representation, I have most of the things on the list but so do many other people I know.
I was kind of joking about the reassurance thing. It's more of being mildly concerned about how it might affect interactions with others given this general attitude towards sociopaths. And I don't care, in the sense of having feelings about the issue. I'm coming at this from the perspective of being curious from an analytical point of view.
The wikitest is definitely not a good representation, I have most of the things on the list but so do many other people I know.
Chances are you are not.
Here's the thing - Nerds in general just have a tendency towards antisocial behavior. It doesn't make them sociopaths, it just makes them jerks for whatever reason (as we all know, very few nerds have an easy childhood). Usually it has to do with depression or some other issue.
I was kind of joking about the reassurance thing. It's more of being mildly concerned about how it might affect interactions with others given this general attitude towards sociopaths. And I don't care, in the sense of having feelings about the issue. I'm coming at this from the perspective of being curious from an analytical point of view.
The wikitest is definitely not a good representation, I have most of the things on the list but so do many other people I know.
The majority of people do not particularly know what makes someone a sociopath. So it really doesn't matter if you know what psychologists believe are the behavioral tendencies of sociopaths anyhow.
Most of the stuff on the list are impulsive behavior that one will have little control over anyhow.
Oh, and justifying a behavioral tendencies in the way you did does not follow. What if you and many of the people you know have behavioral tendencies that can make them a sociopath?
In any case, I think the test that the WHO uses is too general. The DSM-IV is much more specific. I only fall on one of the check-points, and that's called procrastinating.
Man, maybe it's just the friends I keep, but it seems like everyone these days are going through the same crisis of worrying that they're a sociopath.
If you're worried about your empathy levels and your ability to relate to people, at the very most you might have mild aspergers syndrome, and at the very least you might suffer from a social anxiety disorder. These are all quite common, and no one should fault you for it. There is medication that can be taken, if you're really worried. You can also either see a psychologist or bring it up with an available counselor (I don't know how old you are or what you living situation is like, but parents are always a good thing to turn to, or someone else's parents, if you know any mom or dad who's a therapist).
1) The people who have advised against self-diagnosis are absolutely correct. Most people who try to diagnose their own mental disorders invariably discover that they fit some or all of the markers or symptoms of those disorders, which does nothing to reassure them or solve the problem. There is no harm in sitting down with a licensed therapist (no, the guy you're matched up against at FNM doesn't count) to talk about what you're feeling.
2) My gut instinct is that sociopathic disorder isn't a black-and-white thing, and that there's probably a sliding scale of sociopathic tendencies that most people can relate to to some degree or another. Trying to decide whether what you observe about yourself is a more or less severe behavioral marker is probably a wonderful topic of conversation with a licensed therapist (see #1, above).
Seek out a professional and have them help you through the questions you need to ask to find out. Self diagnosis is never successful, and none of us know you well enough to tell you one way or the other.
I do believe a lot of people confuse their introvertistic qualities for sociopathic tendencies, and they're not really the same. But again, I don't know you personally, so I can't tell you what's what.
Here's the thing - Nerds in general just have a tendency towards antisocial behavior.
Do you really think that's true? Traditionally, gamers seek out others with like minded interests, which is not very antisocial at all.
I can't honestly relate, I am a naturally outgoing person, so I've never had any particular issues with being social, and I've been hanging around the type of people you described my entire life, so I might just be blind to what you're talking about.
2) My gut instinct is that sociopathic disorder isn't a black-and-white thing, and that there's probably a sliding scale of sociopathic tendencies that most people can relate to to some degree or another. Trying to decide whether what you observe about yourself is a more or less severe behavioral marker is probably a wonderful topic of conversation with a licensed therapist (see #1, above).
This is the case with all mental disorders really.
The people saying "A sociopath wouldn't care to find out" are right. Sociopaths don't have to be apathetic to everything, and usually aren't.
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1) The people who have advised against self-diagnosis are absolutely correct. Most people who try to diagnose their own mental disorders invariably discover that they fit some or all of the markers or symptoms of those disorders, which does nothing to reassure them or solve the problem. There is no harm in sitting down with a licensed therapist (no, the guy you're matched up against at FNM doesn't count) to talk about what you're feeling..
This. I think it's hard to be able to know how one's traits compare to others without a wide range of experience diagnosing, and that's where the professional therapist comes in.
I am a diagnosed sociopath and Im perfectly fine not caring its actually a lot easier and pretty great. As far as social interactions go i just walk about the normal fashion have regular conversations with people even if i dont care what they are talking about. perks are your charming, intelligent, and have a good understanding of how to manipulate others to get what you want.
If it turns out you are one dont alarm yourself and keep living life. Im perfectly normal i have never killed anyone or anything horrible like that so you should be okay too.
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What is tolerance? It is the consequence of humanity. We are all formed of frailty and error; let us pardon reciprocally each other's folly — that is the first law of nature.- Voltaire
perks are your charming, intelligent, and have a good understanding of how to manipulate others to get what you want.
Or you're aggressive and overtly paranoid and can't navigate a conversation to save your life. There are such a vast amount of definitions for sociopathy that it's tough to really tell right away whether it's sociopathy or various other things. The variance is just pretty wide.
Like I said, best way to find out for sure is consult a professional.
How do I tell if I am a sociopath?
Specifically the diagnosis part. From what the text says, it's taken directly from the DSM-IV, which is the textbook on all mental conditions.
Seriously, wiki is your best friend on most cases.
Didn't DSM-V just come out?
In any case, if you are actually wondering whether or not you're are a sociopath, you probably aren't a sociopath. You wouldn't care if you were.
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You get a few advantages out of being one though, tough luck.
EDIT: LOLOL according to the "wikitest" I'm a sociopath. I'd say it's bull.
Yeah, according to it I probably could have been considered a Sociopath as a kid. Or even Senior year of High School (although Narcissist may have been closer).
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*reads wiki link* Oh well whada ya know, according to that I probably have Dissocial Personality Disorder.
He was also looking for reassurance - something a Sociopath wouldn't need. They can be self-aware about what they are, but they wouldn't care.
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The wikitest is definitely not a good representation, I have most of the things on the list but so do many other people I know.
Chances are you are not.
Here's the thing - Nerds in general just have a tendency towards antisocial behavior. It doesn't make them sociopaths, it just makes them jerks for whatever reason (as we all know, very few nerds have an easy childhood). Usually it has to do with depression or some other issue.
TerribleBad at Magic since 1998.A Vorthos Guide to Magic Story | Twitter | Tumblr
[Primer] Krenko | Azor | Kess | Zacama | Kumena | Sram | The Ur-Dragon | Edgar Markov | Daretti | Marath
The majority of people do not particularly know what makes someone a sociopath. So it really doesn't matter if you know what psychologists believe are the behavioral tendencies of sociopaths anyhow.
Most of the stuff on the list are impulsive behavior that one will have little control over anyhow.
Oh, and justifying a behavioral tendencies in the way you did does not follow. What if you and many of the people you know have behavioral tendencies that can make them a sociopath?
In any case, I think the test that the WHO uses is too general. The DSM-IV is much more specific. I only fall on one of the check-points, and that's called procrastinating.
If you're worried about your empathy levels and your ability to relate to people, at the very most you might have mild aspergers syndrome, and at the very least you might suffer from a social anxiety disorder. These are all quite common, and no one should fault you for it. There is medication that can be taken, if you're really worried. You can also either see a psychologist or bring it up with an available counselor (I don't know how old you are or what you living situation is like, but parents are always a good thing to turn to, or someone else's parents, if you know any mom or dad who's a therapist).
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1) The people who have advised against self-diagnosis are absolutely correct. Most people who try to diagnose their own mental disorders invariably discover that they fit some or all of the markers or symptoms of those disorders, which does nothing to reassure them or solve the problem. There is no harm in sitting down with a licensed therapist (no, the guy you're matched up against at FNM doesn't count) to talk about what you're feeling.
2) My gut instinct is that sociopathic disorder isn't a black-and-white thing, and that there's probably a sliding scale of sociopathic tendencies that most people can relate to to some degree or another. Trying to decide whether what you observe about yourself is a more or less severe behavioral marker is probably a wonderful topic of conversation with a licensed therapist (see #1, above).
EVOLVE ALL THE THINGS!!!
Seek out a professional and have them help you through the questions you need to ask to find out. Self diagnosis is never successful, and none of us know you well enough to tell you one way or the other.
I do believe a lot of people confuse their introvertistic qualities for sociopathic tendencies, and they're not really the same. But again, I don't know you personally, so I can't tell you what's what.
Do you really think that's true? Traditionally, gamers seek out others with like minded interests, which is not very antisocial at all.
I can't honestly relate, I am a naturally outgoing person, so I've never had any particular issues with being social, and I've been hanging around the type of people you described my entire life, so I might just be blind to what you're talking about.
Because we care about facts.
The people saying "A sociopath wouldn't care to find out" are right. Sociopaths don't have to be apathetic to everything, and usually aren't.
This. I think it's hard to be able to know how one's traits compare to others without a wide range of experience diagnosing, and that's where the professional therapist comes in.
If it turns out you are one dont alarm yourself and keep living life. Im perfectly normal i have never killed anyone or anything horrible like that so you should be okay too.
:symu:::symr:UR Facts:symu::symr:
Or you're aggressive and overtly paranoid and can't navigate a conversation to save your life. There are such a vast amount of definitions for sociopathy that it's tough to really tell right away whether it's sociopathy or various other things. The variance is just pretty wide.
Like I said, best way to find out for sure is consult a professional.
Because we care about facts.