Sociopath

[Guile]

How can one know if oneself is afflicted by the above mentioned disorder (AKA Anti-Social personality Disorder)?

Edit - Posted this in the wrong forum, it's mental, not a disability.

So do you people, from what you have seen, of me being, well myself, lead you to believe that I am a sufferer? Or, do you believe that I am just quite logical? I don't actively seek to cause harm, I just see it as an unfortunate by-product of being ahead of everyone else. I just believe, that I am the most important person in the world, because I only see the world through my eyes, and therefore I am the only one who can judge myself. As such, I seek to benefit myself in any way possible, even at the expense of the world.

Unlike what might be normal for a Sociopath, I do have friendships, and am working on a relationship with, let's call her Ms. Guile I am very good with people, an excellent leader, and can inspire confidence and valor in others. Sure, I don't feel bad when I lie, or do something wrong, or see something "awful", I just honestly don't give a damn about some random people overseas, or when I hear "XYZ died in XYZ event" I just shrug "Not my problem, who should I care?"

[LeapOfFayth]

Narcissistic personality disorder maybe? Doesn't sound like antisocial at all to me. But I'm far from any sort of expert.

[Nostalgia]

The only way you will know is if you visit a DR/Gp and ask them to test you for it, we can't diagnose. The only way you will know is to visit a Dr/Gp.

[PSY]

It doesn't seem like you'd meet all the criteria for ASPD. People with ASPD don't just struggle with their relationships... they may also end up in jail due to their deviant behavior (ex. participating in cons, arson, physical violence, etc.). The behavior needs to affect multiple areas of your life. Like a previous member said, though, we can't diagnose you.

[Ghost On The Highway]

Attention-seeker

[OMFG!You'reActuallySmart!]

Sociopaths, psychopaths, ASPDs and so forth are all good with people and many are leaders, inspiring the desired emotions into others. That said, a band camp leader can do all these but there's a fundamental difference between your ordinary band camp leader and someone with psychopathy or ASPD.

However, since you directly asked what we think of you, I think right now you're being an attention-seeker, poor at reading people (based on the chat where you mentioned Ms. Guile), somewhat intelligent, humourous, determined and kind-hearted. In other words, nothing extraordinary or exceptional. I wouldn't go as far to say narcissistic or arrogant, just confident.

I don't give a crap about what happens to people over-seas. I care about their economy because it affects the economy where I live but as long as the economy isn't going up and down like two people humping, I'm happy. Guilt is negotiable, it depends on the situation you're in. You can read an article of some kid who lost his leg because his daddy was playing with a chainsaw and forgot to take his anti-psychotic meds without feeling guilty, however, if you see someone in-person crying in pain because their leg is so badly damaged (especially if you caused it), would you feel guilty? You cant say yes or no unless you've been in that situation before. Personally I have, although this thread is about you, not me.

[Guile]

Originally Posted by The Man And XX Master

Sociopaths, psychopaths, ASPDs and so forth are all good with people and many are leaders, inspiring the desired emotions into others. That said, a band camp leader can do all these but there's a fundamental difference between your ordinary band camp leader and someone with psychopathy or ASPD.

However, since you directly asked what we think of you, I think right now you're being an attention-seeker, poor at reading people (based on the chat where you mentioned Ms. Guile), somewhat intelligent, humourous, determined and kind-hearted. In other words, nothing extraordinary or exceptional. I wouldn't go as far to say narcissistic or arrogant, just confident.

I don't give a crap about what happens to people over-seas. I care about their economy because it affects the economy where I live but as long as the economy isn't going up and down like two people humping, I'm happy. Guilt is negotiable, it depends on the situation you're in. You can read an article of some kid who lost his leg because his daddy was playing with a chainsaw and forgot to take his anti-psychotic meds without feeling guilty, however, if you see someone in-person crying in pain because their leg is so badly damaged (especially if you caused it), would you feel guilty? You cant say yes or no unless you've been in that situation before. Personally I have, although this thread is about you, not me.

I posted the thread not to attention-seek, but because I've been called a "sociopath" recently (well, numerous times), and finally decided to wonder if the thought was worth merit. Personally, I don't honestly think I am, maybe I have tendencies, but I don't think a person can self-diagnose (especially with a mental issue, being that you use your mind to judge).

Also, what did you mean by not good at reading people (the Ms. Guile thing)?

[Ghost On The Highway]

Sociopaths can be in relationships, the differentiating factor is basically that they use them for their own gain (sexual, material, prestige, etc.) and don't care about the emotional well-being of the other person.

They are not necessarily logical, though most ASPD's are calculating. Many have weird fetishes, issues with rage or spontaneity, etc.

ASPD's usually don't engage in altruistic behaviors, but then again, almost nobody does anyway. Why would one help another if he received no gain from doing so (gain can be material, emotional, sexual, spiritual, etc.)? Even, perhaps especially, Christians and Muslims give selfishly.

Usually I care more about characters in movies than people who die in tsunamis, the exception being seeing these people in person or on TV. Prose just doesn't move me to tears, ever.

[OMFG!You'reActuallySmart!]

Originally Posted by Guile

I posted the thread not to attention-seek, but because I've been called a "sociopath" recently (well, numerous times), and finally decided to wonder if the thought was worth merit. Personally, I don't honestly think I am, maybe I have tendencies, but I don't think a person can self-diagnose (especially with a mental issue, being that you use your mind to judge).

I've been called a psychopath, sociopath, narcissist, killer, sadist and damn near anything else under the Sun many times but it doesn't mean the labels are true (I do have a high opinion of myself). Generally, if someone calls you a sociopath, they're talking out of their arse because they probably don't have a clue what it really is and they go by ideas seen in popular TV shows. Not all individuals with those disorders will have a criminal history, although many with ASPD would. Also, remember that these disorders include your childhood life. Ignoring pseudo-psychopathy, traits of such disorders would be seen earlier on in life.

Such individuals would do altruistic behaviours but only if they gain something. It seems like common-sense, after all I want a reward for doing something, even if I have to work my way to get closer to the person to get the desired reward. The best analogy is a chess board. Pick up any chess piece, it's worthless, has no value and we can represent any given person by that chess piece. Once they have value in whatever way, then they're important and you want to use them for the given purpose. If they turn out to be useless or have served their purpose and have no other, then throw them away, they're a broken chess piece and you cant play with a broken chess piece. However, sometimes the chess piece will turn on you and not obey, in which case try harder or get rid of them and find another chess piece. Apply this analogy to society.

For a more practical example, let's consider the future Ms. Guile. You like her and she likes you (the exact qualities are irrelevant), so you'll take her out on a date, be happy boyfriend-girlfriend and all that but ultimately she's nothing more than a chess piece because she has some purpose and once she becomes useless or unwanted, you may try to see if she has some other purpose (i.e. stay to get money from her). If that also fails, you're going to toss her into the trash or perhaps string her along to toy with her like setting a puppet on fire (the fire represents the damage you cause her and the timing of when you'll drop the puppet and watch it burn). That's the best analogy I can come up with.

For argument sake, let's suppose the doctor tells you that you have psychopathy and ASPD. If anything you'll laugh at it, dismiss it or blame others. You aren't going to worry about it or ask the doctor to explain it (unless you want to toy with him/her). If you book an appointment with a psychologist or psychiatrist and ask, "hey doc, do I have sociopathy, ASPD or psychopathy", the doctor is unlikely to assess you for it. When someone is determined to have it, they usually see the psychologist/psychiatrist for a different disorder. The doctor would only be willing to test you for it if you've been referred for that particular reason.

It's good that you're not self-diagnosing. It's fine to ask about a mental illness.

Originally Posted by Guile

Also, what did you mean by not good at reading people (the Ms. Guile thing)?

In chat, when you were mentioning the girl and how she agreed to be your date, you were more confused than a blind man at a shooting range (i.e. when she asked who you're taking and was eager to go with you yet you were lost as the day is long). Perhaps you were being sarcastic or pissing around but if you weren't, then it's clear you're horrible at reading people. In order to manipulate someone, you have to be proficient at reading people, although if you found the most gullible person then reading them wouldn't be as much of an issue.

[Chair]

Originally Posted by Guile

Unlike what might be normal for a Sociopath, I do have friendships, and am working on a relationship with, let's call her Ms. Guile

So unlike what might be a normal sociopath, you are a person with normal social habits.

NAILED IT.

[Thirteen]

Well Guile, there are many other options that have some similar characteristics to a Sociopath, especially the concerns you've mentioned.

For example, the whole concept of feeling self-importance and lacking emotional response (which, correct me if I'm wrong, seems to be your biggest concern?) can be tied to Narcissistic Personality Disorder (as Rick said), but can also even be connected to Asperger's (which sometimes isn't caught as early as people think, since I know one diagnosed at 12, and one with the idea mentioned when he was almost 20!).

If you're really concerned, I'd suggest talking to your doctor, and they'd be able to help you get the right professional to help you figure out what, if anything, is the issue, and how to manage/cope/fix it.