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Psychopathic personality is a personality disorder involving a specific way of thinking and perceiving reality, emotional deficit and behavior, often inconsistent with social norms, but consistent with the internal beliefs of a given person (often in conflict with generally recognized norms).
What is the psychopathic personality?
In the register of mental disorders, the terms “psychopath” or “psychopathic personality” do not appear, but this type of personality functions in the common discourse and is used to define people with specific characteristics, often behaving in an antisocial manner and showing a high degree of dissociation. In the colloquial understanding, a psychopath is someone who completely rejects moral and social norms, strives for gratification and fulfills his own needs (often contrary to the social order) above all costs, disregards the feelings of other people and is devoid of feelings himself. A man with a psychopathic personality calculates with cold logic and fulfills his goals and whims, without even withdrawing from acts prohibited by law.
What are the symptoms of a psychopathic personality?
The psychopathic personality is not easily recognizable. Psychopaths are usually very intelligent and can disguise themselves perfectly. They can also be charming and charming to attract potential victims. Although the suffering of others is not always an end in itself (psychopathic personality should not be confused with sadism), they do not take into account the feelings and needs of other people at all. They also disregard authorities and do not see the need to follow the rules and norms in force in a given community. In order to achieve their own benefit, they will not shy away from lying and other, often drastic, violations of the moral and social order. They feel no anxiety or fear or have an elevated threshold for feeling them. They seem tough and fearless, but it is also associated with a lack of responsibility for their own decisions and actions, as well as a lack of responsibility for others. The model psychopath has a high self-esteem and is convinced of his own uniqueness, even if this is not confirmed by the facts. He blames others or the “system” for his failures. Psychopathic personality also means low resistance to frustration – a person has a tendency to become angry and aggressive when things go wrong or when they cannot meet their needs. The psychopath also has a great ability to justify his own actions – no matter how morally reprehensible his behavior is, he always has an explanation.
- See also: What is Sociopathy?
What are the causes of the psychopathic personality?
The causes of the psychopathic personality are not clearly defined. Usually, we talk about genetic and individual conditions, about a set of specific character traits which, under favorable circumstances, cause the formation of a psychopathic personality. They can also be disorders of the nervous system or anomalies in the structure of the brain.
One possible cause of the development of a psychopathic personality is traumatic childhood experiences, for example, being a victim of sexual harassment or witnessing some cruelty.
How to deal with the case of the psychopathic personality?
The psychopathic personality is a source of many problems, especially if we want to enter into a closer relationship with someone like this (usually unaware who we are dealing with). The psychopath has a low level of positive emotions, but is nevertheless usually willing to enter into relationships because this is how he can meet his needs. His strategy is to initially charm his partner and present himself in the perfect light so that he can manipulate the person and achieve his own goals. If the psychopath’s partner at some point notices his true face and rebels against being treated as such, he unscrupulously abandons him and lays a trap for another victim.
Treatment of a psychopathic personality is not easy because a psychopath sees no reason to undergo treatment. In his opinion, everything is fine with him, and if someone does not like his behavior, it is that person’s problem.
Pharmacological treatments for psychopathy fail – a person with a psychopathic personality has no symptoms that can be cured or even reduced with pills. Lack of empathy is difficult to correct also through psychotherapy.
Psychopaths are intelligent, so they are aware of the peculiarities of their own personality. The problem is that they don’t see any problem in it. So they see no point in undertaking any therapy. He will not be prompted by his partner’s requests, because the partner is treated as a source of satisfying the needs, and if he does not fulfill this task, he is exchanged for a person who does not cause problems.