Life
6 Subtle Signs Your Partner Is A Sociopath
No relationship is perfect, and no matter how much you love someone, there may be a few things that start to bother you after you've been with someone for a while. They may be less than empathetic of your feelings during a difficult time. They may refused to go to an event that is important to you because they just "don't want to." You shrug both incidences off as minor and move on. Turns out, both could be signs you're married to a sociopath.
OK, to clarify, there's no diagnosis for a "sociopath." There is, however, one for the medical term of antisocial personality disorder, or ASP. According to Mayo Clinic, ASP is mental condition in which a person consistently shows no regard for right and wrong and ignores the rights and feelings of others. Although television shows and movies often depict individuals with this diagnosis as extremely violent, aggressive, and calculating (when they show them at all), psychologist Dr. Aaron Kipnis told WebMD that most people with antisocial personality disorder aren't violent. Obviously, the majority of people who selfishly skip an event or don't want to listen to all the details about your friend's brutal breakup don't have ASP. But if you notice that your partner exhibits any of the following traits, it's possible that he or she could in fact be a sociopath.
1They're Manipulative
Ever think your partner is a bit of a puppet master? According to The Huffington Post, sociopaths craft every situation to the way that works best for them, while making you question if you're actually the one at fault.
2They Don't Keep Up Their End Of The Bargain
Dr. Anne Brown, a therapist and the author of Backbone Power: The Art of Saying No, told VICE that one of the biggest clues your partner might be a sociopath is their inability to keep commitments. They also often tell stories and lies to cover up what they failed to achieve, do, or agree to.
3They Have No Shame
When sociopaths do something hurtful, mean, or selfish, they don't feel that same sense of remorse that others feel, according to Psychology Today. They also have few insecurities and self-doubts, and aren't easily ashamed or embarrassed.
4They're Only Interested In Themselves
For sociopaths, the most important thing is what they think or want. Kipnis told WebMD that sociopaths are good at climbing the corporate ladder or going after promotions, partially because they're extremely confident and don't mind stepping on people to get ahead.
5They Don't Have Any Friends
Often, sociopaths view any relationships in a more transactional manner. Friends are only as good as what they can do for the sociopath, as psychotherapist Ross Rosenberg told The Huffington Post. They may have many superficial acquaintances that can be asked for favors, but not many really close and long-lasting friendships.
6They Make Reckless Decisions
In an interview with Psych Central, psychologist Dr. John M. Grohol said sociopaths aren't overly concerned with consequences, so it can be easy for them to behave recklessly. And, as Psychology Today noted, sociopaths often exhibit poor judgment and an inability to learn from past mistakes, which can compound reckless behavior.
According to The Huffington Post, though their superficial charm can briefly disguise these signs (they're not as charming as psychopaths), sociopaths can't and won't keep these things hidden forever.
