12 Thoughts on How to Write a Sociopath Vs a Psychopath
What is a sociopath?
Sociopath Definition
Sociopathy According to Healthline “A sociopath is a term used to describe someone who has antisocial personality disorder” also known as ASPD.
Sociopath Traits
Signs and symptoms of a Sociopath can include:
- Doesn’t care to invest in the lives of others.
- Is typically “cold” towards others and their feelings or priorities.
- Has a hard time showing emotion.
- Tries to manipulate others using intelligence.
- Addiction to alcohol, drugs and other substances.
- Risk-taking with no thought of consequences for others or self.
- Having a grand sense of having superiority over others.
Other Characteristics of a Sociopath
- Never learning from mistakes.
- Breaks the law impulsively.
- Uses threats of suicide, but doesn’t act on the threat.
- Attempts to manipulate others through threats and intimidation.
Behaviors of a Sociopath
- Constant legal trouble from consistent criminal engagement.
- Gambling.
- Lying.
- Taking risks trying to get rich quick.
- Addictive behaviors.
- Unable to make long-lasting friendships and relationships.
- Uses people for a purpose rather than connection.
- No feeling of remorse.
- Little feeling for possible negative consequences from actions.
- Aggression.
- Purposeless destruction of property.
- Generally engage in behaviors that benefit themselves to the harm of others.
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How to Spot Signs of a Sociopath
- Use the person’s medical history.
- See what prescriptions they have.
- See what legal and illegal substances they are using.
- Interview friends and family to find out about habitual behaviors.
- Interview relationships past and present.
- Find out how many relationships they have at a time.
Interview the person in question to see how they feel about:
- Risk
- Stealing
- Alcohol
- Illegal substances
- Legal substances
- Relationships
- Friendship
- Family
- The law
- Consequences
- Money
- Mistakes they’ve made
- Legal trouble they’re in or have gone through
- Destroying others’ property
Sociopath Vs Narcissist
Is a Sociopath a Narcissist?
Narcissist Definition
Google Narcissist Definition: a person who has an excessive interest in or admiration of themselves.
According to Health.com, no, a Sociopath is different and is likely more dangerous to others than a Narcissist.
Both Sociopaths and Narcissists are self-absorbed, but carry this out in different ways. A Narcissist may end hurting someone because of their narcissistic behavior, but not intentionally and they won’t enjoy the harm of others.
A Sociopath may choose to harm others as a motive and would enjoy it and feel no remorse, and even excuse the behavior in their own mind.
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What is a High-Functioning Sociopath?
Healthline.com answers this question beautifully by saying, “A “sociopath” has little regard for another person’s emotions, rights, or experiences. They lack remorse for their actions, and they act in ways that show no regard for others, including lying, cheating, and manipulating.
Some people with this condition aren’t very sly about their conduct. Others are quite deceptive.
The people who have an easier time engaging in these dishonest behaviors may be called high-functioning sociopaths. Indeed, someone who’s high functioning often comes off as charming and warm, while hiding behaviors and conduct that’s often anything but.
People with high-functioning ASPD can often do typical ‘everyday’ things like hold down a job and maintain a marriage with kids. However, these otherwise typical behaviors often hide a tendency to manipulate and exploit people and situations for their benefit.
ASPD isn’t common. Between 1 to 4 percent of the population is estimated to have this disorder, with males 3 to 5 times more likely to be diagnosed than females.”
So to answer this question more simply some individuals with Sociopathy are able to hide their ASPD behaviors better than others by being charming, charismatic, and are able to keep up with social expectations such as relationships, jobs, and not being caught in criminal activities.
By having the ability to hide their Sociopathic behaviors they are seen as high-functioning.
What would a secondary character experience, being close to a character with ASPD?
Some characters don’t get to choose who is in their life. You as the writer of their story get to choose that.
They don’t get to choose their
- Brothers
- Sisters
- Mothers
- Fathers
- Cousins
- Aunts
- Uncles
- Grandmother
- Grandfather
- Teammates
- Kids at School
- Coworkers
- College roommates
- Children
They do get to choose
- Wife
- Husband
- Girlfriend
- Boyfriend
- Business Partner
- Friend
- Apartment roommate
- Adopted Daughter/Son
Seeing all these possible relationships, any of them could be a character with sociopathic behaviors and the controversy that comes out of relationships like these could be vast. In other words, there is a lot of material to work with here.
Your character may not know how to deal with the other character in their life that is a sociopath.
But some things to consider as possible behaviors or consequences:
- They may choose to leave
- They may abandon the character
- Set boundaries
- List out consequences for bad behavior
- Make ultimatums
- May be in denial
- May accept bad treatment
- May make excuses for them
- May be an enabler
- May be a co-conspirator in their bad behavior
- May both be Sociopathic, working together
- May try to run from the other character
- May try to disappear with the kids
- May try to get the other character fired
- May try to get them kicked out
- May try to force them to seek help
There are many interesting possibilities.
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What type of treatment would a character with Sociopathic Behaviors seek?
Most Sociopaths believe they have no problem, but if you do want to write your character seeking treatment here are some realistic ideas:
- A loved one forces them to seek help
- Legal authorities force them to seek help
- They seek help for entertainment and curiosity
Ways a Sociopath can attempt to seek help
Medication that may be prescribed
- Anti-depressants
- Anti-anxiety
- Anti-aggression
- Clozaril has been used in some cases
Psychotherapy may be attempted
This would involve scenes of them talking with a therapist about their thoughts, beliefs, and feelings.
They may attempt religious help
This would involve scenes of talking to a pastor. Or attended church services. Maybe a salvation experience.
This could involve scenes talking to priests or making confessions.
They could be seen talking to a neighbor or friend they know to be religious.
Behavioral Therapy
This may involve scenes of them speaking to a professional about their behaviors, recognizing that they are negative behaviors and seeking to replace them with better behaviors.
Psychopath Versus Sociopath
What’s the difference between a Psychopath and Sociopath?
There is not much difference according to Healthline. For more detailed information on what a psychopath may be check out: 12 Thoughts on How to Write a Psychopath Vs a Sociopath
Sociopath Quiz
Consider taking a Sociopath Quiz to get more ideas for writing a Sociopath Vs Psychopath.
Use these thoughts to write a captivating Sociopath in your story. The Sociopathic character with ASPD does not inherently have to be the “bad guy” or “the villain.”
A character with ASPD could be the protagonist or the antagonist of the story.
Get creative and figure out ways to surprise readers by writing outside the box!
List of famous sociopaths
- John Gacy
- Ted Bundy
- Jeffrey MacDonald
- Jeffrey Dahmer
- Jack Henry Abbott
- Joey Buttafuoco
- Diane Downs
- Deidre Hunt
This post is in no way meant to be medical or professional advice. This is intended for the enjoyment of research and creative writing.
Hope this helps! Happy Writing!
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