SIGNS OF A SOCIOPATH
1. Recognize the signs that someone is sociopathic. Sociopaths have a personality disorder that prevents them from feeling empathy for others. Although they often seem friendly and likable, they use their charm to get people to do things for them. The following traits are common among sociopaths:
Superficial charm; everyone seems to like them.
Lack of remorse; they don't feel guilty when they've done something wrong.
Lack of empathy; they don't seem to care when someone else is hurt.
Propensity to lie; they do it casually, like it's nothing.
Incapacity for love; those closest to them realize something is missing.
Egocentricity; they light up when they're the center of attention.
Delusions of grandeur; they often perceive themselves as superior to others.
2. Understand what drives a sociopath. Sociopaths aren't driven by the desire to make the world a better place, help others or be accountable in their closest relationships. "Doing the right thing" is not a motivator for a sociopath; rather, sociopaths are motivated by having power over other people and using it to get what they want: more power, money, casual sex and so on.
Even if a sociopath takes an action that appears to be good-hearted or kind, there's usually an ulterior motive.
Sociopaths often cheat on their partners, since they don't feel guilt for doing so.
3. Realize that sociopaths are expert manipulators. They're dangerous because they're capable of making people do whatever they want.
Sociopaths use a variety of strategies to cause people in their lives to do things for them. They often pit people against each other to achieve their own ends, or have others lie for them to cover up the truth.
Sociopaths are often at the center of love triangles, or the people to break up a marriage.
In a workplace setting, they might undermine coworkers to make themselves look good in front of the boss.
In a friend circle, a sociopath might cause drama that forces people to take sides, while he or she coolly controls the entire situation.
4. Don't expect a sociopath to care about your feelings. A sociopath does not care who gets used or hurt, because sociopaths have no conscience or scruples against taking gross advantage of your kindness and goodwill. A key characteristic of a sociopath is that they can not comprehend that others have feelings or can be hurt by their actions.
Sociopaths don't change to become empathetic. No amount of "talking it through" or giving the person extra chances is going to make him or her a better person.
If you can distance yourself enough to realize it's not really about you, you'll have more power to stand up to the sociopath.
5. To deal with a sociopath, think like one. Once you recognize that someone in your life is a sociopath, you'll be able to see what drives the person and where his or her weak points are. If you try to handle the person like you would someone without a personality disorder, you'll just end up getting frustrated or pulled back into the person's drama.
When you interact with a sociopath, keep your guard up and resist the temptation to talk it out or change the person.
Remember that sociopaths aren't motivated by love, but by power, so you want to show them you won't give them power over you.
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