Anyone Want A Better Idea If They Are Dealing With A Psychopath?

[theBrokenMuse]

A lot of people complain that their ex or soon to be ex is a raging nutter so for your amusement (or perhaps it's just the vodka kicking in) I have the standard checklist that is currently used to determine sociopathic and psychopathic personalities. With each characteristic you give a "0" for no, a "1" for sometimes and a "2" for a dead ringer. Between 30 - 40 is a psychopath however if you hit forty you might want to reassess because only a handful of people have ever scored that high, even in prisons. Enjoy!

 

 

1. GLIB and SUPERFICIAL CHARM -- the tendency to be smooth, engaging, charming, slick, and verbally facile. Psychopathic charm is not in the least shy, self-conscious, or afraid to say anything. A psychopath never gets tongue-tied. They have freed themselves from the social conventions about taking turns in talking, for example.

 

2. GRANDIOSE SELF-WORTH -- a grossly inflated view of one's abilities and self-worth, self-assured, opinionated, cocky, a braggart. Psychopaths are arrogant people who believe they are superior human beings.

 

3. NEED FOR STIMULATION or PRONENESS TO BOREDOM -- an excessive need for novel, thrilling, and exciting stimulation; taking chances and doing things that are risky. Psychopaths often have a low self-discipline in carrying tasks through to completion because they get bored easily. They fail to work at the same job for any length of time, for example, or to finish tasks that they consider dull or routine.

 

4. PATHOLOGICAL LYING -- can be moderate or high; in moderate form, they will be shrewd, crafty, cunning, sly, and clever; in extreme form, they will be deceptive, deceitful, underhanded, unscrupulous, manipulative, and dishonest.

 

5. CONNING AND MANIPULATIVENESS- the use of deceit and deception to cheat, con, or defraud others for personal gain; distinguished from Item #4 in the degree to which exploitation and callous ruthlessness is present, as reflected in a lack of concern for the feelings and suffering of one's victims.

 

6. LACK OF REMORSE OR GUILT -- a lack of feelings or concern for the losses, pain, and suffering of victims; a tendency to be unconcerned, dispassionate, coldhearted, and unempathic. This item is usually demonstrated by a disdain for one's victims.

 

7. SHALLOW AFFECT -- emotional poverty or a limited range or depth of feelings; interpersonal coldness in spite of signs of open gregariousness.

 

8. CALLOUSNESS and LACK OF EMPATHY -- a lack of feelings toward people in general; cold, contemptuous, inconsiderate, and tactless.

 

9. PARASITIC LIFESTYLE -- an intentional, manipulative, selfish, and exploitative financial dependence on others as reflected in a lack of motivation, low self-discipline, and inability to begin or complete responsibilities.

 

10. POOR BEHAVIORAL CONTROLS -- expressions of irritability, annoyance, impatience, threats, aggression, and verbal abuse; inadequate control of anger and temper; acting hastily.

 

11. PROMISCUOUS SEXUAL BEHAVIOR -- a variety of brief, superficial relations, numerous affairs, and an indiscriminate selection of sexual partners; the maintenance of several relationships at the same time; a history of attempts to sexually coerce others into sexual activity or taking great pride at discussing sexual exploits or conquests.

 

12. EARLY BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS -- a variety of behaviors prior to age 13, including lying, theft, cheating, vandalism, bullying, sexual activity, fire-setting, glue-sniffing, alcohol use, and running away from home.

 

13. LACK OF REALISTIC, LONG-TERM GOALS -- an inability or persistent failure to develop and execute long-term plans and goals; a nomadic existence, aimless, lacking direction in life.

 

14. IMPULSIVITY -- the occurrence of behaviors that are unpremeditated and lack reflection or planning; inability to resist temptation, frustrations, and urges; a lack of deliberation without considering the consequences; foolhardy, rash, unpredictable, erratic, and reckless.

 

15. IRRESPONSIBILITY -- repeated failure to fulfill or honor obligations and commitments; such as not paying bills, defaulting on loans, performing sloppy work, being absent or late to work, failing to honor contractual agreements.

 

16. FAILURE TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR OWN ACTIONS -- a failure to accept responsibility for one's actions reflected in low conscientiousness, an absence of dutifulness, antagonistic manipulation, denial of responsibility, and an effort to manipulate others through this denial.

 

17. MANY SHORT-TERM MARITAL RELATIONSHIPS -- a lack of commitment to a long-term relationship reflected in inconsistent, undependable, and unreliable commitments in life, including marital.

 

18. JUVENILE DELINQUENCY -- behavior problems between the ages of 13-18; mostly behaviors that are crimes or clearly involve aspects of antagonism, exploitation, aggression, manipulation, or a callous, ruthless tough-mindedness.

 

19. REVOCATION OF CONDITION RELEASE -- a revocation of probation or other conditional release due to technical violations, such as carelessness, low deliberation, or failing to appear.

 

20. CRIMINAL VERSATILITY -- a diversity of types of criminal offenses, regardless if the person has been arrested or convicted for them; taking great pride at getting away with crimes.

[sugarmomma]

Yup! That just about describes his crazy azz. Thanks!!

[CBIIS1]

Ouch, she qualifies for a few of these. Its funny what you see when you're apart from your WAW for a little while. I can't believe I fell for that nut. The kids and I are the only two who see her for what she really is, sadly.

[nobmagnet]

yet i found this out about Lowlyworm. It helped me understand there was no way I either wanted/or desired him in my life anymore.

 

It kinda made me sad that i got sucked in but I wasnt the only one.

 

ta x

[HappyAgain]

I don't know if my ex qualifies for the psychopath/sociopath title but he is a narcissist and they can share a lot of the same personality problems as you have listed.

 

I can easily say yes to 15 of the points listed.

 

For example, what man chases after an 18 year-old while his wife is being treated for Stage IIIC cancer? Or, what kind of man, tells his wife that her having a breakdown is HER problem and not his? Or, what kind of man lies to his wife that he wants to have children only so that she stays with him and pays his way for an education? And, then wants to leave the marriage a month after he finds a job after completing that education? Or, what kind of man comes to his wife's place of employment at 10:30am to tell her that he was fired from his job because his boss caught him having sex with a fellow co-worker? And then begs her not to leave him and starts up with another woman shortly thereafter? And throughout this he was never sorry for having done any of it.

 

The depression I had suffered with that man definitely makes me question if he is a sociopath as well as a narcissist. I know that I shouldn't have stayed with him but I was so depressed for so many years that I just stopped caring about myself.

 

Oh, and let's not forget the charm - everyone thinks he's the best guy ever. If I were to ever tell any of this to his family or friends (I don't care to) I doubt they'd believe me - nobody wants to see the monster amongst them.

 

At least now, he's someone else's problem and not mine!

Edited January 4, 2010 by HappyAgain