How to detect a psychopath, a narcissist, or an antisocial

We live among them, but they are not visible at first glance. Let’s review some of the key signs that determine if someone close has an antisocial personality disorder

We live among them, but they are not visible at first glance. Let’s go over some of the key traits that determine if someone close has an antisocial personality disorder.

Sometimes, people are not an open book but rather a tangled maze that we should avoid navigating. As we get to know someone, we notice traits of their personality that seem familiar or attractive in the best of cases. But suddenly, from one day to the next, they surprise us with something unexpected that doesn’t fit into our social coordinates.

Narcissists, who can make our lives very difficult if we allow them into our lives, which is quite easy if we are in a moment of insecurity or feeling low on energy. “Narcissistic personality disorder is when a person has an exaggerated sense of their own importance, a deep need for excessive attention and admiration, conflict-ridden relationships, and a lack of empathy for others,” reminds the Mayo Clinic. We will revisit Mayo Clinic’s work on the subject a little later.

No guilt or moral principles:

What narcissism and psychopathy have in common is that they fall under antisocial personality disorders, which arise when a person is unable to distinguish right from wrong (discarding moral principles) or ignores and disregards the rights and feelings of others. It can be the result of excessive egotism (narcissism) or the absence of empathy and a moral concept (psychopathy).

Now, how can we detect someone with these traits? Many times, they are masked by other more relaxed attitudes. For example, they tend to be natural manipulators, either directly through conscious deceit or more subtly through emotional blackmail. If someone in your close circle is constantly reproaching you, especially for things that haven’t happened yet, be cautious, as they may be trying to manipulate you using the most powerful weapon there is: emotions.

Deny the truth at all costs:

Another trait that characterizes narcissists or psychopaths is their impulsivity, which can lead to aggressive or reckless behavior. This is very dangerous, especially when they put others at unnecessary risk. And this brings us to another characteristic that is most useful for detecting a psychopath: their lack of remorse when they know for certain that their actions have caused harm. For them, the end justifies the means, so there will be no hint of guilt. Even knowing they have acted wrongly and that their attitude is blameworthy, they will do nothing to try to solve or alleviate the damage caused.

The most useful behavior when it comes to recognizing a natural manipulator is to catch them in their lies, yet they will continue denying the truth or counteracting that deceit with more lies. If you have found yourself in situations like this, it is well worth being suspicious. At first, they may have gotten away with it, but once we’ve discovered them, trust is damaged. And when we feel that everything coming out of their mouth is a lie, yet we continue to associate with them, the best thing is to cut ties as soon as possible: if they objectively keep lying and we stay, it’s because they’ve achieved their goal—getting caught in their manipulation webs so that we excuse them, even when we have the truth right in front of us.

Mayo Clinic’s description:

An Overview:

Narcissistic personality disorder is a mental health condition in which individuals have an unreasonable sense of superiority. They need and seek excessive attention and want people to admire them. People with this disorder may struggle to understand or care about the feelings of others. However, behind this mask of absolute self-confidence, they are insecure and react easily to even the slightest criticism.

Narcissistic personality disorder causes problems in many areas of life, such as relationships, work, school, or financial matters. In general, people with narcissistic personality disorder may feel unhappy and disappointed when they don’t receive special favors or admiration they believe they deserve. They may feel that their interpersonal relationships are conflict-ridden and unsatisfactory, and others may not enjoy their company.

Treatment for narcissistic personality disorder focuses on talk therapy or psychotherapy.

This disorder affects men more than women and generally begins in adolescence or early adulthood. Some children may show narcissistic traits, but this is usually typical for their age and doesn’t mean they will develop narcissistic personality disorder in the future.

Symptoms:

The symptoms of narcissistic personality disorder and their severity can vary. People with this disorder may:

• Having an unreasonable sense of superiority and constantly needing excessive admiration from others.
• Feeling that they deserve privileges and special treatment.
• Expecting their superiority to be recognized, even without having accomplished anything.
• Making their achievements and talents appear more important than they actually are.
• Being preoccupied with fantasies about success, power, brilliance, beauty, or the perfect partner.
• Believing they are better than others and that they can only spend time with people as special as they are or that only such people can understand them.
• Criticizing and belittling people they don’t consider important.
• Expecting special favors and for others to do what they want without questioning.
• Taking advantage of others to achieve what they want.
• Having an inability or unwillingness to recognize the needs and feelings of others.
• Envying others and believing they are envied by other people.
• Behaving arrogantly, boasting excessively, and being considered conceited.
• Insisting that they have the best of everything, such as the best car or the best office.

At the same time, people with narcissistic personality disorder have difficulty reacting to what they perceive as criticism. They may behave in the following ways:

• Getting impatient or angry when they don’t receive recognition or special treatment.
• Having great difficulty interacting with others and feeling easily belittled.
• Reacting with anger or disdain and treating others with contempt to give the impression of being superior.
• Having difficulty managing their emotions and behavior.
• Having great difficulty facing stressful situations and adapting to change.
• Avoiding situations in which they might fail.
• Feeling depressed and temperamental because they don’t achieve perfection.
• Harboring hidden feelings of insecurity, shame, humiliation, and fear that they will be discovered as a failure.

When to consult a doctor:

People with narcissistic personality disorder may not want to think that something is wrong with them, so they usually don’t seek treatment. If they do seek treatment, it is more likely to address symptoms of depression, substance or alcohol abuse, or another mental health issue. It may be difficult for them to accept what they perceive as insults to their self-esteem and continue with treatment.

If you recognize aspects of your personality that are common in narcissistic personality disorder, or if you feel overwhelmed by sadness, consider reaching out to a mental health professional or a trusted healthcare provider. Getting the right treatment for you can help you lead a fuller and more enjoyable life.

Causes:

The exact cause of narcissistic personality disorder is unknown. It is likely to be a complex cause. Narcissistic personality disorder may be associated with:

• The environment: Relationships between parents and children characterized by excessive adoration or excessive criticism that do not correspond with the child’s real experiences and achievements.
• Genetics: Certain inherited traits, such as specific personality characteristics.
• Neurobiology: The connection between behavior, the brain, and thought.

Risk factors:

Although the cause of narcissistic personality disorder is unknown, some researchers believe that overprotection or neglect by parents during upbringing may influence children born with a tendency to develop this disorder. Genetics and other factors may also play a role in the development of narcissistic personality disorder.

Complications:

The complications of narcissistic personality disorder, and other conditions that may accompany this disorder, include the following:

• Problems in relationships
• Problems at home and school
• Depression and anxiety
• Other personality disorders
• An eating disorder called anorexia
• Physical health problems
• Substance or alcohol abuse
• Suicidal thoughts or behaviors