Relationships with sociopaths can often be characterized by a blend of intense joy and equally intense emotions of anger and pain. What starts off as an ideal, blissful connection can suddenly take a drastic turn, leaving us to feel as though we are at fault for what has transpired – yet in truth, it isn’t our doing.
Sociopaths prey upon the kindness and trust of those around them, manipulating their victims into believing that they have done something wrong even when they haven’t – all so that the sociopath can gain something out of it in the end.
But there is hope: by recognizing our rights within this toxic relationship and breaking away from its cycle of misuse, we can reclaim the happiness that was promised us in the beginning.
Sociopathy and other personality disorders may be more common than one might think, particularly in women who have just gone through childbirth – a study of maternal mental health revealed that up to 20% of new mothers may experience some form of mental health issue. Postpartum depression is also a risk for those same women.
In order to treat sociopathy, cognitive-behavioral therapy is often prescribed. This type of therapy focuses on helping the patient better understand the motives and feelings behind their behavior while strengthening the capacity to handle frustration, anger, and loneliness without acting impulsively.
This can involve family members setting limits with the patient, instead of giving in to unreasonable demands or threats. Studies suggest that this kind of therapy works well when it comes to those suffering from sociopathic personalities.
Relationships with sociopaths can be incredibly challenging and it’s important to be aware of the warning signs that you may be in one.
Here are 8 common red flags to look out for:
Frequently lies or exhibits a disregard for truthfulness
People with sociopathic tendencies may often exhibit a disregard for truth and have little regard for honesty. Lies are, in many cases, their primary modus operandi as they try to manipulate and control their victims. When confronted with lies, it’s important to call out the person on their behavior and hold them accountable for their words.
Extremely unreliable and incapable of honoring commitments or obligations
Sociopaths may be unreliable, never holding onto commitments or honoring any obligations they make to others. They often use their charm and charisma to bypass their irresponsibility, leaving the other person feeling deceived and betrayed. It’s important to take some time to evaluate the situation if you feel like you can’t trust someone anymore.
Erratic behavior that ranges from inappropriate to extreme impulsivity
Sociopaths may display erratic behavior ranging from inappropriate to extreme impulsivity. They can be overly confident and quick to anger, often without regard for the consequences of their actions. Their lack of empathy makes it difficult for them to consider or understand the feelings of those around them. They are often narcissistic and will manipulate situations in order to ensure that everyone is paying attention to them.
Quick to manipulate, charm, and take advantage of others
Sociopaths are often quick to manipulate, charm, and take advantage of others. They may use guilt or fear as tools to gain control of the situation. They are also known to be highly skilled in lying and deception, capable of making false promises to get what they want. They can be initially charismatic and attractive, yet their underlying behavior is almost always selfish and ruthless. It’s important to be aware of the signs and protect yourself from those who have this type of personality disorder.
Easily bored, prone to switching topics without many transitions
Sociopaths are easily bored and tend to switch topics without many transitions. They can come off as scatterbrained or unfocused, often veering off in different directions with little regard for the original conversation. They will also talk over others and rarely take the time to listen to the opinions of those around them. Despite this, they are often able to mask these traits well enough to remain charming. People should watch for signs of insincerity or an inability to stay on topic, as it may be a sign of a sociopathic personality.
Generally has difficulty controlling temper and displaying appropriate emotions
Sociopaths generally have difficulty controlling their temper and displaying appropriate emotions. They may become angry or dismissive quickly, often blaming others for their own emotions. At the same time, they are rarely capable of showing real empathy or compassion for those around them. As a result, it can be hard to develop a meaningful connection with someone who has this disorder as they lack the capacity for true emotional understanding. It’s important to keep an eye out for signs of aggression or detachment in order to protect yourself from someone with this personality disorder.
Inclined to blame victims rather than accept responsibility for their own actions
Sociopaths are often inclined to blame the victims rather than accept responsibility for their own actions. They may be quick to shift the blame onto someone else, even in situations where they were clearly at fault. This is because they lack empathy and can’t understand the consequences of their behavior, or don’t care about them. It’s important to watch out for this behavior so that people can learn how to respond appropriately and protect themselves from those with this type of personality disorder.
Evades direct questions or deflects conversation when confronted with uncomfortable topics
Sociopaths often evade direct questions or deflect the conversation when confronted with uncomfortable topics. They may try to change the subject, give a partial answer, or simply remain silent. This is because they are not comfortable with intense emotions and can’t deal with them in an appropriate manner. It’s important to recognize this kind of behavior and be aware of it, as it could lead to manipulative or dangerous situations if left unchecked.
