Many people use “psychopath” and “sociopath” to mean the same thing. But the two words are not the same.
The word “sociopath” is not a real label that doctors use. This article shows how these words differ.
We also look at how they tie in with antisocial personality disorder (ASPD). And we look at how hard times in life can shape how a person acts.
What Is Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD)?
ASPD is the only real term of the three. It is the only one doctors use. It means a long habit of running over the rights of other people (American Psychiatric Association, 2022).
People with ASPD often show some clear signs. These signs come up again and again.
- Quick anger and a short fuse
- Rash acts with no thought first
- Lies told on a regular basis
- Reckless acts that hurt them or hurt other people
Doctors give this label to adults. But the signs must start by the age of 15.
Psychopathy vs Sociopathy: What’s the Difference?
These two terms are not real labels that doctors use. Still, they point to two clear ways of acting.
Psychopathy: The Ice-Cold Calculators
There is a checklist that experts use to measure this trait. It looks for charm, for the use of other people, and for no sense of guilt (Hare & Neumann, 2008).
Here are the main signs.
- Few real feelings. They find it hard to care how others feel.
- Use of others. They use people and do not feel bad.
- A focus on the now. They act to get a fast reward.
People with ASPD may show open anger. But this group often does not. Some fit into normal life with ease.
Some even rise to jobs with great power. They tend to get there by charm and by the use of other people.
Sociopathy: The Broken Rule-Breakers
The word “sociopathy” is a loose term for the same kind of acts. But this group keeps their feelings in check far less well (Hare & Neumann, 2008).
Here are the main signs.
- Big feelings. They may feel anger or envy in a strong way.
- Acts you cannot guess. Their choices can seem to come out of nowhere.
- A hard time fitting in. They find it harder to act like the rest of us.
This group tends to act on the spur of the moment. They may not plan their acts with care. So the harm they do can be easy to see.
How Trauma Influences Antisocial Behaviors
Hard times can shape how a person acts. This is true most of all when the hard times come again and again. Here are two ways this can play out.
- Long-term trauma can hurt your feelings and your bonds with others (World Health Organization, 2019).
- A rough childhood raises the odds of these acts later on (Felitti et al., 1998).
Not all who go through trauma end up this way. And help can still bring change. Healing tends to come in three steps.
1. First you find safety. 2. Then you look back and grieve. 3. Last you build new bonds (Herman, 1992).
Can Psychopathy or Sociopathy Be Treated?
ASPD is hard to treat. The low level of care for others gets in the way. Even so, some forms of help can work.
- Talk therapy and EMDR can help those with long-term PTSD (Bisson et al., 2013).
- A skill-based therapy called DBT can cut self-harm in some cases (Linehan et al., 2006).
Psychopathy does not respond well to help. The roots of it run too deep.
Key Takeaways
1. Only ASPD is a real label. The other two words are loose terms. 2. One group feels little. The other group feels a lot. 3. Hard times can shape these acts. But change is still in reach with help.
FAQs
Is a psychopath or sociopath born that way?
We do not know for sure. Both your genes and your life play a part (Felitti et al., 1998).
Can someone with ASPD change?
Change is hard. But it can be done. A therapy like DBT can help keep the signs in check (Linehan et al., 2006).
Why do people confuse psychopathy and sociopathy?
Films and TV shows get these words wrong a lot. So the two start to seem like one.
If you need support
This article is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not medical, psychiatric, or therapeutic advice, and it is not a diagnosis. If you are struggling, reaching out to a qualified professional is a sign of strength, and you deserve help without judgment.
If you are in crisis or may be in danger, please reach out now. In the United States, you can call or text 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, or call 1-800-799-7233 for the National Domestic Violence Hotline. Elsewhere, Befrienders Worldwide (befrienders.org) can connect you to a helpline in your country.
References
- American Psychiatric Association. (2022). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed., text rev.).
- Bisson, J. I., Roberts, N. P., Andrew, M., Cooper, R., & Lewis, C. (2013). Psychological therapies for chronic post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in adults. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (12), CD003388.
- Felitti, V. J., Anda, R. F., Nordenberg, D., Williamson, D. F., Spitz, A. M., Edwards, V., Koss, M. P., & Marks, J. S. (1998). Relationship of childhood abuse and household dysfunction to many of the leading causes of death in adults: The Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Study. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 14(4), 245-258.
- Hare, R. D., & Neumann, C. S. (2008). Psychopathy as a clinical and empirical construct. Annual Review of Clinical Psychology, 4, 217-246.
- Herman, J. L. (1992). Trauma and recovery. Basic Books.
- Linehan, M. M., Comtois, K. A., Murray, A. M., Brown, M. Z., Gallop, R. J., Heard, H. L., ... & Lindenboim, N. (2006). Two-year randomized controlled trial and follow-up of dialectical behavior therapy vs. therapy by experts for suicidal behaviors and borderline personality disorder. Archives of General Psychiatry, 63(7), 757-766.
- World Health Organization. (2019). International classification of diseases (11th rev.), 6B41 Complex post-traumatic stress disorder.
This article is for informational and educational purposes only. It does not offer financial, legal, tax, medical, or professional advice. Your results may differ.