What is a Sociopath?

Psychopaths and Sociopaths are sometimes referred to as having "Antisocial Personality Disorder".  Such people have little regard for the feeling and welfare of others, although they may claim that they do.

This disorder is chronic, beginning in adolescence and continues into adulthood. The Diagnostic Criteria(DSM-IV) describes a pattern beginning at around age 15 showing a disregard for and violation of the right's of others (since the age of 15), those right's considered normal by the local culture, as indicated by at least three of the following:
    A. Repeated acts that could lead to arrest.
    B. Conning for pleasure or profit, repeated lying, or the use of aliases.
    C. Failure to plan ahead or being impulsive.
    D. Repeated assaults on others.
    E. Reckless when it comes to their or others safety.
    F. Poor work behavior or failure to honor financial obligations.
    G. Rationalizing the pain they inflict on others.

If you suspect someone is a sociopath, look for these major symptoms:

• not learning from experience
• no sense of responsibility
• inability to form meaningful relationships
• inability to control impulses
• lack of moral sense
• chronically antisocial behavior
• no change in behavior after punishment
• emotional immaturity
• lack of guilt
• self-centeredness
  
  
  
  

  Links about Sociopaths:
  A comprehensive profile 
  Frequently asked questions about Sociopaths
  Wikipedia's article

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  **I am not a psychologist and have no special expertise in the subject. I am blogging about this, 'stalking', and other related topics as a public service. I urge you to consult either a clinical psychologist or the police depending on the problem you face, and wish you good luck.