You are probably wondering, how do you diagnose a psychopath? Know that there is a big difference between a psychiatric diagnosis and that of a layman. A psychiatrist would go through a full barrage of tests to make a diagnosis with a fairly high degree of accuracy.
In my practice, I reduce the layman’s diagnosis to identifying 6 characteristics of a psychopath, which increases the propensity for a misdiagnosis, but having the ability to quickly identify a potential predatory psychopath far outweighs the margin for error.
If a predatory personality of any kind is applying undue pressure on a victim, whether an official diagnosis of psychopathy is of little significance. Correctly identifying a predatory toxic personality at the earliest possible stage is of huge advantage to any person who is suffering any degree of victimization.
A psychopath will have all of these six characteristics.
The 6 Characteristics of a Psychopath
- CHARISMATIC. They easily make friends and influence people. Most people who encounter a psychopath will attest to what nice, incredible, generous, and entertaining they are. They are often the center of attention or considered the life of the party. Due to their charisma, we find ourselves laughing at their jokes, even though they are not funny.
- SMART. Psychopaths are generally remembered as being more intelligent than their peers, whether they actually are or not may yet to be proven, but they have the skills to appear to be very smart. The smarter they are, the better liars they are (which requires the ability to remember all the past details of any deception instantly).
- NO FEELINGS. Predatory psychopaths are able to victimize their prey without guilt or remorse due to not possessing the same respect and concern for other human beings, as the rest of us. This also empowers them to lie without being detected, and they are often pathological liars.
- IMPULSIVE. Psychopaths are quite impulsive and if you are able to observe them over time, you will notice them acting impulsively which will leave clues to this characteristic, and most people will begin to notice inconsistencies. Most people will overlook the inconsistencies, but if you are looking for proof of impulsivity in a predatory psychopath, you will find evidence if you look for it.
- WINNERS. Predatory psychopaths present an air about themselves that promotes the idea that they are always on top of their game. Even if you happen upon one in a negative phase in life, they will be quick to assure you of their superiority, even amidst the throes of a “bad break,” and they will never concede because their next win is right around the corner.
- NEVER WRONG. No matter what, the predatory psychopath will never admit that they are wrong. They will go on and on explaining all the (fictitious) details and circumstances that justify anything that might “look” like they may have made a misstep. They will be so insistent and create so much confusion that they could wear down even the surest accuser and you are likely to give them the benefit of the doubt, just to get them to drop their relentless defense and rationalization.
People often read through the list of characteristics and ask me if they might be a psychopath. A psychopath will not wonder if he or she is a psychopath, either he or she will admit to being a psychopath (which he or she may not be), or more likely, they will accuse you of being a psychopath. This list of six characteristics is not to determine whether you are a psychopath or not. This shortlist is for victims, to quickly determine if they may be suffering abuse, neglect, or other victimization by a predatory individual who could likely be a psychopath.
Psychiatrists rely on independent scoring on twenty characteristics which will help determine if the patient in question suffers from psychopathy. This system was derived from 40 years of criminal research conducted by Dr. Hare. Getting accurate scoring from information and disinformation which surround the life of the psychopath is problematic in making an accurate diagnosis, especially for one who is crafty enough not to leave behind a lengthy lifelong rap sheet, as criminal records are extremely helpful in making an accurate diagnosis. It could take months or years to arrive at a clinical diagnosis.
The sooner a victim or potential victim can spot a psychopath, the better. And even if they are not “officially” diagnosed with psychopathy, they are still a toxic individual, and you should take steps immediately to protect yourself regardless of any official diagnosis, they are predatory and toxic. Stop the abuse and protect yourself now.
With the introduction of the DSM-5 published May 18, 2013, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders discarded the psychopathic diagnosis in favor of adopting the Anti-social Personality Disorder spectrum which includes all previous antisocial personality disorders, such as narcissism, sociopath, and psychopaths.
More than one-third of all offenders in prison are considered predatory psychopaths. Many more have never seen the inside of the prison, even though we believe they should all be put safely behind bars, but due to their art of deception and if they are blessed with an average to high IQ, they exploit loopholes in the legal system and feel they are above the law.
There are a variety of reasons why relatively few psychopaths are in prison. One reason is that psychopathy is difficult to diagnose and there is still much to learn about the disorder. Additionally, psychopaths can be very skilled at manipulating others and avoiding detection by law enforcement.
If you are unknowingly working with a psychopath who is committing a crime, you may be unwittingly aiding in their activities. However, it’s important to remember that the responsibility for the crime ultimately lies with the psychopath who committed it, not with their unwitting accomplices.
Predatory psychopaths can be more dangerous than other psychopaths because they actively seek out and exploit their victims. They may have a pattern of behavior that involves carefully selecting and grooming victims before exploiting them for their own gain. It’s important to note, however, that not all psychopaths are predatory or violent.
While it’s true that not everyone in society is victimized by a psychopath, those who are victimized can suffer significant harm. Psychopaths are often skilled at identifying vulnerable individuals and exploiting them for their own gain. This can include emotional, financial, and physical harm.
Psychopaths are often very cunning and deceptive and may be able to avoid detection by blending in with society and hiding their true nature. They may also be skilled at manipulating others and convincing them to act in their best interests. It’s important to be aware of the signs of psychopathic behavior and to seek help if you believe you may be dealing with a psychopath. This can help you protect yourself and potentially prevent harm to others.