What if your predatory psychopath is a family member? At least it should be no surprise. Predatory psychopaths are wired the way they are due to either being born that way (nature) or have become the predatory psychopath via experience (nurture). The first to know, but are afraid of the diagnosis, are the parents, and brothers and sisters.
The psychopathic family members that you may run into and discover by surprise, will be in-laws and more distant relatives, like cousins, uncles, nieces, and nephews.
Parents know when they have a child who is not right. If you have more than one child, it is easy for a parent to know which one has psychopathic tendencies very early in life. Granted, two-year-olds have a tendency to express themselves in an extreme assertion of self, but they grow out of it because they find that it does not serve them well. They do not achieve the rewards they seek, so they fall into a sense of being that is complimentary to society.
Young psychopaths, on the other hand, dig themselves in and find new ways to assert themselves at the expense of, and without regard for, anyone else who dares get in their way.
If you have an undiagnosed psychopath sibling, chances are, you already know; only you might not be able to admit it.
And what if it is a new family member that is just now emerging on your radar who might be a predatory psychopath?
He or she might be an in-law (outlaw), adopted, or the romantic interest of a family member.
And what about psychopathic parents? If you were raised by parents who were psychopaths? There is a good chance you didn’t (or don’t) even know. You might have an idea that they seem to be different than other parents, but since you were raised in that environment, it all seems very “normal” to you.
After you are all grown up, and you have a better understanding of how things are and how they should be, you are more aware and can see that you may have one or more parents who could be psychopathic, or at the very least, toxic.
Now that you are an adult, you can effectively ascertain whether a family member is toxic, and/or potentially a psychopath. I often state that an official diagnosis of psychopathy is not necessary for you to start taking action.
If any family member is mistreating you and has the 6 characteristics of a psychopath (i.e., charismatic, smart, no feelings, impulsive, winners, and never wrong), it doesn’t matter if he or she is correctly diagnosed as a “psychopath.” You know, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that this family member is not good for you, and prolonged exposure to him or her will cost you, emotionally, physically, and potentially financially as well.
If someone in your life is disrespecting you, exploiting you, or causing you emotional stress and deterioration, he or she is toxic, and you must take action to protect yourself so that you do not experience greater deterioration or loss. This is your sacred duty to yourself, to protect yourself from predators in the best way that you can, even if the offenders are family members.
If you suspect that a family member is a psychopath, it can be a difficult situation to navigate. Psychopathy is a personality disorder characterized by a lack of empathy, manipulative behavior, and a disregard for the well-being of others. If left unchecked, a psychopath can cause harm to others, both physically and emotionally.
If you are a family member, the first step is to educate yourself about psychopathy and its symptoms. You can then try to talk to your family member about your concerns, but it’s important to approach the conversation in a non-confrontational way. Be prepared for the possibility that your family member may not be receptive to the idea that they have a problem.
If you are concerned about the safety of yourself or others, you may need to take more drastic action. You can contact a mental health professional or a crisis hotline for advice on how to proceed. In some cases, it may be necessary to involve law enforcement or seek a restraining order to protect yourself and others.
If you are not a family member but are concerned about a person you suspect may be a psychopath, you can encourage them to seek professional help. However, it’s important to remember that you cannot force someone to seek help if they do not want it. If you believe that the person poses a danger to themselves or others, you can contact law enforcement or a mental health professional for assistance.