Here is an adapted version of the Hare Psychopathy Checklist, which can help you find out that someone you know might be a psychopath.

The term ‘psychopath’ was first coined in the late 1800s, and comes from the Greek psykhe and pathos, which mean ‘sick mind’ or ‘suffering soul.’

In those days, psychopathy was considered to be a sort of moral insanity, but of course, nowadays, we know better.

However, are we right to think of psychopaths as lone killers, devoid of humanity, preying on the vulnerable, who find it hard to mix with society? The truth is that you could have one as a friend, boss or even a partner. Psychopaths live among us and manage to blend into society, but you can spot them if you look hard enough.

First, you have to change the way you think about people and how we operate as human beings. It is normal to believe that everyone else on the planet is like us, in that, they think like us, feel the same emotions like us, and understand pain and loss as we do. It is important to understand that for a few percentages of the population, this is not true. These are people that do not have empathy or remorse, cannot feel emotion, whose only goal is to take advantage of others.

These are the psychopaths, and as with any mental disorder, there are characteristics that define it. The most common way of detecting whether a person is a psychopath is by using The Hare Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R), which is a diagnostic tool, set to determine if someone is on the psychopathy spectrum.

To score the test, participants read a series of statements that describe certain traits and rate them accordingly.

0 = does not apply, 1 = applies somewhat, 2 = definitely applies.

The highest score anyone can achieve is 40. In the US, if someone rates over 30 in the test, they are considered to be psychopathic, but in the UK, it is only over 25.

Here are the 20 traits on the Hare Psychopathy Checklist

  1. Do you sense you are someone extremely important?
  2. Would you say you need constant stimulation?
  3. Do you find pleasure in manipulating people?
  4. Would you lie in order to get your own way?
  5. Do you never say sorry?
  6. Are you known to be charming and persuasive?
  7. Would you agree you show little emotion?
  8. Are you incapable of feeling empathy for others?
  9. Are you in and out of relationships all the time?
  10. Do you have a promiscuous sex life?
  11. Are you impulsive and live for the moment?
  12. Are you known for behaving irresponsibly?
  13. Do you fail to accept responsibility for your actions?
  14. Is it right to get as much as you can from other people?
  15. Is it hard to control your behaviour?
  16. Did you display early behaviour problems?
  17. Do you lack long-term goals?
  18. Do you have a history of juvenile delinquency?
  19. Have you ever had your parole or bail revoked?
  20. Are you known for committing many different criminal acts?

The Hare Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R) categorizes these traits into four factors: interpersonal, emotional, lifestyle and antisocial.

INTERPERSONAL TRAITS OF A PSYCHOPATH

The most common trait of a psychopath is their pathological lying. This is so that they can cover up their behaviour and get their own way.

Psychopaths use glibness and superficial charm to get you hooked in the first place. Once they have you under their spell, you are more likely to be willing to help them.

You’ll find many psychopaths in positions of great power and authority, this is due to their enormous sense of self-worth.

It is their manipulative behaviour that probably got them into these positions in the first place.

EMOTIONAL CHARACTERISTICS OF A PSYCHOPATH

The most emotional characteristic is a complete lack of remorse or guilt. This could explain why psychopathic killers get away with their crimes as they simply do not care.

Some psychopaths may feel shallow emotions, in that they might feel sorry that their victim is dead because it no longer holds any pleasure for them.

More often a psychopath will be callous and show a distinct lack of empathy towards their victims. Failure to accept responsibility for their own acts is another common trait for a psychopath.

LIFESTYLE PSYCHOPATHIC TRAITS

You can also see psychopathic traits in the lifestyles of psychopaths. A common trait is a parasitic way they will feed off other people to sustain their lifestyle.

Psychopaths also have a need for stimulation which might lead them to behave with impulsivity and acting in an irresponsible way. Typically, a psychopath will have no realistic, long-term goals, instead preferring to live in the moment.

ANTISOCIAL TRAITS OF PSYCHOPATHS

Despite many psychopaths holding down impressive jobs, they do not have good social skills. They find it hard to control their behaviour in public which could lead to a revoking of their parole.

Psychopaths are known to be particularly versatile in many areas of different crimes. This makes it difficult to catch them.

Diagnosing a psychopath

Even if you have the Hare Psychopathy Checklist in your arsenal, diagnosing someone in your life who you think is a psychopath is a very serious step. It has implications either way, whether you are right or wrong. It is better to leave any diagnosing to the professionals who are trained to spot the subtle signs of psychopathy, something that non-professionals might easily miss.

References:

  1. https://www.psychologytoday.com
  2. https://medlineplus.gov

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This Post Has 72 Comments

  1. Julie

    This is very incorrect, to state that psychopaths do not have good social skills, maybe if there was a low IQ.

    But the worse kind of Psychopath, are that cunning & manipulative that they have everyone around them completely fooled, into thinking they are something they are not generally a perfect person.

    They have excellent social skills & have a different mask for each & every person in their life.

    They usually have many at times hundreds of loyal family & friends whom believe their lies & masks & are more than willing to defend them & even antognise their chosen victim.

    1. orvil tootenbacher

      Hey there Julie… i’m a psychopath, and baby girl, sounds like you know an awful LOT ALL about psychopathy; one could say you’re “all in” .. are you’re speaking in allegory? you sound pre-occupied with the subject; you are either “one of us” or you’ve been singled out. remember something (if you want advice from a psychopath) you need to remember; we are emotional and occasionally physical predators (in one way, shape, or form). I’d seek out new life patterns which may reduce your suceptibility to coercion. become semi-cynical, and you’ll be the safer for it. hope you heed my advice, from your local friendly psychopath. xoxo

      1. Juzo

        Orvill are you for real

    2. Tina Rochon

      I agree with Julie. Because of my families recent encounter with a woman who has all the ear marks of a psychopath even to the point of wearing sunglasses when it is cloudy outside. She manipulated her way into our family. I was singled out. Yes, I was at one time one of her (flying monkeys.) Ignored warnings from others because I like to give people the benefit of the doubt. She had been grooming me for sometime. Not only gained my trust but that of my husband, as well. Trusted her to stay in our home and watch our pet and take of our personnel business.. Worst mistake of our lives. Our pets where abused. Our small dogs left in their crate for 24 hours straight. No water and no food. Our Persian cat had its whiskers cut. Unbelievable!!!! What cruelty!!!!
      She used our home as a storage unit. Took her over 12 hours to clear out all of her crap from our home. She had been in every inch of our home. When she removed her things from our home she stole from us. Said she would bring it back ASAP. Yeah right!!! Been over two months and never returned a thing. Her goal is to ruin our reputation as she has been slandering about me to our mutual friends. I am 57 years old and never experienced anything like this in my life. Lessoned learned I no longer trust people and very skeptical. Sad way to be but I can not help it. Everything you said Oval is all correct, as well. She is a professional chameleon. Now we have to shampoo our carpets, she damaged our walls and cost us money and our sanity.

    3. Sean

      I have a few very simplistic comments, the first being the ideal that psychopaths lack emotion, that is incorrect they do however lack concern for the average morals of society, but in response to this is the idea that people always need a scapegoat, someone to blame, a “bad guy”, and psychopaths just tend to have their overview changed and then they’re thrown under the bus.

    4. Lisa

      I fully agree with your assessment of the psychopath . My ex is a psychopath, which took me over 15 years to “diagnose’ despite the fact that I have a clinical understanding ( as a nurse) of how to approach arriving at a diagnosis, by paying attention to the symptoms, and then through process of elimination of ruling out this possibility or that possibility . But it was particularly difficult with him because he is highly intelligent, He is a scientist; an astro-physicist, and professor, But because of that, he was even better at manipulation, deception and the rest of the toxic behaviors so typical of psychopaths. Also of note, going to one counselor , one psychiatrist, one psychologist after the next, and each one pandered to him because of his professional stature (PhD, scientist, etc), so he was given a free pass on most everything. So they actually helped enable him! And 15 years of sheer frustration for me. He was brutally abusive emotionally, psychologically, mentally. Bottom line, Julie is absolutely correct in pointing out that degree and skill in manipulation, appears to be directly correlated to ones level of intelligence. And THAT makes for a VERY deadly toxic cocktail for the person trying to live with and cope with .

  2. unkwoun

    i had fought really hard with a phycopath and sent him out of area is there chances of him to harm the victim now also and how to prevent that

    1. Unknown

      Kwown
      Thanks

    2. B

      No there is no chance of him harming u. He dosent want to harm u.

      1. S

        Really depends if he thinks revenge is worth the trouble.

        1. Unknown

          If he wanted revenge, He probably had many chances to do so… maybe he is not wat is thought of him.

    3. Tina

      I can understand why you would be afraid of this. The woman we encountered had us scared to death. She made the commented how her sister killed her mom. Her attitude about death was, “Oh well people die.” Her ex-husband died and one of her good friends we found dead. Yes, these people are not to be trusted on so many levels.

      1. robert bush

        hey im am a full scale phycopath iv been diagnosed with it however som of us should not be trusted im not going to lie about that we all can tell verry convinceing lies thats part of the reason we do it i could litteraly mak a storry that someone has told you about someone you know that you also know would never do the thing the said they did and i could flip it around and litterally mak you full fledge believe in every word that comes out of my mouth however most of the time we have the abbility to tell the truth and we do but its up to the person we tell a lie or the truth to figure out witch is being told we can be trusted it just depends on if the pesron can read us or not however not very manny can

        1. Rrambling

          So..full-scale psychopath…just how many people have you murdered, because the voices in your head commanded you to do so, that is, after all, what a full-scale psychopath is….and…in what way do the stupidly obviously intentionally misspelled words aid in convincing us you are a psychopath – given that statistically MOST psychopaths are highly intelligent if not brilliant? Ooops…why lie about such a thing? Do not get it….get a life, or hey, full-scale psychopath – take a life?

  3. Jacob

    When I was growing up, i held true to the MacDonald triad, that being a list of three traits shared by 95% of all serial killers. I wet the bed far into my early teens, I loved to play with fire and burnt myself a few times doing it, and I felt it was completely normal to abuse/kill animals. I was a pathological liar, emotionally manipulative and controlling, but well spoken. I was a true sociopath on the verge of turning psychopath, as I regularly fantasized and meditated killing everyone, that including myself. I viewed living things as objects which I could and should manipulate, and if they caused me problems they were merely obstacles.

    But I accidentally stumbled upon a cure for (at least) my own socio/psychopathism around the age of 14. I first introduced myself to natural psycho-stimulants, initially weed, and then psilocybin mushrooms. I then discovered atheism, which exposed me to intellectual standards, skepticism, and introspective psycho-analyzation, which caused me to run my behavior through a series of tests in order to recognize self-destructive behavior. This stimulation of my conscious intellect led to the developing of an internal therapist, which actively searched for predictable behavior and wisdom, which consoled and subdued my mentally unhealthy subconscious. I effectively seperated my conscious and subconscious minds from one another, with the longterm goal of consciously controlling all of my behavior, or taking control of my behavior from my subconscious. Because of this, my life took a 180 degree shift, as I’m now a self-made philosopher with a deepened appreciation for science and wisdom. I’m morally focused, I repurposed my manipulative skills to analyze and educate the people around me, and I’ve become an excellent problem solver. I went from wanting to act out emotional impulses and kill everyone to consciously controlling my behavior and loving all living things.

    Weed, shrooms, and atheism literally made me a better person.

    1. Ricky

      Very interesting. Something similar happened to me. After all these decades I haven’t killed anybody. At least not yet.

    2. Celeste

      I am interested, Jacob, if you know or have theories about why you became “sociopathic.” Nature or nurture? I suspect it’s most often both. In my own case, I lacked empathy for humans, not animals. This is at least partly because I was much abused by humans, including my own parents. I went through a period of fantasizing a lot about hurting people — and I’m female. But I also think I inherited some potentially sociopathic genes, from my father, who was the main source of my angst and fury. I’ve had to do some pretty serious reparenting of myself, and I’m glad to say I too mostly love people these days. I’m not sure if my situation describes true sociopathy or not. There were many times in my life, though, where I lacked empathy, and didn’t care about people’s feelings as I should have, because no one had ever cared about mine; I was clueless that way. I do suspect that most of us have some sociopathic tendencies though, and that empathy can be learned (by some, not all).

      1. Unknown

        So what should I do if I am a natural born Psychopath? I have impulsiveness and I’m at the moment masking my “true self”.

    3. Rrambling

      All sounds like God to me….give credit where credit is due…atheism has nothing to do with self-analysis, introspection or, oh my God, anything to do with social scale behavior and responding to comparative norms. Everything you describe can be biblically lateraled by scripture…Do Unto Others…don’t lie, don’t steal, don’t kill…sound familiar. Next thing you’ll be giving Buddha the credit for your 180 degree self-healed, turn around. Anything or anyone BUT God – sounds to me like you got a little LIGHT shined on some things related to compassion and tolerance toward humanity and your place in it – congratulations! However you got there – keep going. Stay strong and don’t be afraid to actually seek the Light for fear of the judgement you feel certain you will find there should you stand before and be seen by the Light for who you truly are or are becoming – no mask can hide your face from this Light and you know and fear that. in as much as whatever constitutes fear in you, but…what and who you find in the Light are what you come from. If it did NOT exist in the Creator – it cannot exist in you…no matter the toxic twists and menacing urges – at the core of it all IS something the LIGHT can see and recognize in itself. As a result – true understanding, “healing” as such, and a hope for better can ALL be found, embraced, used as power to seek understanding of the “whys” in your life, and then…get you to where you need to be to see – to see in the current comfortable blind darkness from which you currently view humanity, what needs adjusting, fixing, getting rid of, embracing or avenging to fill the empty spaces in you today that cry to be filled with pain, violence and the suffering of others. Just sayin…evil does not separate you from good…it comes from good gone wrong….but good, good was there first….and no matter the depths of the darkness, no dark can remain once the light is shined upon it…now that simple fact of physics should give us all hope for all who suffer from and can see in themselves something dangerous growing in and gaining urgency in our darkest human places.

  4. Steve

    I agree with the people who have developed awareness and chosen conciously another way I identify with a lot of these traits and was also abused greatly as a child I am sure I would have gone on to murder and all sorts of other crime were it not for Jesus and becoming a Christian not a very good one but a much better person than I would have been I still struggle to feel love but I am growing slowly and haven’t killed anyone so far

  5. Joy

    My Ex fits all those traits,I was drawn in so fast,he lacked empathy, moved into my place unannounced,lied straight away and still does.. He always went on about being a bad boy and spending long stretches in prison. He never could hold a job down,lived with other women and always abused them.He has no preference only they be younger than he.
    I was never allowed to see his place,but I managed to see it and I found that he is a hoarder,even though he bragged about all this money he has accumulated.
    His looks faded long ago and he hates and calls any males that have their own homes,businesses or looks after themselves
    In the spotlight or not.
    There are many things we would class as normal, but he has never done half of it in his life, he can’t start a conversation or hold one because his mind is a blank about many subjects. To him every one is a know all and won’t want you to have everything anything to do with them.He had me believe he had bowl cancer,also present me with an empty jewellery box that should have had an engagement ring.
    He made me get rid of my dog,which still haunts me to this day,i got another one, but he was physicaly cruel to her. He could never do a hobby,read,or commit to anything regarding a project. A big house and car and holidays was always on the horizon but had an excuse when left to plan things. He would watch and try to control me,because we lived in the same block and he was my neighbour for many years.I had to move away,it was so mentally damaging.
    After 10 years in my beautiful home,I had to leave because of a psychopath next door.

    1. Carol Mattice

      Joy, is it possible that we could talk one on one…

      1. Dorcus

        Hi,I recently discovered that my boyfriend pf 5 years is a psychopath..will gladly email you my story if u are interested in the topic

        1. Anira

          Hey, I’d love to hear more about that!

    2. Jackie

      I am sorry that this happened to you. I have a similar situation but it’s much worse as I married him. In the past 8 years I’ve gone from being set for life to being homeless. My husband is now in prison and I am living in a cabin that his parents bought for him but kept in their name so I wouldn’t have a chance to take it, in the event of a divorce.. what’s worse yet is that his mother is also a psychopath and helps him to accomplish almost every evil thought that he has. They both lie for each other and it’s been a nightmare. I have nothing but social security now and I’m stuck here, disabled and a burden to my kids who rightfully should hate me for being with him for so long… I know I have severe PTSD from the past 8 years of my ice with him. I go to mental health appointments but the things I tell my counselor are so outlandish, I don’t think she believes me. I wonder every day how he could even think of most of the things he’s done to me and my kids and regret ever meeting him. I am mentally stuck in my head. He has stolen or destroyed everything I have ever worked for or that I care about my mothers wedding rings which I used to be married to him for example, I know he pawned them and so does his mother.. she continuously shows me the new rings that my father in law bought for her. One Christmas Eve, he and his brother were fighting in my yard because my husband was saying that their mother was a child molester. I have also stayed at their house with my husband after a party and have heard my father in law fighting with her and saying that she has molested him as a child. He is 40, in prison, and blames everyone but himself and so does she. I have no way to escape I’m financially trapped here and scared of what they’ll do next. In 2011 he burnt my house down because I told him I was in my way home to nj and leaving him. He has slashed my tires, cheated on me 100’s of times and done cruel things to my kids like putting powdered kool aide in my sons gas tank of his motorcycle and stolen their belongings and sold them. Honestly, I couldn’t make up most of the stuff he’s done to me so I don’t blame my counselor if she doesn’t believe me. His mother now helps him communicate with other women while he’s in jail and makes friends with women he’s cheated on me with and has them to her house for coffee or invites them out with her. She steals things from my home like new clothes I get or even letters he sends me from jail. I’m so lost in this world because of this toxic relationship I have no idea how to escape. Thank god you got away❣️ I would love to be out of here before he gets out of prison even if I have to wait until spring and leave with my dogs and a tent. I think he could be out by next August. I’m scared everyday and I have turned into someone I don’t even know anymore. I can’t live like this anymore 😭

    3. robert bush

      m,am i would appreiciate if you did not say all phycopaths are that we are still people just like anny one else we just have an emotional block that gives us the abillity to not have any emotion and to do stuff you normals would never have the balls to do

  6. DocB

    I appreciate all the comments, especially the ones from the self-described “psychopaths”, although I doubt their sincerity. (Note – I did not say they were lying, I just said I doubted their sincerity.) The reason for the doubt is that I’m raising a psychopath, and I am well aware that the more serious the psychopathy, the more elaborate the lies. I have been extremely close to my 15 year old son, even calling him my best friend. Over the last year and one half, ALL of the traits of psychopathy have emerged full-fledged in him. The lack of remorse is the most startling, even chilling aspect. He truly gets a perverse thrill in suckering in family and friends to feel pity for him and profess their love for him at the EXACT SAME TIME that he is stealing from them, threatening another child, or committing some other felony that all of his counselors and family have worked hard to explain are ill-advised. At this point, we can be pretty sure that if he comes to a counselling session and announces that he will no longer lie, or threaten smaller children, or steal from family and friends, he is most definitely doing one or more of those things in a much more severe fashion that very same day. That’s his pattern. He waits for the support from everyone saying how proud they are of his decision, and then IMMEDIATELY, and I mean immediately, elevates his actions in an aggressive and sometimes violent way. This clearly gives him a thrill to see the subsequent horror and disbelief in the faces of the same caregivers. I dare say it borders on evil. Indeed, like most psychopaths, after initially vociferously denying his actions, and even breaking down crying and asking how we could doubt his words if we truly love him and believe in him, he eventually admits the whole thing after we stop even trying to believe his words and then states that he has no idea why he does it, only that it gives him pleasure. Admitting how much pleasure he gets from the deception and the anguish it causes his caregivers is at this point the only honest thing we hear from him. Coming from a household of two very involved parents (we are the PTA parents who were at every school event and who provided full physical, financial, and economic support for every sport/project/hobby that any of kids have) I can’t really put a social cause for what appears to be a conscious decision to go down this path. The only advice I can give to the family and “loved” ones and associates of psychopaths is to not be a victim. The only thing my son seems to respect and understand at this point is that I unequivocally let him know in no uncertain terms that I will protect the rest of the family, our friends, and even other people’s children again him and that I stand ready at the slightest provocation to turn him into juvenile services for any significant infraction. I also let him know that should I have t do that, he will stay there with no effort from me or anyone else to bail him out, speak on his behalf, or even provide funding for legal counsel. And this was the child with whom I had spent so much time, and had so many adventures with as he grew up that his sisters became jealous of our relationship. So my advice is to understand that regardless of what you do, people will choose either a path of darkness or light when growing up. Realize the same, realize that their decision is theirs (not yours) and you are neither responsible for it nor able to change it, and act accordingly.

    1. say so

      Many hugs for this. You did your best apparently. Its good now you know where you stand. Myself I. One from a family of psychopaths. I have also set up a similar high boundary of self protection. Any family member who misbehaves towards me will have exactly the same consequences as would a stranger. All those previledges of calling me on phone have been gone for decades. There is a sister now I cannot remember how she looked. Their children and grandchildren I have no idea their names and whether they are alive or dead.
      Was a tough decision.
      I did not create their psychopathy. I think it was generational but what does that matter to me?
      Just to be clear I did not even attend my horrible mother’s funeral. Its ten years and I have never cried or anything. I think she was a complete stranger that had stumbled into my life. Same can be said if my eatraged family.

    2. Pancho Villa

      Sounds like your son needs a good ol fashion ass whooping to beat the devil out of him!

  7. Laura

    I was married to a high functioning sociopath for 20 years. It was 191/2 years of a roller coaster of emotional abuse and thinking there must be something wrong with me? After all everyone else thought he was this perfect man! He teaches karate not only in the U.S. but in other countries, so he has so very many people that think he is this wonderful almost perfect man. For years who could I even tell? Who would believe me over him? The things he did to me made me want to die, I couldn’t understand how someone so great could treat me so badly, I had to be a horrible human being. If you are wondering about the first 6 months, that’s when they sweep you off your feet. They are your perfect person, the one you always wanted, the one you will spend 191/2 years trying to get back.

  8. say so

    The part I do not believe is that psychopaths are 4 percent. How so you then explain everyone in my family of 8 and their children and grandchildren are psychos. Ivtried day and good to look for the good but there was simply nothing!

  9. Paul

    My baby mother is a sychopth. Has taken me to court for full custody when he was diagnosed with cancer. Accused me of trying to steal him feeding pump which I paid half for, because I was flushing water through the tubs. Has charged me with assault only to move down the street from me and drop my son off to me to watch while she disappeared for weeks doing crack. While I was charged and to have no contact. Did not call the cops because I was afraid I’d get in trouble. even informed CAS. My son is now 11 years old.
    Doesn’t know how to read or do math. He has been neglected. She countinues to lie to everyone about what she does. Has moved to 10 different family members in the past 11 years who she has convinced.
    She is a really good peoples person. Would go as far to say she has a winning personality. Lies to her work and my sons school when she has slipped up. Has held a knife to her ex thought and when a lady in the hall came out said” call the cops he is trying to hurt me” and laughs obout the situation. People with suppressed frontal lobes have no emoations. Also using crack suppresses it. Extentent long term use makes this behaviour seem normal to them. Not knowing how they have changed over the years.
    Stay away from crack. It will turn you into a sychopath.

  10. Manuel jacuinde

    Anybody here that believes in “God” is not a true sociopath. We our god in our eyes. Sure those of us high functioning enough will relate a bs religious phrases when the mask calls for it. Stop masquerading as people you’re not, or not could care less
    #regretmylossesbutnevermychoices

  11. Arthur Klein

    This article was very well written..I’ve always known that I’m a psychopath,sociopath…I have no empathy for others,and I’ve spent time thinking about suicide …I don’t wish for a better life for my fellow man,instead I wish for man to suffer the way I have all my life.. I have nothing but disgust and contempt for the world and my fellow man.i dislike the world very much..I love animals and hate people ‘ve suffered all my life with mental health,being diagnosed with bipolar disorder (The most severe form of the disease).,anxiety and panic attacks, ptsd from growing up in a house with fighting and violence from my parents…also,I was mercilessly picked on and bullied the whole time I was in school..in my 55 years on this earth,there isn’t much to write home about..I get tired of life a lot.ive been married 3 times, each one lasting about 4 or4 1/2 years,tops.its been quite a life..I often wish for all of mankind to go away and leave me alone on this earth..I can’t STAND Humanity.this planet is just not a good safe place..I DO NOT believe in “GOD”..I fare much better as an atheist..the bible is nothing but a big book of lies.

  12. Lou Lou

    I think I’m dealing with a 20 year on and off again ex boyfriend now friend who fits to a tee. Don’t know what to do, he’s realized that I’m having a tuff time in my marriage, and Bam it peaks his interest. I’m not dumb I know why, because he wants to try to manipulate me when I’m at a low point, not because he wants to be there for me. It’s for his own sick entertainment. A huge story over the last 20 years. I dated him when I was 17, he had just got out of jail and was 21. I’m 37 and he’s 41 now. We broke up 19 years ago but we remained friend because I had lost a child to this man. He would continuely get thrown in jail and as soon as he got out he would be at my door, or calling my parents to see where I was at….. This has gone on for 20 years, and in the last year he has been awfully interested in me. I’m worried because I do care and don’t want to end up a victim, or have him try to destroy all that I have done, and made for my family and myself. This isn’t the whole story. I would have to write a book. This Man made me into somebody I never wanted to be at 17, he was a wolf in sheep’s clothing and he knew what he was doing and took pleasure out of my heartbreak and misery. He was my first love…..now thinking about him makes me sick. I don’t know what to do, but his sight is on me again.

  13. DeX

    I think the real predators are those who prey on anyone. This artical is too superficially written by some feminazi. Despite the fact that I feel a bit offended in the dissuasion that this article did to me, the lengths that people would go in identifying psychopathy due to its destructive nature, has a lot to do with who gets to behave those ways. I think that environment and life’s circumstances can make anyone either a psychopath or not. However, its also about whether you choose to engage in such behaviors or even commit to the lethargic environment you feel don’t belong in. You have to make the right choices in life. I get that sometimes life is tough but by being truly free is when you inspire those who might be on a lesser stage in life to actually liven up and be real. Once you are true to yourself and believe in yourself is when the opportunities appear and only then will you truly be able to make choices, and, if done right, overcome all the hardships and even exceed them if you have a good idea about life. Live and let live. Inspire and be inspired. That’s the whole truth of the matter. Peace out fellas.

  14. Judaism ist Greatzcher

    Psychopaths don’t go around telling people they’re psychopaths or post on article comment sections or forums to explain that they themselves are psychopaths and wish to explain all about their behavioral traits lmao.

    Just because you watched a movie or documentary that romanticized psychopathy and having been so inspired by it doesn’t not make you a psychopath, it just means you’re suffering severe delusions and should be hospitalized in a mental ward for wanting to be so “different,”. So many people these days want to declare themselves as sociopaths or psychopaths because of the fictional propaganda they’re putting out these days lol

    It’s not even being an edgelord it honestly just means you’re all meaningless and want to find ways of making yourself seem special when you’re truly not. Hate running into self proclaimed special snowflakes who want to attach tags on themselves.

  15. meoww

    Those of you claiming to be a psychopath are full of crap… People with disorders and mental instabilities aren’t typically as ‘open to sharing’ the diagnosis of mental illness of themselves… The article here is great, and includes a lot of information. For example, not attempting to diagnose someone (or yourself), but allow the professionals do so….
    While reading the comments, I realized, half of you pathetic individuals are nothing more than hypochondriacs. You read, see or hear something and automatically assume you have that same diagnosis. How about you try this, get a hobby… don’t allow your emotions control your mind, or go see a damn doctor and get locked in a padded room and then you really will become an antisocial, empty feeling “psychotic individual”.

  16. Ashish Khanna

    Wat is the solution to extreme pysco person
    Plzzz tell
    My wife ruins my life 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

  17. robert bush

    so i would apriciate
    you not say that we can not all be trusted

  18. robert bush

    ashish you will never find that out if shes a true phycopath believe me i am one

  19. seth deavers

    i have a low sense of love

  20. Sher

    I hate weak minded sociopaths and psychopaths. They think themselves smart and brilliant for ruining other peoples lives with a smirk on their face. Really all they are, vessels for demons. They haven’t the strength to fight them off so they take up residence with a vengeance and grow and thrive. I pity these type of people. They are hellbound and there is no way for them to stop it. They are the possessed, who oppress and victimize those that have a soul. There duty bound to take the rest of us to hell with them. Misery loves company. To those that have hearts and souls…do your very best to not become like them. Let them burn alone. Remember, every dog has its day.

  21. Gramps

    That they are a lot more intelligent than Democratic supporters, since the Democrats and Progressive members of Congress tick off all twenty of the boxes and probably some to be created yet. Great examples of Democratic psychopaths past and present are Hillary Clinton, Barrack Obama, Chuck Schumer, Nancy Pelosi, Maxine Waters, Adam Shiff and the remaining majority of Congressional Democrats.
    I also don’t remember Republicans rioting and destroying property while Obama was in office. Threatening and harassing the families and children of those that oppose them. That seems to be a trait of the psychopathic Liberals and Democratic left.

    1. Michael

      Your reply shows that you are an idiot.

      1. Joseph M Gaffney

        I agree. “Gramps” is utterly out of touch with reality. By his standards, all the Minutemen were psychopaths.

    2. Lee

      Gramps You are absolutely Right 😉
      The others that disagree are already fooled. They were supporters of the evil O’bama that lied, does bad drugs along ,had over 1000 words of the Records, sided with Iran, and gave them Billions of Our Dollars in CASH, and let’s see most likely helped the evil Cartels, then with evil Hillary and Bushes lieing about 9/11 which by the way was done with Electro- Magnectic Energy Weaponry, selling Arms to his cousins in the Middle -East ….Did they just forget all of that or was it selective memory. Or Fake News…. LoL….. LoL….or maybe their evil themselves and think all they did was just okay….?

      1. Lee

        I found this site by trying to figure out what this 36.5 yr female and her gang are that have been stalking, harassing and intruding on my phone, the last PC I had, and going in my Attic thru the Access daily, including nights, especially early AM, for a year an a half now at This house, then harming me
        and my dog withh Laser Weaponry, electromagnetic energy., Mail theft frauds, home invasions, , and Slandering rumors . All because I reported her years ago….and later her gang from robbing me of my Inheritance, Wages, Bank accounts, $389K , Heirlooms, Valuables, Lifetime Family Photos, Idenity, IDs, Mail, my Goods, Real Properties, Personal Papers,, Passports, Intrusios basically everythng. And boasting of it , telling me to turn them in , then prove it. Next she Tried stealing all the evidence. Tried Killing me several times, boasted she paid people to kill me with my money. Then did the same to my oldest friend an fiancee, which she was successful…
        Police told me to report it to Postal Inspectors , I did they did nothing, because I’m a Christian. I reported it to FBI, they did nothing. I considered this as Domestic Terrorism….
        Any suggestions??

        1. BOB

          LEE…ARE YOU OKAY??!?!?!

        2. Hitlist Survivalist

          You better get some Real gangster’s to help you. Like people did along time ago, when they didn’t want to turn to cop’s, because law enforcement’s hands are tied , so to speak.

      2. Craig me

        You see this is why the rest of the world just shakes their heads at America when we read paranoid delusional conspiracy mentality coming from people like you. No one and i mean no one out side the US has your victim oppression hateful psychosis. Try and live a happy life and maybe even help someone less fortunate than yourself and try make the world a better place instead of causing conflict and paranoid hatred with every word. Go back over what you read and read it out aloud – in.public even…

        1. Art Phillips

          Similar thing happened to me (theats, invasion of privacy, manipulating laws by subverting law officers, death threats, attempts on my life, etc.) The two people responsible are dead. I am actually sad about their deaths.
          Did I kill them? No! One died of alcoholism the other died from an untreated condition worsened by meth use. Did I manipulate them in any way? Yes. Though not through lying or force. Through subverting the people they were using. Unveiling their past. Mirroring their manipulation to them. Encouraging their self-destruction passively. I was not verbally dishonest but upon reflection I was less than open.
          Am I a psychopath? Yes, according to Hare and several other tests. I have worked hard at compensating for my lack of guilt, remorse and self-centeredness for 30+ years. The only solution, partial at best, has been developing principals I will not violate.
          I am still working on being a caring individual.
          I beleive people with this “disorder” can be an asset to others and sociaty in general.
          I hope this helps refocus the discussion away from political issues. Thanks

  22. Elaine

    Roger,bviousl
    YOU need psychotherapy. You”re obsessing about politics at 3:00 in the morning? Obviously a deranged democrat! Perhaps the people around you need to answer these questions on your behalf!

  23. Chic

    Roger, it is 3am, mom says to put your computer away and go to sleep.

  24. Barry Moe

    Devious , Deceptive , Dangerous …

  25. Merrill Page

    How do you suppose our ancestors — the immigrants that came over to make a new life in this country, if THEY were lazy, good-for-nothing bums, leaches, uneducated without any marketable skills, that came here expecting a handout, everything to be handed to them on a plate without having to work for it? Do you suppose this country would be the world power that it is today with that kind of mindset?

    How would our country be also, in the early days of development and growth, if the women had any man they wanted, at any time or place they wanted, and failed to use any type of discretion or selective process (like waiting for marriage) and killed the unborn child because THEY failed to accept responsibility. And since life originates in their bodies, to make sure birth control is used to prevent any unwanted pregnancy. None of us would be here right now. We would have been sliced up, our spines broken becasue whores, loose women who are the dregs of society, can’t control themselves and would rather murder human beings and human life rather than protect life from occurring in the first place or being more selective in whom they sleep with.

    What a country this would be — with these type of low-class, ghetto-like, poorly educated, people, who are like hemorrhoids on the rectal orifice of society.

    1. Kat

      Merrill
      Wow. I mean wow. What a self-righteous, oppressive and disgusting statement. I hope women are smart enough not to sleep with you so you can’t pass those un-Christ like opinions on. Wow.

  26. Hero9

    Holy Shit I’m I psychopath

    1. Sandra Hawks

      LMAO!

  27. Polishguy

    US has lower standards for diagnosis 30/40. Typical.
    UK is woke AF at 25/40
    LMAO

  28. Ash

    What should a person do when their sibling scores a 38 on this scale along with a long term drug abuse habit?

  29. Rrambling

    Name me a SINGLE US president who doesn’t score 17 out of 20, you can’t have a criminal past and be president – at least not one we know about. Ask Ted Kennedy. Otherwise – do you not necessarily HAVE to possess these over the top, arrogant and superiority identity character traits to even WANT to be president? Let alone make it happen? And…what about ANY other famous, I mean ultra famous, people? Is there not a certain sense of intellectual, physical and or intelligence superiority needed from the gate to ever even pursue such social status? And…that doesn’t just suddenly happen and then become reality. It all starts in CHILDHOOD. These people must necessarily BELIEVE they are superstars, must believe it is worth the pursuit – at ALL cost, must be capable of cutting throats, telling lies, stepping on people, sacrificing the lifestyle of the “social norms”, and embracing a level of arrogant dedication to the self-identity of their own amazingness to the degree that they BELIEVE -LIVE that they NEED to be consumed by the general public – for OUR benefit, that is unseen in their peers. POINT BEING: A LITTLE KNOWLEDGE IS A DANGEROUS THING!! Think before you speak. RESEARCH before you think! KNOW before you apply!!

  30. Levi

    I’ve come here because I’m curious about a specific person in my life. I’m already convinced they’re, at best, a sociopath and they believe it as well. I haven’t told him about the research I’ve been doing, but that’s for myself to feel more confident in speaking to him. I wouldn’t mind so much if this person was irrelevant to me, but that’s not the case here; he’s my boyfriend. We’re still young, teenagers, so some might be led to believe that it’s all apart of being “edgy” or otherwise. However, I’m genuinely convinced that my boyfriend may be a psychopath for many reasons. I’ve been looking up other sources such as “Can psychopaths love?” and the feelings that a psychopath can possibly experience. My boyfriend is a bit mentally deranged and I have to be there for him or else I know he’d fail completely. I’m not saying this because I’m egotistical, I say this from experience, as I’ve left him before. I had enough of the toxic relationship we once had and he became so depressed and distraught and was giving up on life entirely, going to commit suicide. I shrugged it off at first because I’ve heard the “I’ll kill myself if you leave” stories, but this time was different. He seemed all too genuine and I suppose that’s when my nurturing side kicked in and I began to help him again. Long story short, we’re back together and things are going good but he has so many traits of a sociopath and now a psychopath that I’m beginning to take action by reading and informing myself on these mentalities so I’m prepared for the worse.

    1. Stormy

      Levi, the best thing you could do is have him get a psych evaluation. Psychopathic people are not to be trifled with. A person in the “normal” range of the human spectrum could not comprehend the ways of a psychopath. They cannot be compared in any way to a “normal” person in any situation regarding thoughts, feelings, responses reactions etc. And they are genius at what they do in terms of gaslighting, manipulation, inflicting pain etc. They have no regard for you or anyone except for what they can get from you. They will gaslight you until you lose all natural instinct and then suck the life out of you until they replace you, become bored with you or they can’t keep their socially acceptable mask on anymore and the true monster is revealed. They can and will ruin your life. I was married to one for over 2 decades. I developed PTSD from the relationship. Everything I imparted to you here is just the tip of the iceberg. I’ll leave you with the warning that you most likely will not know that you are with a psychopath because they will prevent you from knowing through several avenues. Get a psych evaluation or leave. If the eval reveals he is one…run for your life. They cannot be helped or fixed.

    2. Chris

      Don’t bother speaking to them. If you are convinced, just save yourself and your time by walking away, without explanation. I speak as a survivor

    3. Steve Smith

      Levi, think very carefully about what you’re doing. Manipulating people is what psychopaths do best. If he bases his happiness on whether you are his girlfriend or not, that’s the wrong reason to be happy. You will be much happier for a longer time with someone who is already happy with themselves. He’s playing you and you’re allowing it. The “poor me” pity party is a very common technique used to make themselves out to be the victim. You are the victim since you’re allowing him to make your decisions for you. Get out of the relationship ASAP and as far away from him as you can, otherwise it will be the same guilt trip until he gets his way. Just my humble opinion.

  31. Richard

    I’m not going to get political here. What I’ve read and understood is that there’s allot of folks that could have the minor traits of a psychopath. Maybe we all have them. I’ve known one. If you take them out of their comfort zone or disturb their lifestyle, it could mean they will hurt you, or target you. These people do manipulate others to get their way and once they’ve got their way all is right in the world. And they can live like they’re responsible and gentle and caring if someone needed them. As long as its going their way. And they’ll help someone maybe one or two times but after a short amount of time, the same people needing help can become an annoyance and will be ignored and if they can’t be ignored then there’s violent behavior to make sure they’re ignored. These people don’t like to be sued or take any responsibility for accidents or mistakes. They feel no remorse. They just want to leave and find their tranquility somewhere else away from it all. They cannot get along with people at work, they end up getting fired because they can’t get along with the boss. They lose their temper very quickly. They love their independence and freedom more than being tied down to a job or anything that controls them to be a slave. They do well in being a boss themselves or own their own business.
    They love their animals very much and are very responsible for them and they feel empathy and sympathy for the innocent. And their hobbies and businesses are cared for very lovingly. But they’ll lie to outsiders to get their way when they have to. And they will be as cunning as they have to be. They’d rather be alone in their world and their work. If you cross them it could mean very violent behavior as in they don’t care about the law. That’s what I know. But they can seem to be like you or me. But when their mood changes, and you’re around them long enough their true colors will come out and you learn quickly. They can’t take being forced into a situation they do not like, if things aren’t going their way, it could spell disaster. They can live alone for years and not ever be any trouble or have any trouble. Ever. They can be happy go lucky, romantic, have a sense of humor and charming to get you to like them. Reasons could be unknown. But as time goes on, relationships dissolve and become boring and irritating. Or just pretending to become too busy to socialize. But like I said they’re just as normal as you or I.

    1. Chris

      Fits my x very well. Always getting fired and a greater and greater collection of animals, neglected if it suits her, Very persuasive, charismatic but only crass

  32. BadEst.

    Best comment on the entire page!

  33. Brett

    I’m just amazed at how many psychopathy experts this article made of people on both sides of a political aisle. LOL

  34. Rendon

    But some of these traits do apply to psychopaths, but mabye it could be put into like some of them do this or most of them do that, etc…

  35. Julie

    Thank you Janey. Important information to leave it to the professionals.

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