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Locut0s

(6,154 posts)
Wed Dec 13, 2017, 11:32 PM Dec 2017

Has anyone known anyone with semi sociopathic qualities?

I'm specifically highlighting semi sociopathic as opposed to pure sociopath because the person I'm thinking of is not quit a clear sociopath.

He is a friend of the family who has over the years gone from being a good friend at times to alienating everyone around him. There are some definite signature quality sociopathic traits about the guy, including great charm, and extreme intelligence. He is a life long friend of my fathers who has fallen on harder times of late. They were good friends when they were younger but over the years he saw him change from being an extremely idealistic liberal minded individual, to being a pure materialist and back and forth. Even at times when he was a materialist seeking wealth, which he had for some time, he would have claimed that he did so for other reasons.

This is a man who when he fell on harder times asked his best friends to sacrifice everything they had in order to back him up, and when they refused dumped them like sacks of lumber. I do not know him well but I know from stories that he's also at times shown that his moods can turn on a dime, anger surfacing from nowhere. These are fairly obvious sociopathic traits. However unlike perhaps the worst he seems to have something of a heart and genuine good nature to him as well. That or he imitates it well. My father still remains friends with him although he does so very cautiously.

I'm curious if others have known such friends themselves who may not have been full on sociopaths, but had strong tendencies.

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Has anyone known anyone with semi sociopathic qualities? (Original Post) Locut0s Dec 2017 OP
I have a book recommendation CozyMystery Dec 2017 #1
Ahh interesting book, thank you... Locut0s Dec 2017 #2
I once had to give up friends who were not supportive. I have or was developing applegrove Dec 2017 #3
A psychopath is a psychopath and there is no semi about it. democratisphere Dec 2017 #4
Yes, they cannot be "treated" medically. Ilsa Dec 2017 #5
My father, unfortunately no_hypocrisy Dec 2017 #6

CozyMystery

(652 posts)
1. I have a book recommendation
Wed Dec 13, 2017, 11:45 PM
Dec 2017
Almost a Psychopath: Do I (or Does Someone I Know) Have a Problem with Manipulation and Lack of Empathy?, by Ronald Schouten

https://www.amazon.com/Almost-Psychopath-Someone-Problem-Manipulation-ebook/dp/B00BOE0IXK/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

To answer your question, yes I have. That is why I read the this book.

applegrove

(118,677 posts)
3. I once had to give up friends who were not supportive. I have or was developing
Wed Dec 13, 2017, 11:58 PM
Dec 2017

Ptsd from being a crime victim. As it I live a very quiet life now. Can't imagine how bad my ptsd would be if I had stayed friends with people who thought what I was going through was funny and gossip worthy. Or judging me because I was hurt and terrified by criminal harassment. They helped to gaslight me. Do people judge the Metoo victims for being traumatized? Nope. Not if they are democrats or those women's friends. It got to the point that I could not trust some friends who were good to me. You need context before you can judge someone. That is usually someone professional. Or someone actually in the situation.

democratisphere

(17,235 posts)
4. A psychopath is a psychopath and there is no semi about it.
Thu Dec 14, 2017, 12:49 AM
Dec 2017

Psychopaths have no remorse for the bad things they do to other people. The bad deeds can vary by degree, but they are still bad deeds; the psychopath does not feel bad about doing them, even if it involves family or friends. There are a bunch of them out there and they cause chaos and destruction to the lives they touch.

Ilsa

(61,695 posts)
5. Yes, they cannot be "treated" medically.
Thu Dec 14, 2017, 07:17 AM
Dec 2017

They are manipulative, and may have difficulties functioning to earn a living unless they are trained professionals. They can be successful, creative, high-energy employees, but shouldn't be CEOs.

The one I knew was a liar and thief and a bad mother, as she couldn't put her toddler's needs ahead of her own.

no_hypocrisy

(46,118 posts)
6. My father, unfortunately
Thu Dec 14, 2017, 07:20 AM
Dec 2017

It was confusing as a small child and it was like being on a roller coaster when he was in his 90s.

Not only he cut me and my siblings out of his Will, he did it in oblique language instead of the standard verbiage of "I hereby disinherit". And he left $35,000 to the neighbor across the street who cheerfully opined "Your father really knows what's going on."

The worst feature about people with this mentation is they come off as looking "normal" to people who don't spend a lot of time with them. Nobody believes you when you tell them about your conversations, your situation.

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