Sociopaths and Psychopaths

Sociopaths and Psychopaths are born, not made, right? And how do they relate to Narcissists.

This is a complex question. Narcissists, sociopaths, and psychopaths are common terms that are now listed under the title of Antisocial Personality Disorder (APD) in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Edition 5. APD may represent a type of continuum in terms of individuals being dangerous. Sociopaths and psychopaths tend to be narcissistic; while not everyone who is a narcissist (fortunately) is either a sociopath or psychopath. In some individuals, the brain seems more susceptible for developing an APD. There may be a genetic component, as the child of a parent with this disorder has a higher risk of developing APD themselves. However, it also appears there needs to be an environmental cofactor or trigger to result in a dangerous Antisocial Personality Disorder. The most common trigger in those with a higher risk is childhood abuse. There is evidence that a narcissistic adult (whose brain did not learn to move toward more balanced behaviors) may eventually exhibit an Antisocial Personality Disorder with sociopathic characteristics, and can become extremely dangerous. The most dangerous APD (psychopaths) may be “born.” Recent studies have shown that the brain of someone who would be defined as a psychopath (so called) differs from the brains of most others, especially in areas that control aggression and empathy. For example, when seeing blood, some individuals become nervous or anxious. Their heart rate and breathing can become faster. The opposite happens in a psychopathic individual. The incidence of severe Antisocial Personality Disorder is fairly rare, about 1 percent of the population. 

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