People with personality disorders are often exaggerated as irredeemable monsters, however, this is entirely not true. This happens with many complex conditions, such as Sociopathy.
Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD), known more as Sociopathy, is a term that has lost its meaning because it has been replaced with a cruel interpretation of people who need help with their disorder. To stop these misinformed versions of ASPD, it’s important to know what exactly the myths of ASPD are.
“Sociopaths are the same as Psychopaths.”
It’s a common misconception to think they’re the same disorder; taking into account they have similar traits to each other, such as not following social norms and a lack of empathy.
Sociopathy and Psychopathy being the same couldn’t be further from the truth. Sociopaths are more impulsive, prone to emotional outbursts, and develop during childhood.
Psychopaths are more calm and calculated, they can pretend to care even though they’re detached from their empathy, and are developed during the first years of life or in the womb.
“Sociopaths are pure evil.”
This is the most common and arguably the most harmful stereotype for Sociopaths.
If they choose to get help from mental health professionals, they can be functioning members of society; but, because of how the media has made them out as monsters and criminals sharing traits with sociopaths, it unfortunately results in people connecting them with the menaces of society.
While Sociopaths are not fully terrible, they aren’t innocent people who tend to be manipulative. People who suffer from disorders should know if their actions are harmful so they can steer themselves away from those habits to be better people. Disorders like Sociopathy are very complex and urgently need to be tackled by mental health professionals.
Although we went over the myths of this disorder, the question remains; what is truly a sociopath?
Antisocial Personality Disorder is a condition where the person disregards other people and social norms. They do not care if they hurt someone just to feel a high.
This can include, but is not limited, to a violent outburst and a lack of remorse. Depending on the person, they’ll commit crimes such as drug abuse to feel a euphoria as a relief of pressure.
They also learn to mask, saying things others will be happy with to make their lives easier even when it isn’t sincere, which can be extremely exhausting and unhealthy to them. Of course not all sociopaths are exactly like described considering sociopathy is a spectrum.
It’s important to know the myths of ASPD, so in the future, they can get a chance to change by getting the help they need. The media has regrettably made a stereotype for sociopaths to try and catch “evil” members of society, when in reality, they are normal people; just like you and me.
