High Functioning Sociopath- What Does it Mean?

May 31, 2022

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Originally Posted On: https://holistic-momma.com/high-functioning-sociopath

A high functioning sociopath is someone who has qualities that are similar to those of a sociopath but behaves in an entirely different way. They live among the rest of society and can even have high-ranking jobs such as doctors or lawyers. The difference between high functioning sociopaths and average people is that they feel no moral responsibility for their actions and do not see them as wrong. This article will explore what it’s like to be a high functioning sociopath, how you know if you might be one yourself, and what makes them so dangerous…

What is the definition of a high functioning sociopath?

A high-functioning sociopath is someone who has qualities that are similar to those of a sociopath but behaves in an entirely different way.

Also known as “antisocial personality disorder” according to the DSM-V. (Robertson, 1996)

This post discusses the traits of being a high-functioning sociopath, including examples from real-life situations where these individuals exist within our world today.

What does it mean to be high functioning sociopath? It means that you can fit in with others and seem like you are achieving where it may be hard to detect this mental illness.

I have other articles about high functioning anxiety and high functioning depression, click to learn more.

Sociopathic symptoms include

recklessness
need for stimulation
high-risk behavior
delinquent
criminal behavior (often from the other symptoms)
consistent irresponsibility
lack of remorse
irritability or aggressiveness
manipulative
without a conscience
callousness
narcissism

These symptoms are part of a controversial diagnosis because the symptoms can overlap with other disorders. (Glenn, 2013)

What causes antisocial personality disorder or sociopathic disorder?

A high functioning sociopath is someone who has qualities that are similar to those of a sociopath but behaves in an entirely different way. The difference between high functioning sociopaths and average people is that they feel no moral responsibility for their actions and do not see them as wrong. This article will explore what it’s like to be a high functioning sociopath, how you know if you might be one yourself, and what makes them so dangerous.

Sociopaths lack the ability to judge their own behavior from another person’s perspective. Also, there was a study done showing that the children who were institutionalized showed an increased risk for sociopathic behavior later on in life. “Institutions in this study were defined as orphanages and “other residential institutions.

Sadly, this reinforces that the need for adoption and putting children in loving homes is crucial to their development in many ways. These children may also struggle with severe depression contributing to their inability to get the help they need.

Is there a sociopath test?

Well, there is abnormal gray and white matter in the brain, particularly in the parietal lobe, in individuals who struggle with antisocial personality disorder or sociopathy. (Tang, 2013)

Also, you can look at the DSM V description of a sociopath to evaluate signs and symptoms.

Some of these symptoms may be more obvious than others, being a high functioning sociopath, some symptoms may be suppressed.

What is the difference between a sociopath and a psychopath?

Psychopaths do not have a conscience (like the devil and angel on your shoulders) that tells you right from wrong. Psychopaths have no remorse for others and do not feel bad when they cause harm.

Vs.

Sociopaths have a conscience but it may be weak. They get their self-esteem from personal gain, power, and pleasure. They lack empathy and remorse, hurting and mistreating others.

These people are not always “scary and violent” like the movies, only some may be violent.

A recent study showed that 50-80% of prisoners suffer from an anti personality disorder (sociopathic disorder). (Ogloff, 2006) Many of these individuals might have been high-functioning sociopaths for a while until they were arrested.

Who are some famous sociopaths?

One might say these individuals are “infamous” because they are known for some terrible things.

Jeffery Dahmer (serial killer), Ted Bundy (serial killer), Charles Manson (sort of serial killer) but a few are a little more “liked” I guess you could say. Would be Elizabeth Holmes (criminal and fraud) and Jack Henry Abbott (a criminal and an author).

These well-known sociopaths didn’t have clear regard for other humans, causing them to make these poor decisions.

References:

Glenn, A. L., Johnson, A. K., & Raine, A. (2013). Antisocial personality disorder: a current review. Current psychiatry reports, 15(12), 427. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-013-0427-7

Ogloff J. R. (2006). Psychopathy/antisocial personality disorder conundrum. The Australian and New Zealand journal of psychiatry, 40(6-7), 519–528. https://doi.org/10.1080/j.1440-1614.2006.01834.x

Robertson, M. D., Bray, A., & Parker, G. B. (1996). Sociopathy: forever forensic?. The Medical Journal of Australia, 164(5), 304–307. https://doi.org/10.5694/j.1326-5377.1996.tb94198.x

Tang, Y., Jiang, W., Liao, J., Wang, W., & Luo, A. (2013). Identifying individuals with antisocial personality disorder using resting-state FMRI. PloS one, 8(4), e60652. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0060652

Originally posted 2021-11-02 04:42:02.