How to Manage Sociopathic Behavior

Sociopathy is the subject of intense debate among mental health professionals and is sometimes considered a symptom or subset of psychological disorders rather than a disorder itself. However, if you know someone who is exhibiting sociopathic behavior, or if that person has been diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder, it is in your best interest to exercise caution around that person.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

Understanding Behavior

1. Understand that sociopathic behavior often includes persistent or unconscious lying. Even if the person has nothing to gain from lying, he may feel compelled to avoid the truth. This means that trusting a person with sociopathic behavior can result in serious consequences, so always take what he says with a grain of salt.
2. Protect your valuables around someone who exhibits sociopath behavior. Stealing is another common characteristic and may not be limited to things of value. For example, a co-worker with such a disorder may feel compelled to take her colleagues' pens and pencils when she visits their desks.
3. Realize that people with sociopathic behavior often have difficulty respecting boundaries, both physical and emotional. He might stand too close to others, inquire about things that are none of his business or otherwise stretch the definition of propriety. The best way to deal with this is to be firm and remove yourself from the situation.
4. Look for signs of substance abuse. Sociopathic behavior often includes an irreverent disregard for one's own body and for the law. This often results in alcoholism or drug addiction, which can be destructive both to the patient and to the people around her. If you notice signs of substance abuse, the best thing to do is to insist upon treatment.
5. Know that a person who shows signs of sociopathy will often engage in violence, sometimes simply for the pleasure of it. If you are confronted by such a person, and if you feel that violent is imminent, remove yourself from the situation immediately. In some cases, if you can't get away, it is effective to engage that person in dialogue to distract him.
6. Realize that people with sociopathic behavior often resist boredom to the extreme. It is usually best to keep them busy, even with menial tasks, to counteract the negative use of time. According to Richard Niolon, Ph.D., a professor at the Chicago School of Professional Psychology, sociopaths are likely to spend money recklessly and may not have respect for the needs or schedules of others.
7. Understand that people who demonstrate sociopathic behavior may lack a conscience. Although there is dispute about this in the psychological community, bestselling author of "The Sociopath Next Door" and psychologist Martha Stout claims that sociopaths are incapable of feeling or showing remorse. Although they might "fake" a conscience to inspire pity from family and colleagues, Stout advises not to trust flattery, and to keep an eye on someone with sociopathic behavior if you are forced to see them on a regular basis.

Tips & Warnings

• Watch for signs of violence or aggression, and deal with the situation accordingly. Often, the police are the best people to handle someone with sociopathic behavior.
• Understand that sociopaths are not always violent, but that the possibility exists.
• Avoid contact with people who exhibit sociopathic behavior. Of course, there are times when you must co-exist with a sociopath, such as at work, in which case you should keep your eyes open and always pay attention to your surroundings.