While doing research on the personality disorder domains of narcissism, sociopathy, and psychopathy (antisocial personality disorder), I couldn’t help but notice that there is much confusion, inconsistency and an overall lack of agreement as to what the field of Psychology and the general public considers a Sociopath or Psychopath to be. These two terms were renamed as “Antisocial Personality Disorder”, in the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, 5th edition/the Bible of psychology), and the switch makes it difficult to differentiate between the two. The public, media and even doctors and Psychiatrists/Psychologists are using these two terms interchangeably, when they should not be. This is important because there ARE differences. big differences, that should have implications for not only how we as individuals deal with these people but how law enforcement, the criminal justice system and society in general deals with them. This is why I’ve decided to create a name and definition of my own, for the sake of this website, which encompasses the uniqueness of someone who would rate fairly high on the psychopathy scale (a unit of measurement which rates traits of psychopathy), has above average intelligence, is apathetic (shows little to no compassion), and has shallow emotional affect (most have some degree of emotions but have an ability to “turn a switch” and turn their emotions and empathy off quite easily, which help them separate their emotions from the act they are committing against a person, physical or otherwise.) They are also charismatic yet narcissistic, bold, fearless, have a difficult time detecting danger in situations or surroundings, and they are not afraid to use strong threats or violence to get what they want. These creatures on the higher side of the scale can be as impulsive as their counterparts on the lower end of the scale (sociopaths) , but have the ability to control their impulses, so as not to act on them at all or have enough control over them, they are able to secretly plan and scheme the acts so as not to get caught. This is seen as one of the big differences . They are “shiny and glittery’ to people and that makes them easily able to draw you in. I’m not talking about, “oh yeah…he’s a popular guy”, I’m talking like a creepy, almost “magical “‘Pied Piper’ kind of ability. I saw this “phenomenon” played out over and over again all throughout my marriage. PEOPLE LOVED MY HUSBAND AND WANTED TO BE ENTERTAINED BY HIM…ALWAYS. It didn’t matter if it was his friend, customer or cable guy that came to the house one time… I don’t know how else to put it or explain it. Each time with the same amazement as the last. I seriously would just marvel at this ability he had. I still do, except NOW (after educating myself), I understand why! Maybe most important of all, they have the ability to annihilate and “murder” another person’s soul and spirit, cause serious physical illnesses in their victims without even physically hurting them, (usually with a gleam in their eye-yes, they tend to have a high level of sadism). I call these people “Soulspirit Murderers”. This term is largely based on the one I lived with for nearly 30 years, which is more than half my entire life and all of my adult life. He was my husband...
