Q: How difficult can it be to identify a sociopath?
A: Does taking 50-years give you any idea?
Yes, in 2003, I accidently overheard something that I thought was minor, but it was not minor to someone I’ve known my entire life. It led to the discovery that my oldest sister, Kathy, is an undeniable and very vengeful sociopath. I am writing a multi-part article, detailing how I happened to make the discovery, why it took so long, and the ramifications it’s had on my life … what you should do, and what you shouldn’t.
A true sociopath is highly skilled at what they do (i.e., manipulation and deception), as they have been working at it every single day of their life. Why? Because it is their life, the only life they know. And they know how to successfully achieve their goals, usually narcissistic, and that’s by drawing in and using others.
A sociopath creates a fabricated public persona that not only allows them to blend in, but makes them appear to be admirable, impressive, charming … someone who’d make a loyal, trusting friend. And that’s the sociopath’s goal, as they need loyal followers to fulfill their own narcissistic agenda, and do so without question.
Just because that public persona is entirely fake, doesn’t mean it can be simply or easily spotted … they are extremely convincing, as they know how to fully blend in. Their public persona, though, has no resemblance, whatsoever, to their real personality.
Except for the rare accident of overhearing or seeing something you weren’t supposed to, it’s doubtful you’ll ever know the sociopaths in your life … which could be a good thing. But if you do experience one of those rare accidents, you better hope they never become aware of that accidental sighting. The real oversight is that when someone does see something worth mentioning, they’ll likely bring it up to that person (the sociopath), and that person will provide an acceptable excuse.
But the sociopath who was just made aware of their slip-up by an innocent soul, may become a bit paranoid that the slip-up may get shared with others. And if it’s a big enough slip-up, that sociopath will not wait to go on the defensive again. That sociopath could identify the potential risk as serious, turning the innocent soul into a target, and ostensibly becoming a sociopath’s unknowing victim.
If you happen to witness or overhear something, enough for you to suspect someone is a sociopath, do not share your suspicions with anyone … as in NO one. If it’s someone you work with, it’s probably time to change jobs. Seriously.
If you do fall for their charm, they begin to use you for their own agenda. On the other hand, if they sense you suspect them, they can and will begin to quietly destroy you, by using all their other followers.
In either case, virtually everyone is completely oblivious, whether being used, or being destroyed. They use character assassination, something they can continue for years without you ever knowing. If or when you do find out, it will almost assuredly be too late for you to repair. That’s when it’s time to move out of state.
I know that one first-hand.
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