Psychopathy Uncovered
The Complete Guide to Understanding Psychopathy
The Basics of Psychopathy
First and foremost, what it psychopathy? Psychopathy is a mental disorder often seen in antisocial behavior. There are two kinds of psychopaths. The first, or "Primary Psychopathy," is someone who is genetically a psychopath. The "Secondary Psychopath" is someone who becomes who they are through environmental effects. Psychopathy often runs in the same category as Antisocial Personality Disorder or APD. For clarity purposes lets look deeper into how someone is diagnosed with Antisocial Personality Disorder or APD.
Primary vs. Secondary Psychopathy
Primary Psychopathy is passed on through genetics and people with the Primary form often display more boldness. People with Secondary Psychopathy often have more fear, negative emotions, and anxiety. They are more impulsive and react with more aggression and anger. Their backgrounds would include a more abusive childhood and a higher risk for future violence. Secondary Psychopaths are more likely to be diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), whereas, Primary Psychopaths are more likely to be diagnosed with Antisocial Personality Disorder (APD) or Narcissistic Personality Disorder. because environmental factors are a cause for Secondary Psychopathy that gives people with that category a slightly broader range of treatment and medication options.
Behavioral Analysis of Psychopathy
Signs and Symptoms
Antisocial Personality Disorder (APD), or Dis-social Personality Disorder, is a mental condition in which a person will often manipulate, or violate other peoples rights. Someone may do this often through criminal activity. Some researchers believe that psychotic personality is the same as APD, while others believe that while yes it is similar, it is a more severe form of the disorder. Some common signs could include: lacking empathy or guilt, manipulation, lying, and cheating without hesitation.
So, What Exactly Causes Psychopathy?
There is no exact known cause for psychopathy. The factors that play a role in the disorder include: biological, sociological, and psychological influences.
Treatment Options
There is no official treatment for psychopathy. People will be treated according to their diagnosed as having Antisocial Personality Disorder and would aim for help surrounding that condition. whereas someone who has Secondary Psychopathy would have the ability to explore a broader range of treatment options because of their diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder. Borderline Personality Disorder can be treated through five different types of psychotherapy, as well as anti-psychotic medications, anti-anxiety medications, and for more serious attention, mental hospitals for close monitoring.
Prognosis
The prognosis will be hard to determine because there is no specific treatment to completely get rid of the disorder. Depending on the environment someone is exposed to or past trauma (mental or physical) it is hard to give a solid prognosis for someone with Psychopathy.