Psychopath Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention
Definition
Psychopath is usually used to describe someone who is heartless, and unemotional. However, psychopathy is not an official diagnosis. This term in the world of psychiatry is included in anti-social personality disorder, which does not mean a quiet and withdrawn person. Anti-social in this type of personality disorder means someone who is contrary to society, rules, and other more common behaviors. People with this mental disorder usually cannot be in harmonious relationships with other people and tend to commit violence easily.
Symptom
The main characteristic of people who have psychopathic or antisocial personality disorder is their tendency to break the rules. The person usually has a very hard time following the rules.
In addition, a psychopath usually has the following signs:
- Difficulty or inability to show affection and kindness to others
- Frequently dealing with the law for committing criminal acts
- Incapable of being in a long-term relationship
- It’s easy to do violence to family and close people
- Not caring about other people’s feelings
- Intimidate others
- Often do manipulative things so that his desires are fulfilled
- It’s easy to lie
- Gets angry easily over trifles
- Doing dangerous actions without thinking carefully about the risks
Even though their character and behavior seem bad and difficult to accept, psychopaths are usually comfortable with themselves and don’t feel they need help.
Reason
Until now, the exact cause of psychopathy is not known clearly. However, it is suspected that genetic, environmental, and cultural factors play a role in shaping a person to become a psychopath.
Research also shows a link to the relationship between parents and children.
Risk Factors
There are several risk factors for psychopathy, namely:
- Emotional deprivation
- Parental refusal
- Lack of affection
- Alcohol or narcotic dependence
Diagnosis
A doctor generally considers the diagnosis of anti-social personality disorder to be a person who has frequent dealings with law enforcement.
Likewise with people who do not have close relationships with other people and people who have a history of violence in their childhood.
Doctors or psychiatrists will confirm a diagnosis of psychopathy through directed interviews, observations made on sufferers, and conducting tests using The Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R) and the Psychopathic Personality Inventory (PPI).
Laboratory tests or supporting tests are usually not needed in this case.
Treatment
A psychopath very rarely seeks help from a psychiatrist on his own initiative. Generally, psychopaths seek treatment because of orders from the police or courts due to the crimes they have committed.
The main treatment for psychopaths is psychotherapy. In psychotherapy, psychiatrists will help sufferers to be aware of the personality disorders they are experiencing and discuss things that can be done to improve them.
To be able to improve behavior, psychotherapy takes quite a long time, up to months. In addition, sufferers of anti-social personality disorder who are dependent on alcohol or drugs need to undergo treatment for this addiction.
This is an important step to address persistent problems.
Prevention
Until now there is nothing that can be done to prevent the occurrence of psychopathic disorders. However, every family should ideally be able to create an atmosphere that is full of love, away from violence, and fosters good conditions for mental health while raising children.
This is very important to reduce a person’s risk, whether they have genetic factors or not, to become a psychopath in the future.
Complications
Psychopaths that are not treated can trigger several complications, such as:
- Have tendencies to commit suicide or even kill others.
- There is a tendency to commit crimes
- Experiencing another mental disorder, such as an anxiety disorder or depression
- Abuses or neglects children and spouses
- Alcohol or drug addiction
- Experiencing an early death, usually due to an act of violence
When to See a Doctor?
Immediately seek professional help, such as a psychiatrist (psychiatrist), if you experience the psychopathic symptoms above.