I’m a forensic psychiatrist and here are five common myths about clinical psychopaths

A forensic psychiatrist has debunked five myths that many people believe when it comes to clinical psychopaths.

London-based Dr. Sohom Das has one YouTube channel called A Psych for Sore Minds, where he covers a range of mental health and crime topics in addition to his practice.

In a recent YouTube videohe discussed psychopathy, first defining what it is before debunking five common myths surrounding it.

According to Dr. Das: ‘AAs a forensic psychiatrist, I often formally diagnose psychopaths using the Hare Psychopathy Checklist – you’ve probably heard of it.

‘I have treated and rehabilitated psychopaths in secure units.

“I can say firsthand that there are a lot of myths and misconceptions about what a true actual, clinical psychopath is, and what isn’t.”

Dr. Describing a psychopath, Das said it is “someone who has no empathy, is willing to do almost anything, possibly violence, but most importantly they are charming, persuasive and parasitic…[which] means they manipulate other people around them to get what they want.”

Myth One: All psychopaths are violent criminals

According to Dr. Das, myth number one is all that psychopaths are violent criminals – but, he said, that is not the case.

“Psychopathy is a personality, it is not a synonym for violence,” he added.

“And while some psychopaths may be criminals, many are not, because they can control their impulses or find nonviolent ways to achieve their goals.”

However, he noted that there is an increased risk, and that “people with psychopathy are approximately twice as likely to be involved in violent crime compared to the general population.”

Furthermore, he said, “Also, a psychopath will only be violent when it suits him and there is a reason for him to be violent.

“Imagine if you had a drug dealer who is a psychopath versus a CEO who is a psychopath, the drug dealer’s violence is instrumental… whereas if you are a CEO psychopath… your CFO would be punched because he messed up the quarterly results. doesn’t work in your favor, you could get into trouble.’

Myth two: Psychopaths have no emotion

The second myth of Dr. The thing about psychopaths is that they have no emotion.

He explained: ‘Psychopaths can experience emotions, but they often have difficulty understanding that emotion, what it means to them, where it comes from, and also responding to that emotion.

“So overall, research suggests that psychopaths have a blunted emotional response, but they still experience emotions such as anger, excitement, or joy, but these tend to be a less intense experience.”

However, he noted that there are “some important emotions that psychopaths do not feel at all, rarely, or to the same extent” as other people.

Dr. Das explained: ‘One obvious characteristic is empathy… so they have difficulty understanding and sharing the feelings of others.

‘And this includes associated emotions such as guilt, remorse and deep attachment, so psychopaths can become callous and indifferent and unconcerned about the well-being of others.’

The other emotion a psychopath may lack is fear, which he believes can make him more dangerous and impulsive than other people.

He added: “What I also want to say is that emotions often seem to be a means to an end for psychopaths. So they can actually use emotions strategically to manipulate situations or achieve their goals. So I’m talking about instrumental emotions and not about deep emotions.’

Myth three: Women can’t be psychopaths

On myth number three, Dr. Das said that women cannot be psychopaths.

However, psychopathy can occur in both men and women, he explained, “although it is more commonly diagnosed in men.”

Dr. Das continued, “Some estimates say [psychopathy] It is diagnosed approximately 10 times more often in men than in women.

“But here’s the important thing: Recently, some experts, and I think I probably agree, have said that the assessment of psychopathy is actually more focused on male traits, while female psychopathy traits are more subtle.”

Myth four: Psychopaths can be cured

According to Doctor Das: ‘Myth number four [is that] psychopaths can be cured. In reality, there is no cure for psychopathy.

‘But that doesn’t mean treatment won’t help… control symptoms and reduce the risk of future harmful behaviour.

‘So what we’re saying is that you can’t change hereditary personality traits. You can’t force someone to feel empathy, but you can work on other factors that lead to violence. You can work on anger management, you can work on impulsivity.”

As an example, he explained that if there is a psychopath who “becomes more violent when he drinks because he becomes disinhibited, or when he uses drugs, you can do drug and alcohol rehab.”

He noted in an aside that in his experience, “psychopaths or anyone with any kind of antisocial traits can change, but… you can’t force change… They have to have the internal motivation.

“They have to have this internal epiphany that they have to change. And from my experience this does happen, but only as people get older.’

Myth Five: Psychopaths are highly intelligent

Despite TV portrayals of psychopaths, it is a myth that they are all highly intelligent.

“So intelligence… is not a defining characteristic of psychopathy,” said Dr. Das.

“That said, if you’re intelligent, a psychopath, and quite cunning, then you’ll probably be successful at what you want to do.”

He added: “So if you’re a psychopath, you’re intelligent, and you don’t let the pesky morals of others get in your way, you’ll probably achieve your goal, even if it means crushing other people around you. path.’

Dr. Sohom Das can be found at Tweet, InstagramAnd TikTokas well as YouTube.