When you hear the word ‘psychopath’ your mind immediately turns to serial killers and horror films – it’s hard to imagine anyone actually admitting they are a ‘psycho’.
A man with antisocial personality disorder who was ‘diagnosed as a psychopath’ took to Reddit to answer people’s burning questions.
In the ‘Ask Me Anything’ (AMA) subreddit, he wrote ‘I am someone who lives with Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD), and I am highly psychopathic.
‘Some might call me a “high-functioning” psychologist. Ask me anything’.
He also revealed that his diagnosis came after he was ‘forced into marriage counselling’ after his wife discovered he was having an affair.
When you hear the word ‘psychopath’ your mind immediately turns to serial killers and horror films – it’s hard to imagine anyone actually admitting to being a ‘psycho’ (stock image)
Man With Antisocial Personality Disorder ‘Diagnosed As A Psychopath’ Takes To Reddit To Answer People’s Burning Questions
The post has garnered more than 700 comments from people curious about what it means to actually be diagnosed with something so taboo.
The definition of a psychopath is ‘someone who has an egocentric and antisocial personality characterized by a lack of remorse for one’s actions, an absence of empathy for others, and often criminal tendencies.’
According to the NHS website, antisocial personality disorder is characterized by similar traits that lead to impulsive, irresponsible and often criminal behaviour.
It explains ‘someone with antisocial personality disorder will typically be manipulative, deceitful and reckless, and will not care about other people’s feelings.
“Psychopaths are considered a severe form of antisocial personality disorder.”
It affects more men than women and it can only be diagnosed after rigorous detailed psychological assessment.
One curious Reddior asked, ‘Do you love your wife/children? Do you have empathy for the pain your relationship has caused her or is it rather an inconvenience that you have to make “adjustments” to keep your marriage?
‘I’m not trying to be rude, but am genuinely curious about your thoughts/feelings on this. I’m an extremely empathetic person and seeing someone on the other side of the spectrum is fascinating.’
One curious Reddior asked, ‘Do you love your wife/children? Do you empathize with the pain your relationship has caused her or is it more of an inconvenience that you have to make “adjustments” to keep your marriage?’
The man explained that he cares for his wife and children ‘on a certain level’.
He said ‘I feel no pain for the anguish I have caused and a forced intervention is certainly an inconvenience. I think the likelihood of future infidelity is very likely.
‘It’s not because I’m out to hurt people, but I’m someone ruled by impulsiveness.
‘If an opportunity presents itself, I’ll probably act on it. In addition, I am someone who tends to get easily bored with situations and people.
“There’s a constant hunger for stimulus for me – a need for something new and exciting, so it’s hard to imagine a world where I’d be satisfied with one person.”
Another user asked, ‘Then why get married if you can’t be happy with one person?’, to which he later replied ‘
I care to maintain the relationship to some extent. I entered into marriage for stability, financial benefits, sex and cultural reasons.
“Although I may be self-centered by nature, that doesn’t mean I live a non-conformist lifestyle and have completely disregarded everything.”
Some Redditors didn’t believe it, with one writing ‘It just sounds like you’re a selfish p****. You don’t have a disease, you’re just a horrible person. It’s a shame you don’t stand up and take responsibility.
Someone else said: ‘It’s crazy how horrible people with this disorder actually are’.
Other users asked if the man was ever violent to which he replied ‘I wouldn’t say I’m a violent person.
‘I have been violent in the past. I bullied people in school, which involved acts of aggression and physical violence. As an adult, not so much.’
Some Redditors didn’t believe it, with one writing ‘It just sounds like you’re a selfish p****. You don’t have a disease, you’re just a horrible person. It’s a shame you don’t stand up and take some responsibility’.
Someone else asked ‘What are your main symptoms that make you feel like a psychopath? Do you feel empathy for others, regret and sadness for your wife with the relationship? Do you have negative or violent thoughts? Or do you just feel uncomfortable?’
The self-confessed psychopath replied ‘I have wronged many people in the course of my life. I do not experience guilt or remorse. My actions usually don’t warrant a second thought
‘However, I have experienced regret, especially when certain actions led to poor outcomes.
‘I regret that my relationship is in disarray and it has an ongoing effect on other parts of my life.
‘I don’t really have violent thoughts. I’m not sure what you mean by negative because I’m sure all people experience negative thoughts. I’ve always been a very unpleasant person.’