Sociopaths Can Heal: Insights from a Former Psychotherapist

I'm personally against all these labels, however, I use them for the sake of being able to have people more easily understand what I'm talking about...

[christopherxgordon]

Sociopaths can heal because I am proof. I was 100% a sociopath in my early 20s, but I didn't realize it at the time. However, after my mom passed away when I was 26, something inside me slowly started to change. Over the next 3-4 years, I began healing. I stopped manipulatong people, I began practicing being more honest and transparent with others, I began learning to show more empathy for others, etc. Now, looking back, I can't believe how evil, I guess you could say, that I used to be. Now, 6 years later, I'm a completely different person than I was 10 years ago. And while I do still have some of those sociopathic qualities inside of me, I have learned to keep those things in check by focusing on the kind of person that I want to be rather than the sociopath qualities that I'm not necessarily proud of.

[jazgarcia]

Oh my god thank you so much. I am a sociopath but I'm on heavy treatment and therapy and I really needed this. I get a lot of things related to psychopaths and sociopaths on my recommended on YouTube and it's always"how to spot a psychopath", "10 signs you're being targeted by a psychopath" or "why psychopaths are so dangerous". It's so disheartening. This gives me so much hope.

[christopherwing]

In a sea of ‘steer clear of sociopaths’ videos, this is the only one I’ve seen that offers hope

[theokirkley]

When I want my faith in humanity restored... I watch a Daniel Mackler video

[sonseraedesigns]

Pride prevents people from healing. But...if you come to the end of yourself and face your childhood trauma and grieve, then you can heal.

[EternalMisanthropy]

i have been diagnosed with sociopathy and i have never cried so much while watching a video. this is the first time i have actually realized the things i’ve been doing wrong. my childhood was really bad and that’s why i make others go through pain but in reality it’s only something i use to make myself feel better about everything that happened when i was a child. i had nobody when i was little, literally nobody and people always tell me i’m a really bad person but trust me i’m trying. i always break down whenever i think about what happened. i have been diagnosed with depression, anxiety and insomnia and i also take meds to control that. i don’t know what to do, i am only 13

[pocketpj]

I was diagnosed a sociopath or having traits of it a few years ago. Im extremely aware of it. Which is both a blessing and a curse. I know im mean, but I cant stop and cant understand why I developed this way. I know the trauma I went through and its definitely true that some people just dont even realize how bad their childhood was. I had some bad stuff happen but my brain doesnt connect that it was bad. It was my normal. It makes me really sad to see that disorders like this, ones that make people lash out, arent taken as serious mental illnesses like depression and anxiety. Instead we attack the mentally ill for having a disorder they never asked for and probably cant control without a therapist.

[proto]

I have a friend who deals with this, and he is changing. So it is possible.

[Road.to.recovery]

I had what I believe to be a spiritual awakening a couple of year ago. After this I came to look at myself and how I treat people and myself. I believe u was a sociopath/ narcissist and I have done everything in my ability to change the person I was to the person I am now. People can change if they are honest enough with themselves. It is sort of like a programming. We are programmed to be who we are but we can reprogram ourselves to be the best for us and all around us. Your words speak so much truth. Love and blessings to you all and thankyou for the video

[tbd]

The only reason I’m not a narcissist is because of Linda who showed me at 6 or 7 years old that I mattered. Thank you Linda Y.

[matilda]

If the world was a healing environment, everyone would heal.

[judith]

I think what people tend to forget is that sociopaths, more often than not are not always intentionally being “ evil .” They’re not thinking “ Let me go find someone to love bomb, value, and discard .” Unless I guess they’re extreme . It’s a big ol mix of maladaptive behaviors . A combination of low self esteem, low empathy, self centeredness, manipulative behavior, secretiveness etc . Most sociopaths are not purposely secretive . We may be thinking “ I have to keep my secrets and life private because people will use what I tell them against me .” So it seems like we’re gathering info on you to use against you while not saying much, but we’re actually just scared . We would rather you tell us everything and protect ourselves just in case . This happens subconsciously . We don’t even realize we’re scared and that this is a defense mechanism . What happens is our maladaptive behaviors and distorted view of how relationships work usually fucks up our relationships, but we fail to see how we played apart in the destruction of the relationship because in our mind we are victims(that child that never healed ) while also not understanding that we have adapted maladaptive behaviors that don’t work in our favor . This is why we “blame” the other party when a relationship ends . We really believe we are not at fault . We are not evil ! Just need a little guidance and self awareness . At least those who are not high on the spectrum .

[dpjoeoq]

I’ve been told my a psychologist that I am a sociopath and was misdiagnosed with BPD because I’m a woman. He’s right, this is something I knew. The diagnosis itself doesn’t bother me, but I realized a couple years ago after a tragedy just how much this shit takes away from me. I push people away, I was up everyday with so much hate/ irritation inside of me. I almost always feel very numb now that I have cut criminal activities and those associates out of my life. When im on mushrooms I feel empathy, and I have to really focus on being in the moment otherwise the feeling will suffocate me thinking about all that I’ve done. Anyways, thanks for your different perspective. I’ve seen everywhere else that this is a completely incurable disease.

[jessesapolski]

It's "impossible" for sociopaths to heal in the modern world because there are so few therapists who are actually doing therapy in a way that would make that possible. Or understand the situation as you do Daniel. I believe that most, if not all psychotherapists who have your level of intelligence and empathy cannot stay in the profession. That leaves all of the ones who merely do as they are told, and act as cogs in the machine. A sociopath cannot learn how to be human again if the person in the chair across the room is cut off from their own humanity as well.

[TheJunolao]

Thaks for beeing a real psychotherapist and thanks for share that wisdom. I really appreciate your work man, best wishes.

[extrajazhands]

u seriously give me hope man, with these people who are dealing with this type of thing. i mean im currently struggling with my own mental health and its been causing me some lack of remorse or empathy, which has caused me to become a "worser" person than i was before, even if i practically have no reason for it and used to be an empathetic and supportive person towards the one who i cared for. ive just been having a war against my emotions and thoughts, trying to make me think that everything that is horrible is "okay" even when i know that it isnt. and it even makes me feel reluctant towards help even tho i very much need it. ur videos make me feel better though, everytime i listen to them. im hanging onto my courage and hope so that i can eventually get out of the mess that ive created for myself, even in the most hopeless moments that my emotions cause me to feel. thank u

[humannotperfect]

I want to say thank you for this video. Because I was wondering about myself and how I was antisocial but now it may all sense. Now I know I have to put in the work to change my mindset. Thank you once again for this video

[citharai]

You inspire me so much, you have no idea of how grateful i am for your videos, im gonna study psychology so i can be like you

[usermonkeiyman]

I believe I am sociopath but growing up I have started feeling even more, guilt, a bit of empathy etc. Sociopaths can change but it's crazy and a painful journey

[DerAufseher]

I am a sociopath and it is very hard for me and this really helped, thank you man.