How Sociopaths Actually Work | Authorized Account | Insider

Patric Gagne is the author of "Sociopath: A Memoir."

From a young age, she knew there was something different about herself. She didn't feel emotions the same way other kids did. To avoid stigma and to fit in, she learned to hide her true self. She tells Business Insider about breaking into homes and stealing cars to relieve the pressure of hiding. Gagne discusses the difference between sociopaths and psychopaths, traits of famous characters like Netflix's Wednesday Addams and Dexter, and how to talk to loved ones about sociopathy.

She's a former therapist and holds a doctorate in clinical psychology from The Chicago School.
Today, she's married with two children, but she's still trying to fight the stigma neurotypical people still associate with her.

For more about the author:

For more about: "Sociopath: A Memoir"

For more about sociopathy:
Society for the Scientific Study of Psychopathy

00:00 - Intro
00:32 - Am I A Sociopath?
02:01 - Childhood
07:13 - Self-Medicating
12:02 - The Diagnosis
18:44 - Delaying Pleasure
20:54 - The Psychology
22:54 - The Perks
27:59 - The Relationships
31:39 - The Parenting
34:10 - The Movies
39:49 - The Tools
43:20 - The Future
47: 39 - Credits

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#psychology #sociopath #insider

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How Sociopaths Actually Work | Authorized Account | Insider

[MeadowElegy]

"So much of being a kid is having to navigate your parents' responses to things rather than processing your own emotions" is one of the most insightful things I've heard in a while.

[imightlovekebapmorethanilo]

Her being a diagnosed sociopath AND a person that has a doctorate in clinical psychology makes this video a billion times more interesting. She both experiences and understands what being a sociopath can be like. I'm in awe

Edit:Guys please check the definition of awe if you are not sure, i dont want to be misunderstood and thank you for all the likes i really wasnt expecting themmm.

[pthompson]

Peeing herself at an event and instead of leaving due to embarrassement (what others may think or smell) she only mentions the personal discomfort of peeing oneself. Such a great example!

[AnatomyofaSponge]

I was recently informed by a psychiatrist that I am not, in fact, autistic, and that I’m instead in possession of several antisocial personality characteristics. This video is… the number one most validating thing I have ever watched. Incredible piece of informative content, thank you.

[danikeir]

As someone who is empathetic to the point where it causes me anxiety and I have to constantly remind myself to disassociate from other people's anger or frustration, this is a fantastic reminder... We all live in our own universe and we're all perceiving the world in very different ways. This woman could chew me out at a store and I'd feel it for weeks and she'll walk away and forget that it happened... It's very helpful and liberating to just be reminded that we're not responsible for other people's emotions or reactions. I'm grateful to her for sharing this perspective. Thank you 🙂

[heathercook]

"microdosing mischief" seems like such a perfect way to describe her coping behaviors.

[thefrostyslime]

One of my close friends from university is a diagnosed sociopath, and I love coming to them for advice because they hold absolutely zero punches lol.

[bradleybell]

This is one of those videos that you click on because it piques your interest and come out of it feeling so grateful that you watched it. Incredibly enlightening and so grateful for her speaking out.

[leavfast]

i had a therapist much like her in the sense that she didn’t try to empathize with me, more so her focus was simply to help me. she retired a few years ago, and i’ve been struggling to find a therapist like her ever since. i don’t want my therapist to be my friend, i want them to be my doctor. its incredible that she has recognized that psychology doesn’t have to be emotional and id imagine she’s helping a lot of people

[swd]

I really enjoy this long, uninterrupted format where awesome people, by any standard, get time to just explain themselves, something important we didn't know.

[xxmaxx]

„If I don‘t act out, I might be uncomfortable, but I can process this differently“ is almost identical to the coping strategy for ocd compulsions. Very interesting.

[infjelphabasupporter]

This video confirmed I don't have antisocial personality disorder. I was very empathetic as a child but after suffering severe abuse growing up I find myself quite emotionally numb. Nothing scares me. I'm not emotionally affected by anything, really. But now I know I'm not a sociopath, because I have none of these signs. I have no impulse to hurt others and I do care and understand social relationships. As a matter of fact I love helping others. This video was very enlightening.

[jenniferburns]

Her self awareness is what saved her from becoming more destructive, and directed her to her acceptance of what she is. Most people don’t have that ability to evolve as individuals, or it takes a long time. And people with antisocial disorders frequently don’t ever catch on, or care to catch on to their behavior. I have a sibling on the antisocial spectrum, and the secondary gains from her destructive behavior seems to outweigh her desire for healthy relationships. The high she gets from destroying someone is worth it to her.

I’m glad Patric can be so honest in her assessment of herself. And that she does want to participate within society. That makes all the difference.

[Autumnliminal]

The cut from “sometimes I pee my pants, ” to “… so I was at the White House” took me the OUT

[malindarayallen]

I notice that diagnosed sociopaths and psychopaths consistently talk about compassion and empathy as something learned or false. They don't have an internal sense of the genuine pleasure that comes with kindness, so they only connect it with the external pretty that also comes with it. It's like watching a blind person describe the color red. It's good to hear from someone on the mild to moderate spectrum to disown the myth of inherent criminality.

[Tree]

Supervisors at work have asked me to mask and I’m having trouble being wide eyed and fake because I don’t care enough to pacify them, so I appreciate this because I think it’s going to be helpful to remind me to hide my true self

I used to enter vacant houses for sale in my neighborhood when I was a kid for peace. I’d try doorknobs on the ones with for sale signs and just hang out in the empty house by myself, sometimes I would do my homework, I never did anything destructive. This is so interesting, thank you

[randallvargas]

This is genuinely one of the most fascinating things I’ve ever watched on YouTube.

[sarasvensson]

I usually look at kids who are bullies and think “they must be mistreated at home” but based on how she describes herself as a child, some of those bullies are probably sociopaths.

[RagePugtato]

As someone with BPD, I feel like this woman is the flip side of my psychological coin, so to speak. It's blowing my mind. Not having my emotions run my life, to have them exist quietly in the background...I felt a major pang of envy. But it doesn't seem an easy life, by any means. Very educational piece.

[meemzing]

She is interesting, it’s really intriguing that she believes she comes across friendly. Even with that ‘mask, ’ she is very cold and has flat eyes, she has that standard cultural cold affect of someone from her background, but what is most evident is the emptiness around the eyes. She is very well spoken.