Ask a Psychopath - What is it like to be you?

What is it like to go through life with psychopathy?
Confessions of a Sociopath: A Life Spent Hiding in Plain Sight
by M.E. Thomas
Available in Paperback and Kindle

[Matt-vzwy]

What’s interesting to me is that her emotional pallet is basically what people perceive as perfection and similar to how many people imagine heaven. No fear, sadness, guilt, fear of judgement etc. it’s almost like psychopathy, which we almost universally recognize as an inhibitor of progress in life is also the goal we’ve set for ourselves. I wonder, if it were possible for a person to experience her reality for a short period of time, if it would be as euphoric as someone might imagine the absence of negative feelings to be, or if it would be a terrifying memory. The human mind is a strange thing.

[coltenkelso]

You can still feel that superficial charm that psychopaths have. But you can also tell she is being honest.

[Yetipfote]

I see how we trust psychopaths: they radiate fearlessness because they truly cannot feel fear.

[selinaogorman]

I applaud her honesty regarding her as a psychopath I know most narcissists can’t even be honest to others at all including there partners I wouldn’t trust her still I appreciate her honesty and it’s better you tell people who you really are that way you won’t have high hopes to be possible into someone life because sometimes people want friends and enjoy someone company with a psychopath you won’t get any friendship with them at least a real friendship with them your going to be disappointed and let down because they won’t be there when you need them by your side especially in a worst case situation like a passing of a loved one.

[KorisnickoIme]

I'm hyper sensitive with depression/social anxiety and I kinda envy her with not giving sh*t about nothing, what others think, no need for affection or having friends..just being happy all the time..

[louisskulnik]

Omg that Jack Nicholson Joker Smile...

[mariastevens]

How she described having a personality disorder is so spot on. Mine isn't psychopathy, but wow did that definition hit home

[starbite]

Everyone saying that not feeling negative feelings would be great and that not caring what others think would be great. It’s actually really isolating and affects relationships to friends and family because they won’t feel you care about them when you are failing to grieve with them and when you are turning a blind eye to their worries.

[jessicaholting]

Not caring what people think is very freeing. That is one thing we can learn from psychopaths. But I draw the line at giving up your sense of kindness, compassion and empathy for others. We must hold on to that. A way you can learn from them is let’s say someone criticizes you for something like eating too much or not cleaning your house..something that doesn’t hurt anyone…smile and don’t care.

[EditorNENYT]

Wow. It’s incredible how she mentions her body feels nervousness but it doesn’t come through to her emotions.

[Maxime_K-G]

As someone with autism, I wish I would care less about what other people think and dare to take more risks. It's kind of inspiring to hear that it doesn't have to be that way. Even if I would never want to renounce every form of empathy.

[allisonhughes]

Love how the question is what is it like “living with psychopathy” as opposed to “being a psychopath”

[dlibby]

Im envious of her, she doesnt feel fear. What a life that would be, so different to mines, so many things I could do.

[Mogojoegotube]

It's really interesting to see that she clearly has a complete understanding of empathy and although she might not feel it, she might still display signs of showing or giving empathy towards something especially how she mentioned going through school for others must've been really hard. That in itself is her showing empathy.

[daddydaycareah]

Someone who’d be interesting to talk to but definitely not someone I’d have in my life.

[Kristy-kz]

I have never cared about what other people thought about me as well. Fear has always been foreign to me, but I love animals.

[danman]

It shows how not having emotional empathy or fear can make you do destructive things and not care. People can numb their fear and emotional empathy (in the short-term anyway) through multiple ways, whether it's by brainwashing, drugs, or even feeling intense emotions like anger, but psychopaths have that fear and emotional empathy switch permanently off, which makes them potentially far more dangerous than the average person.

[lxdj]

In another she describes about how she tried to killed a possum and the funny part is that I've spoken with another psychopath before personally and let's just say she's probably one of the lower end of violent psychopaths which may seem surprising to many people

[hermessantos]

I suffer from Dysthymia, and have had many depressive crises throughout my life. By the way, I'm fighting against one right now. I envy her for not suffering because of what other people think and how they treat you. That's a big part of depression.

[Jessicabeyers]

I think anyone who judges and disparages this woman, for who she is, needs to look at themselves.

Being vulnerable and baring your soul to the world takes courage and humilty. (Even of they can't feel it) Everyone wants to be accepted in the world.

I've just 'come out' myself. Being a covert narcassist. Alot of things she spoke about I could relate to. It's refreshing actually to know there are other damaged souls out there who are going through the difficult journey of changing themselves. All we want to feel is 'normal' and develop a sense of self... Its a horrible knowing, you feel depressed and empty all the time.

If you are reading this, please try and put yourself in this lady's shoes. Yes, she may have odd reactions such as smiling at inappropriate times, but why zoom in on that. Why not be grateful to her for opening up which would inevidetably help millions of people either protect and educate themselves.

If you were a psychopath would you be game to publically open up, knowing the stigma?

It makes me angry reading negative comments on people who are being real. Rather we praise and idolise celebrities who are more fucked up as everyone else. But they wear the mask because thats how they want to be seen'.

I can speak from experience that i was so fearful telling anymore let alone admitting i had a personality disorder. Because i thought i would loose all ny loved ones. It was quite the opposite. I received more love and compassion. Because for the first time in my life, i was being 'real' with myself and others.

That inspired me to really own the fake person i developed. Ive learnt that we cant change unless we accept, forgive ourselves and let go... So i can build a new person.
And confident i will through the Dhamra path and meditation.

Somehow society idolises people who seem to be happy and have their shit together. Holding onto a facade for the outside to see. I think of most celebrities... How miserable, self absorbed they are. The pressure to keep up the smiles... Fake fake fake. Yet we idolise them. The poor celebs probably dont even know they are suffering. Then they kill themselves because they see their emptiness and dont know how or where to get help.

So please try and have compassion for us.
Even those who havnt recognised it within themselves
If you have been burnt over by a psychopath or narcassist, im sorry to hear that. Ive burnt people also. Im not proud of it, and certainly feel shame. But the one thing that can cripple a narcassit is compassion.

So please people, show your support to this amazing woman. She is giving the world a great gift by sharing. And giving a voice to the other f*** up suffering souls out there like myself, to recognise these patterns within themselves too and seek therapy also.

Jessica - Brisbane/ Australia