7 Signs You're Dealing With a Psychopath

Have you ever wondered what makes a psychopath tick? These individuals are often portrayed as cold, calculating, and emotionless, but the truth is far more complex. Psychopaths can be charming, intelligent, and even appear empathetic at times. However, beneath the surface lies a web of manipulative and dangerous traits.

Understanding the subtle signs of psychopathy can help you identify these behaviors in others—or even within yourself. In this article, we’ll explore seven psychological traits that define psychopathy, delving into their impact on relationships, emotions, and everyday interactions.

By the end, you’ll have a clearer picture of how psychopathy manifests and how to protect yourself from its harmful effects.

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1. Exaggerated Egotism

One of the most recognizable signs of a psychopath is their consistent egotism. In their eyes, there is no one in the world who could ever be their equal.

They are the best at everything they do. They are 100% certain they could never be replaced.

This inflated self-importance comes from the selfish way psychopaths view the world around them. They think people are always looking out for themselves. And if anyone says otherwise, they’re lying.

To a psychopath, they’re not doing anything different than everyone else—they’re just doing it better.

For example, psychopaths think the rules are only there for people who aren’t clever enough to break them and not get caught. That’s one of the primary reasons why so many psychopaths engage in violent crimes.

When they want something, no one else’s opinions or rules could possibly outweigh their own.

This is often how psychopaths avoid taking responsibility for their actions. If you were supposedly asking for it, they don’t think it’s their fault. If they go behind your back, they’d blame you for trusting them.

Egotism and a lack of responsibility is a dangerous combination, so don’t let these two psychopathic traits go unnoticed.

2. Behavioral Chaos

Psychopaths are rarely in control of their own behavior. They endanger themselves and those around them by giving in to impulsive desires and instincts.

If you imagine the stereotypical psychopath, you might think of someone who is diligent and calculated. While that’s partially true, the reality is more complex. Psychopaths are exceptionally rational, yet they struggle to control their actions. They’re prone to fits of anger and can become unexpectedly violent.

One small insult can shatter their ego, triggering an explosive temper. When they’re angry, psychopaths often act without thinking about the consequences.

Have you ever found yourself walking on eggshells around someone? If so, it’s worth asking whether that person is truly in control of their behavior.

3. Insincerity

Most of the things we say carry meaning on multiple levels. For instance, imagine you’re leaving work, and a coworker says, “Great job today!” On the surface, it’s a compliment. But how often do you look for deeper meaning in a comment like that?

You might analyze the tone, the phrasing, or the way certain words are emphasized. You pay attention to the emotions behind the words, not just the words themselves.

Psychopaths, however, often struggle to infuse genuine emotion into their words. Their sentiments can come across as hollow or fabricated because they usually are.

This doesn’t mean psychopaths can’t feel emotions—they absolutely can. The problem lies in relating those emotions to others. For example, if a psychopath says something comforting like, “There are plenty of fish in the sea,” it might seem like they’re trying to lift your spirits.

In reality, they might say something like this only to gain something from you. Psychopaths imitate sympathy to manipulate others. Their words may sound caring, but the emotional connection isn’t genuine.

This behavior stems from how their brains process emotion. Studies show that psychopaths often miss emotional subtext or abstract ideas. Their logic-oriented minds struggle to grasp the deeper meaning of things.

4. Parasitic Lifestyle

Psychopaths often live a parasitic lifestyle, latching onto others for personal gain. Like a tapeworm, they drain the resources of those around them without feeling remorse.

They may casually steal your money, use your possessions, or waste your time without batting an eye. To a psychopath, their needs and time are far more valuable than yours.

If you’re in a parasitic relationship with a psychopath, don’t expect them to leave willingly. You’ll need to take action and cut ties before they completely drain you.

5. Disgust Threshold

Have you ever wondered how some infamous psychopaths can stomach their heinous crimes? Most people are repulsed by the sight of blood or the sound of suffering.

Psychopaths, however, have a much higher threshold for disgust. Horrifying sights, foul smells, and gruesome images don’t affect them the way they do most people.

This tolerance often comes from their lack of emotional investment in others. When someone doesn’t care about the well-being of others, they’re less likely to be sensitive to suffering.

6. Facial Attention

Pay attention to the way someone looks at you. If you think someone might have psychopathic tendencies, observe their eye contact during emotional moments.

Imagine you’re upset and sharing your feelings. Are they looking into your eyes, or are their eyes fixed on your mouth?

A 2015 study found that psychopaths focus on different areas of the face when processing emotions. Most people instinctively make eye contact during emotional exchanges, but psychopaths are more likely to stare at someone’s mouth.

This subtle behavior allows them to recognize expressions without forming an emotional connection. Eye contact, after all, carries an intimacy that psychopaths often avoid.

7. Missing Distress

Psychopaths are adept at recognizing many emotions, such as happiness or anger. However, there’s one emotion they rarely notice: distress.

According to a 2018 study, psychopaths struggle to differentiate between genuine and fake distress. They’re significantly less likely to notice when someone is truly upset.

Even if they could tell the difference, they often wouldn’t care. Psychopaths typically lack the empathy needed to respond to others’ emotional pain.

If someone you know consistently ignores you when you’re upset, it could be because they don’t notice—or they just don’t care.

Final Thoughts

Psychopathy is a complex and fascinating subject that reveals the darker side of human nature. While not everyone who exhibits these traits is a full-fledged psychopath, understanding these behaviors can help you navigate relationships with greater awareness.

If you suspect someone in your life might exhibit psychopathic tendencies, it’s important to set boundaries and prioritize your well-being. Knowledge is your best defense, and now you’re armed with the tools to recognize these subtle but significant signs.

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