I somtimes fear I'm a sociopath Coconut15: Don't get me wrong, I know the difference between right and wrong, good and evil and what-not. I'm just not affected by mental pain anymore. When I was younger I was highly emotional, but around 15 I just stopped being affected. I'm currently in a war-torn country where I see a lot of pain in the peoples eyes and hear nothing but local stories of tragedy. Still, even surrounded by this atmosphere, I don't feel like I'm affected. I see what's happened to them, I know what their lives are like, and I understand their environment on a political, criminal, and economic level and it doesn't make me feel anything. I'm not looking for sympathy, I don't really care if anyone empathizes with me. I just wanted to write this to get it out. nellie77: Its good to get things out, regardless of what it is.... But i have some questions for you: I just googled sociopath and wish to ask you if you carry these symptoms: (1) contemptous of those who seek to understand them (2) Does not percieve that there is anything wrong with them (3) authoritarian (4) Secretive (5) Paranoid (6) Extreme narccism and grandios (7) Incapable of human attachment to another (8) Has an emotional need to justify thier crimes and therfore needs their victims affirmations (H cleckley and R. Hare) Coconut15: 1. No - I'm pretty open if asked, I don't go around pushing my business on others. 2. No - everyone has something wrong with them. 3. Sometimes to a point. I am usually in charge whenever I do something. 4. I'm relatively private. But I don't tend to hide my existence. 5. Slight paranoia. I don't trust right away and a feel there are usually alternative motives to actions. 6. I'm confident and I've experience a little bit more than most people my age so I tend feel I have more validity. 7. I'm capable of love...never been attached. 8. I don't commit crimes. nellie77: lols soemtimes i ask my self questions of similar nature.... Someone told me once never self diagnose yourself, especially from the web, its all lies and full of wrong info... I tend to do it all the time, read stuff about peoples experiences or just talk it out. Looks like you aint going to be no Hannibal lector Coconut15: appreciated nelli, but I was just answering your questions for the fun of it. My self diagnosis isn't from the internet. It's more from the lack of impact this tragic area has on me. Appreciate the help! Astarael: Sociopaths never worry about whether they're sociopaths or not. Insane people don't question their sanity. Dogs don't ask themselves 'am I a dog?'. Kered66: mmm You're in Afghanistan and your not at least a little paranoid? Respect to you my friend you are living in a local version of hell over there be safe. summerlune: I believe that's quite normal. and it's just because you have had too much of it. One will not get enouch mood or time or energy to show sympathy to each of them when there is tragedy everywhere,such is the same when a earthquake occurs,a survival does not think of crying or show any fear,he is too busy in helping others,or even better, saving other lives . nellie77: Hay coconut, i'm Australian, but moved over to syria nearly 12 months ago on a work assignment. i'm in the middle of a war and i'm oblivious to most of my surroundings.. I don't feel anything either, maybe i havn't been here to long to tell you i'm scared... Entropy: If you were a sociopath, you wouldn't have posted this thread because you wouldn't have the ability to realize something was missing... in the case of a sociopath, its a moral compass. Desensitization is not the same as sociopathy. If people were always as emotionally affected by pain as they were the first time they experienced it, they'd never get much of anything accomplished. If it bothers you that you have become "numb" to certain things, though, you can work to get your empathy back. It'd be a long conditioning process, but it is possible. hairytoes: you could start getting it back by making an effort to care or help someone, anyone. start with small gestures of kindness. it took me a long time to find out love is not a feeling, it's an act of your will. it's something we choose to do or not. if you are in a war torn environment, look for somebody in pain and put your arms around them. if you do, i believe you will soon feel empathy. Jazzxxx: you have fellings obviously if you are worried so no worries buddy just a little reading and education and you be all that!! No worries here from my observation cause socialpaths have no sense of feeling love or care if they hurt feelings ect...jazz Jazzxxx: you have fellings obviously if you are worried so no worries buddy just a little reading and education and you be all that!! No worries here from my observation cause socialpaths have no sense of feeling love or care if they hurt feelings ect...jazz Sully1462: Hey man, I know exactly what you're saying.. You see someone before you crying, and you know down to the core what is hurting them and why. I believe at some point we move past those things that hurt others, as if we've absorbed to the point of saturation, and can't go any further. We need to start to find out those things that bother us and have a real effect on our personal lives, and step out of living vicariously through other people. That's my opinion from my own experiences, because you can't express pain and sorrow until you've truly felt it for yourself and can relate through your own life. Comrade_: You're concerned that you might be a sociopath...smile, cus that in itself shows you're not one. | Philosophy Chat Room 12 People Chatting Similar Conversations |