The Dirty Dozen-Characteristics of a Psychopath
A refresher course for informational purposes... quite clear, really. I locked the thread, so it stays that way... clear, that is.
1. The ‘Jekyll/Hyde’ Psychopath comes on strong, sweeps us off our feet.
Appearing to be our 'soulmate', he falsely mirrors our values, interests, goals,
philosophies, tastes and habits. He mimics our ambition, integrity, honesty and
sincerity. He wants to marry us quickly. This control freak wants us dependent on
him. He portrays false integrity, appears helpful, comforting, generous in his
'idealization' of us phase. It never lasts as Jekyll turns into Hyde. He blames
others. His victims are objectified and disposable. He convincingly mimics human
emotions. His lack of conscience is shocking, incomprehensible and emotionally
painful to us. We remember his odd reaction to situations. We end the relationship
and salvage what we can, or we are quickly discarded as he cultivates a "new perfect
soulmate". He will have numerous relationships. He may drop verbal clues about his
true character early in the relationship, but we fail to grasp its meaning. Later, when
the psychopath eventually emerges, we remember his early warning. His
targets suffer emotional and financial devastation and our emotional recovery is
lengthy. Defense Strategy: Abandon your efforts to help or cure him. His true mask
exposed, your 'soulmate' is gone forever. Accept the reality. Seek therapy. Join a
support group to know you are not alone. Don't take the bait when he blames or lies.
They fool even trained professionals. Do not be vulnerable or naive. Prepare for a
nasty divorce. Accept no abuse. Learn about mental diseases and disorders.
2. The Female Psychopath: Using her false mask, this charming "Southern
Belle" schemer appears helpless or needy, pitiful, inept or emotionally unable to
cope. Even total strangers give her things she gratefully accepts. Falsely claiming to
be the victim, this passive parasite lures and abuses the normal protector/provider
instincts in her male target. When her mask comes off she is cunning, ruthless,
predatory, and loveless. Defense Strategy: She'll try to hook and reel you in. Take
the hook out of your lip. Don't make her emotional neediness your problem. This
black hole of need can never be filled. Understand the mask of helplessness is not
the "real her". If she won't give reasonable answers to reasonable questions turn
and run. Beware and remember "...deadlier than the male." Realize she uses
sexuality as a lure. Avoid financial or emotional involvement.
3. 'Liar Liar' He will lie for no reason. He will skilfully twists our words, evade
questions, and omit important facts in his ever-changing, self-serving goals. "Hang
'em high" he says about the murderer on the 6:00 news. This hypocrite claims high
morals then proceeds to exploits, manipulate and abuse others. His lies and
projection are emotionally cruel. He will accuse you of being crazy. Defense
Strategy: Quietly verify what he says. The grain of truth he drops occasionally is
deceptive manipulation. Do not try to negotiate or bargain. Head for the door when
things don't add up. Learn about projection.
4. The Thrll Seeker never learns from his past follies. Easily bored, his hunt for new
thrills escalates. His reckless disregard for others endangers them. Poor impulse
control, bad judgment, criminal activity and substance abuse are common. Defense
Strategy: Don't get involved. Use your good judgment. Say No. Don't take the bait of
his rage or manipulation. Don't bail him out.
5. The Malevolent Psychopath is now fully unmasked. We remember when his
eyes were vacant, cold and predatory. This wife-beater, murderer, serial killer,
stalker, rapist, fighter, harasser, terrorist has a 'chip-on-his-shoulder' attitude. His
short fuse erupts into rages. He anticipates betrayal, humiliation or punishment.
He imagines rejection and rejects first to 'get it over with'. He will harass to get your
reaction and try to make you look out of control. Can become dangerous and
unpredictable. He has no remorse, no conscience and no regard for the rights of
others. This coward sadistically picks on the vulnerable, women, children and the
elderly. Defies probation or the courts. He has bad judgment. He never learns his
lesson and and repeats past actions to his own detriment. The media loves stories
about his heinous acts. Defense Strategy: Act to protect yourself physically,
financially and emotionally. Don't tip your hand that you're leaving. Don't take the bait
of his over-reactions. Be aware of the services of the police, law and shelters.
6. The Arrogant Psychopath Displays his false mask and his haughty strut as he
demands centre stage. He seeks envy, attention even our fear and hatred. He can
never get enough. Fame or infamy are the same to him if he can acquire notoriety.
Reacts disproportionately to situations. He boastfully displays his possessions to
garner attention. Defense Strategy: Learn the red flags of behaviour. Demand equal
treatment. Deny him the attention he demands. Learn about Malignant Narcissism
7. The Charismatic Leader manipulates others to obtain status, control,
compliance, money, attention. His effective brainwashing tactics often found in
religious cults or political venues. He targets the naive, vulnerable, uneducated or
mentally weak. He falsely portrays himself to be virtuous, the perfect father,
husband, spiritual leader, advisor, mentor, friend. Defense Strategy: Avoid him. Know
his payoff is attention, money or abusing us. Be suspicious of excessive charisma
emanating from others. Pay attention when your gut instinct tells you to avoid him.
8. The Promiscuous Psychopath (male or female). Pornography,
hypersexuality, masturbation, incest are reported by his targets. Anyone, young, old,
male/female are there for his gratification. This predator takes what is available. Can
have a preference for 'sado-maso' sexuality. Easily bored, he demands increasingly
deviant stimulation. The internet a favourite hunting ground. However, another type
exists, the one who withholds sex or affection. Defense Strategy: Expect this type to
try to degrade you. Get away from him. Expect him to tell lies about your sexuality to
evade exposure of his own. Be aware of their frequent presence on the internet.
9. The Nomadic Parasite has a lack of long-term goals. With unrealistic
expectations, he is aimless and lacking commitment, focus or direction.
He aggressively pursues opportunistic predatory use of others. Defense strategy: Be
aware of their red flags. Don't bail him out. Know his ability to appear helpless, pitiful,
confused and needing our assistance.
10. Conman/Manipulator pits people against each other. We may be used as his
proxy interacting with others as he sets us up to take the fall while he enjoys
watching the performance he orchestrates. Keeps his allies and targets separate to
avoid exposure. Verbally skilled at twisting our words, this charmer usually gets his
way. Applying 'fear' selling tactics, this scam artist crafts situations to appear
indispensable, ready to solve our problems. Money and conning others are his
objective. He will agree to anything then turn around and do the opposite. He will
accuse you of breaking the contract. Legal, custody agreements and normal social
or personal protocol mean nothing to him. Enjoys orchestrating police/legal action
and playing the role of the 'poor me' victim. Defense Strategy: Expect him to
disregard the agreement. Know the 'nature of the beast'. Facing consequences is his
best lesson. Avoid involvement. Be self-sufficient. Avoid any "Trust-Me"
get-rich-quick sales pitch. Learn how swindlers and scam artists operate.
11. The Professional Psychopath is often successful and intelligent in his field. He
can masterfully fake his abilities and credentials. He exploits others, and must be in
absolute control. He relies on his intellectual manipulation, and charisma. His eye on
the boardroom, he backstabs his way to high position. He ruthlessly abuses his
power. His bad judgment has adverse affects on many levels of society. He places
others in problem or failure situations. This professional bully has no social
conscience, and is often suspicious and paranoid. Others may support him to further
their own objective but this wheeler-dealer leaves them holding the bag. Defense
Strategy: Keep your references and resume up to date. Don't get involved in anything
illegal. Document thoroughly to protect yourself. Thwarting them may backlash with a
cascade of retaliation.
12. The Psychopath Child displays signs as early as age 3. This juvenile
delinquent shows early red flags of psychopathy including lying, fighting, stealing,
bullying, bad judgment, cheating, cruelty to animals, vandalism, truancy, sexual
activity, fire-setting, substance abuse, and running away from home. Many see him
as 'sneaky'. Defense Strategy: Fix the problem, not the blame. Maintain
domestic stability. Recognize signs in early childhood. Reinforce and reward positive
behaviour. Seek therapy. Establish firm moral integrity practices and
standards within the home.
