Other creatures will kill their own under certain conditions. However, none wantonly prey on their own. Psychopaths represent the exception. George Simon On the higher end of the narcissistic spectrum lies Antisocial Personality Disorder; a disorder that carries with it the symptoms of narcissism along with law-breaking behavior and a long-standing pattern of disregarding the rights of others. In his article, , Dr. These are what we would call those who may blend more easily into society, but still chronically violate the rights of others. Psychopaths have been shown by studies to have structural abnormalities in parts of the brain that deal with empathy, remorse and moral reasoning Oliveira-Souza et. When a narcissist has antisocial or psychopathic traits, they are known as. Samenow 2011 , author of Inside the Criminal Mind, notes that it can be difficult to distinguish the two disorders because they share so much in common. Most likely, every reader of this column has unfortunately known a man or woman who is incredibly self-centered and self-aggrandizing, who is untruthful and cannot be trusted, who fails to see things from any point of view other than his own, and who is able to eliminate fear and conscience long enough to pursue any means to an end. Invariably, others are betrayed, deceived, and emotionally perhaps financially injured. The narcissist may not commit an act that is illegal, but the damage he or she does may be devastating. After all, in the real world of dating and relationships, it only takes a few destructive behaviors to cause a psychological injury and pose significant emotional harm. The specific label placed on a toxic, abusive person may matter far less than how their behavior affects others, especially if it is accompanied by a sense of entitlement and a lack of remorse for their exploitative behavior. Not all psychopaths will have a criminal history many are also clever at evading legal charges , but there are subtler ways in which they communicate their character. Here are five eerie signs you may be dealing with someone who is on the more severe end of the narcissistic spectrum: 1. Shallow affect and limited emotional responsiveness. Research indicates that psychopaths have reduced affective responses and an absence of a startle response Patrick et. Such findings suggest that psychopaths have a greater ability than others to engage in cruel and callous behavior without considering the emotional consequences or even punishment for their actions. After all, this is someone who does not experience anxiety or fear in the same way other empathic individuals do, which makes for a rather chilling experience when they are expected to empathize with their partners or moderate aggressive behavior. When psychopaths are in their natural state, there is an eerie sense of calm, quiet and nonchalance about them that may be quite different from the interpersonal warmth they attempt to fake in social settings. Their charisma and superficial, glib charm may initially attract others to them, but the bond that is created is often emotionally one-sided and short-lived. Their smiles are forced, rather than genuine, and while others who are not as severely narcissistic may exude a natural warmth, psychopaths manufacture a mere flicker that quickly burns out when no one is watching. Their cold, callous indifference towards others is often hidden beneath a shallow veneer of gregariousness that does not quite reach their eyes. Their predatory gaze zooms in on potential prey. Normal people maintain close eye contact with others for a variety of reasons, but the fixated stare of the psychopath is more of a prelude to self-gratification and the exercise of power than simple interest or empathic caring…Some people respond to the emotionless stare of the psychopath, with considerable discomfort, almost as if they feel like potential prey in the presence of a predator. They require high levels of stimulation because of perpetual boredom. Someone who is perpetually bored is unbelievably restless and can be impulsive when it comes to high-risk behavior. It is unsurprising that due to their chronic boredom, psychopaths gain the most excitement from conning others or engaging in criminal activities of all kinds. Their excessive need for stimulation and entertainment, combined with their lack of remorse, is also what enables them to engage in multiple relationships and sexual liaisons simultaneously. Even if they have a primary partner, they are always out on the prowl — at the bar, in the workplace, on numerous dating sites — wherever they can get supply. They demonstrate a haughty, superior and contemptuous attitude. As natural braggarts, psychopaths tend to oversell themselves and their abilities. They self-aggrandize and believe the world must cater to their ego. They take pride in whatever qualities make them special and they believe themselves to be the exception to every rule. They can intellectually distinguish between right and wrong, but they simply do not have the moral capacity to care. Psychopaths believe that they are superior and this form of warped thinking allows them to trespass the boundaries of others as a way of life. For example, a highly physically attractive malignant narcissist may feel that his good looks entitle him to sex with multiple women outside of his marriage or favoritism in the workplace. Their curiosity is limited to what they can gain; otherwise, they demonstrate a startling indifference to the welfare or needs of others. Psychopaths are known for leading parasitic lifestyles that grant them access to financial resources without having to work for them. Yet the psychopathic partner will rarely celebrate or show interest in the success of that same partner unless it serves them in some way. Once they have hooked their victims into investing in them, they unmask their true selves. This goes beyond just normal self-absorption; it lies on the cusp of pathological self-involvement. You may find it unsettling when a dating partner fails to ask you about your day or never asks follow-up questions to an important piece of news you mention. They may show little to no emotional response or curiosity about your welfare, your dreams or your basic needs. Perhaps they even demonstrate a startling indifference to your physical well-being, abandoning you in times of duress or illness. Consider this chronic lack of curiosity and a failure to reciprocate as a red flag that this person is incapable of any form of healthy emotional connection, unless it can be used to maintain their own goals. If you have encountered someone who seems to display any of these traits as a long-standing pattern of behavior, be wary and do whatever you can to detach from them emotionally, financially and interpersonally. There is a distinction between occasional selfishness and the overblown grandiose sense of self-worth that empathy-deficient individuals demonstrate. New York: Penguin Books. The Antisocial Brain: Psychopathy Matters. Archives of General Psychiatry, 69 9 , 962. Retrieved September 16, 2017. Hare Psychopathy Checklist-Revised 2nd Edition PCL-R. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications. Without conscience: The disturbing world of the psychopaths among us. New York: The Guilford Press. Psychopathy: Theory and Research. New York: Wiley; Gordon Trasler 1978. Relations between psychopathy and persistent criminality. Psychopathic Behavior: Approaches to Research. A study of anxiety in the sociopathic personality. The Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology, 55 1 , 6-10. Electrodermal and cardiovascular evidence of a coping response in psychopaths. Criminal Justice and Behavior, 17 2 , 231-245. Psychopathy as a disorder of the moral brain: Fronto-temporo-limbic grey matter reductions demonstrated by voxel-based morphometry. NeuroImage, 40 3 , 1202-1213. Emotion in the criminal psychopath: Startle reflex modulation. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 102 1 , 82-92. Retrieved September 16, 2017. They respond to consequences. You deserve the best and more… so I strongly encourage you to get this book! 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