A forensic psychiatrist has debunked five myths that many people believe when it comes to clinical psychopaths.
London-based Dr. Sohom Das has a Youtube channel called A Psych for Sore Minds, where he covers a variety of topics related to mental health and crime, in addition to his practice.
On a recent YouTube videospoke about psychopathy, first defining what it is and then debunking five common myths around it.
According to Dr. Das: ‘AAs a forensic psychiatrist, I formally diagnose psychopaths on many occasions using the Hare Psychopathy Checklist; you’ve probably heard of it.
‘I have treated and rehabilitated psychopaths in secure units.
“I can say firsthand that there are many myths and fallacies about what a real, genuine psychopath is clinically, and what is not.”
Describing a psychopath, Dr. Das said he is “someone who lacks empathy, is willing to do almost anything, potentially violence, but most importantly is charming, persuasive and parasitic…[which] It means they manipulate other people around them to get what they want.
Forensic psychiatrist Dr. Sohom Das (pictured) recently shared 5 myths about psychopaths in a YouTube video.
Myth one: all psychopaths are violent criminals
According to Dr. Das, the number one myth is that everyone Psychopaths are violent criminals, but, he said, that is not the case.
“Psychopathy is a personality, it is not synonymous with violence,” he added.
“And although some psychopaths may be criminals, many are not, because they are able to control their impulses or find non-violent ways to achieve their goals.”
However, he noted, there is an increased risk and “people with psychopathy are approximately twice as likely to commit violent crimes compared to the general population.”
Furthermore, he said, “Furthermore, a psychopath will only be violent if it is convenient and there is a purpose for being violent.”
“Think about if you had a drug dealer who is a psychopath, versus a CEO who is a psychopath, the drug dealer’s violence is instrumental… whereas if you are a psychopathic CEO… slapping your CFO for messing up quarterly results could If it doesn’t work in your favor, it could get you into trouble.
Myth Two: Psychopaths Lack Emotion
According to Dr. Das, many people believe that all psychopaths are violent criminals and lack all emotions, but this is not true (file image)
Dr. Das’ second myth about psychopaths is that they lack emotions.
He explained: “Psychopaths can experience emotions, but they often have trouble understanding that emotion, what it means to them, where it comes from, and also responding to that emotion.
“So overall, research suggests that psychopaths have a blunted emotional response, but they still experience emotions like anger, excitement, or joy, but they tend to be a less intense experience.”
However, he noted, there are “some key emotions that psychopaths don’t feel at all or rarely feel or to the same degree” as other people.
Dr Das explained: ‘An obvious one is empathy… so they have a hard time understanding and sharing the feelings of others.
“And this is the same for associated emotions such as guilt, remorse or deep attachment, which can make psychopaths callous, indifferent and unconcerned about the well-being of others.”
The other emotion that a psychopath may lack is fear, which, he said, can make him more dangerous than other people, as well as more impulsive.
He added: “The other thing I would say is that for psychopaths, emotions often seem to be a means to an end.” Therefore, they could use emotions strategically to manipulate situations or achieve their goals. So what I’m talking about are instrumental emotions rather than deep emotions.’
Myth three: women can’t be psychopaths
A myth about psychopaths is that they cannot be women, but this is not the case, although it can present differently in women (file image)
Moving on to myth number three, Dr. Das said that women cannot be psychopaths.
However, psychopathy can occur in both men and women, he explained, “although it is more commonly diagnosed in men.”
Dr. Das continued: “Some estimates say [psychopathy] It is diagnosed approximately 10 times more often in men than in women.
“But here’s the key: Recently some experts, and I think I probably agree, say that psychopathy assessment actually focuses on more masculine traits, while female psychopathy traits are more subtle.”
Myth four: psychopaths can be cured
Dr Sohom Das (pictured) is a London-based forensic psychiatrist who also creates YouTube content on his channel A Psych for Sore Minds.
According to Dr. Das: ‘Myth number four [is that] Psychopaths can be cured… In reality, there is no cure for psychopathy.
“But that doesn’t mean treatment isn’t helpful… in managing symptoms and reducing the risk of harmful behaviors in the future.”
‘So what we’re saying is that you can’t change inherited personality traits. You can’t force someone to feel empathy, but you can work on other factors that lead to violence. You can work on anger management, you can work on impulsivity.’
As an example, he explained that if there is a psychopath who ‘becomes more violent when he drinks because he becomes disinhibited, or when he takes drugs, he can do drug and alcohol rehabilitation.’
He separately noted that, in his experience, ‘psychopaths or anyone with any type of antisocial trait can change, but… you can’t force change… They have to have the internal motivation.’
‘They have to have this internal epiphany that they need to change. And in my experience, this happens, but that’s when people get older.’
Myth five: psychopaths are very intelligent
Despite television depictions of psychopaths, it is a myth that they are all very intelligent.
“So intelligence… is not a defining trait of psychopathy,” Dr. Das said.
“That said, if you’re smart, psychopathic, and pretty cunning, then you’ll probably be successful at whatever you want to do.”
He added: “So if you’re a psychopath, you’re intelligent, and you don’t have the pesky morals of others getting in your way, you’ll probably achieve your goal, even if it means crushing other people in your way.” path.’
Dr. Sohom Das can be found at Twitter, instagramand Tik Tokas well as YouTube.