Sociopaths, Not Psychopaths

Typically speaking, I hope to write blogs on this site that present current situations and discuss their psychological roots, consequences, and what it means for the rest of society (or at least those parts that it pertains to directly). Psychology geeks like me will read anything related to the subject and love to steer any topic back to the psychology of it all. It's obviously even more fascinating when there is a recent situation that expresses the ideologies and proves (or helps anyway) that psychology is very real and extremely relevant. In a society always on the go and already thinking about the next task even in the midst of the current one, relevancy that is quickly and distinctly obvious is extremely important. So typically I'll probably try to keep myself up to date in the world of psych through current events--news and using my degree simultaneously--WIN!

Today, however, I really just want to get on my mini soap box for a second about sociopathy and rehabilitation. True sociopaths are completely and permanently unable to empathize with others. Emotions like love, compassion, and despair (other than when caught) are not processed by a sociopath's brain in the same way it is through a "normal" person's brain. In all honesty, such emotions are not processed at all, but seem to pass through their mind without taking root--ever. Some sociopaths learn to emulate others and therefore are able to function more easily in society by fitting in with their peers. On the one hand, even the smallest examination by even a layperson will betray their false emotions; others can be fooled (especially children!) into these fake emotions just long enough to be caught in the sociopath's world--whatever and wherever that has been created in the sociopath's world. Many of these people become so adept at faking emotions that they essentially live two lives in one body. Ted Bundy, who killed dozens--if not hundreds--of young women was on his way to a life in politics with a girlfriend who was very much in love with him during the time he killed multiple people. She wasn't sick, or stupid, she was fooled by a master of disguise. His charm and good looks helped him fit in on college campus virtually without trying, and his respectful way of talking and friendly demeanor allowed him to abduct women before they could ever suspect a thing. He escaped from both jail and prison--yes, prison AFTER jail--once by convincing his guard friends to remove his shackles so he could prepare his own defense. They had no reason to doubt him, except that we now know that many sociopaths are persistant and stubborn to the point that they will say anything to get what they want and never feel that pang of remorse. They, quite literally, have nothing to lose.

When the medical and psychological worlds were first attempting to figure out the specifics and terminology for sociopathy, the majority wanted to believe that, even at its worst, sociopathy was something that could be rehabilitated and lived with; it would never go away, but they thought it could be controlled with outpatient services after the required inpatient time was fulfilled. They were very wrong.

I'll be the first to admit that, since we don't (and probably won't ever) know everything about the disease, not to mention severity in the individual as well as how each different person's genetic and personal makeup will be received in the brain, essentially making anybody's demeanor just unique enough to cause issues--all of these factors make it impossible for me to feel confident in saying that no sociopath can ever be rehabilitated. There is always hope for the future; but sometimes that optimism can result in your death. But the thing is this, many of the sociopaths who commit crime early in their lives and go to juvie or a lockdown mental society for less than 10 years--sometimes less than 5--don't receive even close to the quality or quantity of intense therapy just to scratch the surface of "normal", and they are released into the world with the belief that it was something they outgrew. Even those with years of good, intense therapy are most likely going to recommit the crime--usually murder--whether its 6 days , weeks, or months after their release. Rarely do officials force somebody t0 stay longer than "absolutely necessary", instead opting to free up a cell and make more money. It's terrifying to think about, but is generally the rule. Perhaps one day there will be a surgery, or a medication, or something that will make it possible for some cases to be "cured", but until that day, doctors need to stop acting as though it is already the case. Letting somebody out of jail, even 10, 20, 30 years after their last murder was committed, is essentially like arranging somebody's death. Many will fight the impulse for a long time, but eventually the need they feel, like extreme thirst or hunger, will win out over sanity. Sometimes, they kill themselves; most often, once the impulse is free after so much suppression, multiple people will lose their lives before that need is satiated.

People also forget that many of these sociopaths are really good actors, and while we're out looking for the blatantly deranged, it is the one who has perfected the bittersweet, single tear sliding down the cheek look that will take more lives. Many often confuse not feeling emotion with not being able to express it; there isn't anything wrong with their muscles, after all, and making your face copy what you've willed it to is exceedingly easy. In fact, the ones who look the most normal and happy go lucky scare me the most, because they have fooled so many people that they've almost tricked themselves.

I'm sick of hearing that proper rehab works for everything and everybody. That's simply not true, and such a fallacy is dangerous. I think everybody deserves a second chance--it will just have to be postponed until there is something to either sufficiently and adequately supress whatever is blocking their ability to feel empathy or a medication that deadens the impulses that drive to such violence. My faith in the psychology world is pretty unwavering, but I do believe that faith is in large part dependent on thorough, long term research. Even then, it won't work for everybody...if indeed it does for anyone. I guess my hope is that doctors and patients alike will stop be so reckless and impatient. I, for one, am very grateful that I went through weeks of testing, because that insured the proper medication as well as dosage. It has changed my life, but only because I was willing to heed the doctor's advice over my own. DUH PEOPLE! It is always important to listen to your own body, of course, but doctors tend to know a thing or two about what they are talking about...

I'm glad that the field of psychology has gained a little more respect the past few years, but there is still a loooooong way to go. There are so many people out there who refuse to even acknowledge psychology as a real field of study, and they certainly don't believe in mental illness. Um--how do you just not believe in something with so much proof? I'm guessing they also ignore the proof, but ugh so annoying! But as more people are getting on board with the reality and importance of psych0logy, I feel vast improvements--in morale, medications, tests, etc.--so now they just need to understand and share the sheer danger they are in as they continue to allow sociopaths to leave jail after serving next to nothing. Mostly, I'm just terried and appalled by the thought of feeling that unsafe.

Alright, I promise to write a very thorough blog next time, but I had to get on home and figure out all that situation--at work and at home*

Not replacing. Expanding.

Today I was thinking about how much I love Psychology and miss discussing it in my everyday life, and it very rarely makes its way into my other blogspot posts or my Tumblr. That being said, I use my degree daily, despite what people may think, but I don't normally find a way to bring up discussions from day to day. In all honesty, there are few people that I interact with in my daily life that have both the time and the interest in Psychology to even attempt a conversation with me, let alone actually enjoy what would most likely turn into heated discussions. Still, I want to keep up with new ideas and the like of Psych, and also retain all that I learned in college.

My plan is to write on this blog about the new happenings in the psycholgy world, the topics being discussed among scholars and doctors, subjects that pique my psych mind, and things of that nature; the LittleRebel blog will remain my public journal of sorts, while the Tumblr one is reserved solely for SCI book club related topics.

Can't wait to see how it goes!