What Is The Difference Between A Sociopath And A Narcissistic Sociopath?
Personality disorders can be hard to diagnose because some of the symptoms overlap. For example, narcissistic personality disorder (NPD), antisocial personality disorder (ASPD), also known as sociopathy, and psychopathic behaviors all share a lack of empathy as one of their defining traits.
This post will explore the similarities and differences between ASPD and NPD and whether a person can have both conditions.
What is narcissistic personality disorder?
Narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) is a mental condition where people have low self-esteem yet an inflated sense of their importance. People with narcissistic personalities lack empathy for others, crave attention, and have a deep need for admiration. Often, people with NPD have challenges in their relationships, school, or work because of their personalities.
Being in a relationship with someone who has NPD
People with NPD generally have controlling behaviors and high expectations that are difficult or impossible for others to reach. Since they perceive themselves as perfect, living up to their standards can be tricky. They often expect their partner to be perfect, too. Anything short of perfection might be a flaw in their eyes, and they are often overly critical of others. These behaviors can make it hard to date a narcissist.
If you aren't familiar with the disorder, you may not know how to spot someone with NPD. People with this condition are often able to exhibit charm in some situations, making it harder to see who they are. However, you will sometimes see their controlling tendencies, self-absorption, and lack of genuine empathy once you get to know them.
Here is a checklist of narcissistic behavior to watch for in someone if you suspect they have NPD. People with ASPD are also likely to engage in these behaviors:
- Exaggerated sense of self-importance
- Sense of entitlement
- A need for constant admiration
- Expectation of being recognized as superior even when it is not warranted
- Tendency to exaggerate achievements and talents
- Tendency to be preoccupied with fantasies about success, power, intelligence, perfect looks, or the perfect mate
- Belief that they are better than others and a desire to only associate with those of equal status
- Difficulty being happy
- Monopolizing conversations, belittling others, and looking down on those they perceive as inferior
- Expectation of special favors
- Taking advantage of others to achieve a desired outcome
- Lacking empathy for others
- Belief that everyone is envious of them
In addition, those with a narcissistic personality disorder sometimes:
- Get very angry when others do not recognize them as important
- Have significant interpersonal problems
- Easily feel slighted
- React with rage or contempt when confronted or challenged
- Have a difficult time controlling their actions and emotions
- Secretly feel insecure, vulnerable, and humiliated
Narcissistic personality disorder can be challenging to treat. People with NPD and ASPD often will not seek treatment for their behavior because they don't believe it is unhealthy. In a relationship, it will likely be hard for them to apologize, accept blame, and admit when they are wrong.
Keep in mind that narcissistic behavior is a spectrum. Some have few symptoms, while the condition severely impacts others. If you are in a relationship with someone with NPD, consider whether the relationship is healthy. Your well-being matters more than a diagnosis of NPD. If the connection is toxic or unhealthy, consider seeking help from a trusted friend or contacting a mental health professional. It's important to trust yourself and do what's best for you, even when it might be hard.
What is sociopathy?
While many people still use the term sociopath, what they are describing is antisocial personality disorder. Those with this disorder will usually display the following traits and behaviors:
- Inability to understand or empathize with other people
- Lack of guilt or remorse when they cause harm
- Manipulative behavior
- Tendency to deceive
- Impulsive behavior
- Propensity for breaking the rules
- Potentially violent
- Lying for personal gain or selfish reasons
- Controlling behavior
- Using charm to deceive
As you can see, many of these behaviors overlap with NPD, and people with ASPD always have a high level of narcissism. However, some people with NPD do not display the same antisocial behaviors as those with ASPD. For example, a person with NPD is less likely to engage in violence or illegal acts and might be more capable of feeling remorse.
What is psychopathy?
Psychopathy is not an official diagnosis in the current edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-V), a compendium of recognized mental disorders. However, many people still use the term psychopath in the media and popular culture. People who fit the description of a psychopath have similar traits as those with ASPD, which is an official diagnosis in the mental health field along with NPD.
How people with NPD are similar and different from those with ASPD
Sometimes it is hard to differentiate between someone with NPD and ASPD because the two conditions can look quite similar. Those with NPD and ASPD are similar because both they can be intelligent and successful. However, they also share the commonalities of being potentially abusive, dishonest, selfish, controlling, and unreliable. Those with ASPD can also exhibit symptoms of selfish behavior, including a lack of empathy and emotional response. However, not everyone with NPD has the same antisocial behaviors as those diagnosed with ASPD.
If you or a loved one is experiencing abuse, contact the Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). Support is available 24/7.
A significant difference between a narcissist and someone with ASPD may be the degree to which you are harmed when associating with the latter person. People with ASPD are more likely to be deceitful, calculating, and manipulative from the start of the relationship and might even get pleasure from harming others. People with narcissistic personalities, on the other hand, are less likely to hurt people purposely. Instead, any harm they cause is often a byproduct of their pursuing some goal or interest. In many cases, they care more about their needs and desires than about trying to hurt another person. In this way, someone with ASPD may be more challenging to be around and engage with, especially if you're in a relationship with them.
Is it possible to have a dual diagnosis?
Since there are often many similarities between those with NPD and ASPD, it is possible to have a dual diagnosis. A dual diagnosis is more common when someone is diagnosed separately or by two doctors who disagree. When diagnosing NPD or ASPD, those closest to the individual can help. The partner, family members, or close friends can tell the therapist which behaviors they've noticed, which may assist the doctor in deciding if ASPD, NPD, or another condition is the most appropriate diagnosis.
How can I find out whether my partner has NPD or ASPD?
If you believe you are in a relationship with someone with one of these mental health disorders, your safety and well-being are the first concern. Next, an excellent first step is to learn more about each condition and consult a professional for guidance. The subtle variations among mental disorders can make them challenging to diagnose and treat, and no single test can help diagnose someone.
Only a doctor, psychiatrist, or clinical psychologist can make an official mental health diagnosis. Nonetheless, even if you don't have a diagnosis, you can still ask yourself whether your relationship is healthy and one you want to continue. Again, only you can decide what is best for you and your mental health.
How online counseling may help
Do you know someone with an antisocial or narcissistic personality disorder? Do you feel that you could have one of these conditions? Consider speaking with a therapist through Regain, an online therapy platform. You don't have to deal with this alone. Help is available. Once you register, you can video chat, text, or call your therapist for sessions, and you can message them at any time—whenever you're feeling down or need advice—and they will respond, usually within 24 hours.
One comprehensive review of studies on Internet-based psychotherapy found that online therapy is effective and a legitimate option for receiving help from a psychotherapist.
Takeaway
Narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) and antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) share the same traits of lack of empathy, manipulative behavior, and feeling entitled. However, an antisocial personality disorder is more likely to lead to violence or illegal activity. These disorders are hard to treat because people with these conditions often do not see that they need help. However, suppose you are in a relationship with someone with one of these conditions. In that case, you can find support and relief by talking to a mental health professional at an online therapy platform like Regain.com.
What is the difference between psychopaths and sociopaths?
Sociopaths are now diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder, which is a category that many psychopaths also fit into, though the two conditions are separate. There are definite differences between the two disorders, but those differences aren’t always easy to spot. Usually, it takes a licensed mental health professional to diagnose either condition. However, the clearest distinction between the two is that psychopaths are born while sociopaths are made. So, what’s the difference in behavior that makes them so unique?
In general, people with either disorder are described as cold-hearted or indifferent. Both tend to have little remorse for their behaviors and frequently act without careful consideration of how their actions affect others. Those with sociopathy are more often described as being hot-headed and temperamental compared to those with psychopathy.
There are brain differences as well. For example, someone diagnosed with sociopathy or psychopathy might show activity and/or inactivity in certain parts of the frontal cortex unique to the condition. Both conditions are similar, but someone with sociopathy can feel slight empathy while someone with psychopathy will generally only follow societal norms to suit their agenda. The disorders are hard to tell apart, which is why only a mental health professional can make an accurate diagnosis. You can ask a licensed therapist what the difference is or do more research for more information.
Are you born a psychopath or sociopath?
The terms psychopath and sociopath are commonly interchanged because of their many similarities. Both psychopaths and sociopaths can be associated with antisocial personality disorder, which is the correct term to use when describing sociopathy. According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, there are more than a few brain differences between the two. For the purposes of this question, the terms psychopath/psychopathy and sociopath/sociopathy will be used.
Again, one difference is that psychopaths are born while sociopaths are made. Behavioral genetics research has identified numerous genetic and non-genetic anomalies inside the brains of psychopaths and sociopaths. They’ve also been able to establish a clear distinction between the two. As such, sociopathy is a term used to describe learned behaviors, habits, and perceptions that lead to cold-heartedness and a lack of empathy. However, sociopaths and psychopaths are not the same because psychopaths typically have a hereditary predisposition, while sociopaths generally do not.
What are the 3 differences between sociopaths and psychopaths?
Both psychopaths and sociopaths are associated with what’s known as an antisocial personality disorder. For the purposes of this question, the terms psychopath/psychopathy and sociopath/sociopathy will be used.
Many people want to know the difference between a psychopath and a sociopath, but understanding the distinctions can be tough if you’re not a licensed mental health provider. A sociopath and a psychopath are very different in terms of brain chemistry and causation. However, both behavioral disorders can result in manipulation and a lack of empathy. Thus, it’s important to know the difference, even if that means looking closer at certain behaviors, personality traits, and habits. There are many distinctions—but three main differences to watch out for:
Psychopaths can be extremely charming and lead a relatively normal life.
Sociopaths are usually more erratic in their habits, behaviors, and reactions.
Psychopaths are born with a genetic predisposition toward the disorder, while sociopaths are not.
To find out if you or someone you know has antisocial personality disorder, don’t diagnose them independently. Instead, seek the help of a licensed counselor for more information. Counselors have experience with sociopathy and psychopathy, and they can usually prescribe treatments and/or cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) to help.
Do sociopaths always commit crimes?
People with antisocial personality disorder aren’t inherently criminals, nor do they always manipulate or offend others. In fact, the terms sociopath and psychopath are commonly confused, so many people believe individuals with ASPD are prone to violence. This is not necessarily true. As science discovers more about people with antisocial personality disorder, we now know that they use charm instead of fear for manipulation.
Thus, crimes aren’t always committed just because someone is diagnosed with ASPD. More often than not, those with ASPD lure others in by building trust instead of breaking it. They’re more cold-hearted and calculating and more likely to live a normal life than someone with knee-jerk reactions and hostile emotions. That being said, those with antisocial personality disorder are generally considered more dangerous than those with a narcissistic personality disorder.
If you or someone you know has, or may have, antisocial personality disorder, don’t diagnose yourself or try to self-treat the condition. This is a very rare but extremely serious mental health disorder that can require intense treatment over the long term. Mental health professionals know more about what causes someone to develop ASPD, the best treatments available, and how to help someone with ASPD live a healthy and productive life.
What are the signs of a psychopath?
The signs of someone who has psychopathy aren’t always easy to spot. That’s because they often build trust to manipulate thoughts, feelings, and/or actions. Then, they may use denial and guilt to make the accuser question their assumptions. However, those are not the only signs to be aware of. In fact, most people with psychopathy come across as charming and can assimilate into everyday society to achieve their agendas. So, it’s important to work with a licensed professional to diagnose the disorder.
In general, psychopathy is characterized by a lack of compassion, empathy, or regret for behaviors or actions that affect others. It can be described as callousness or detachment, wherein the person with the condition may only feign emotions to manipulate someone else. In truth, they may have little to no conscience and thus an inability to self-correct. Therefore, many (but not all) people with psychopathy become criminals to some degree.
Interestingly, studies have shown that psychopathy is an inherited trait. Signs can be seen in early childhood, and treatments have been developed to help stop the progression of resulting behaviors. Here are 20 of the most common signs of antisocial personality disorder:
- Superficiality
- Glibness
- Delusions of grandeur
- Pathological lying
- Boredom
- Cunningness
- Shallow emotional responses
- Lack of self-control
- Promiscuity
- Parasitic tendencies
- Lack of long-term goals
- No guilt or remorse
- Impulsive behaviors
- Irresponsibility
- Blaming others for actions
- Failure to maintain relationships
- Criminal versatility
- Childhood behavioral issues
- Juvenile delinquency
- Repetitive dangerous behaviors
If you or someone you know may be living with antisocial personality disorder, consider seeking help from a licensed mental health provider.
Additional questions
What is the difference between a sociopath and a narcissistic sociopath?
A sociopath tends to struggle with forming emotional connections and can be impulsive, often disregarding others' feelings. A narcissistic sociopath, on the other hand, not only lacks empathy but also thinks very highly of themselves. They need constant admiration and might manipulate others just to keep that inflated sense of self.
How can you tell if someone has narcissistic personality disorder or is a sociopath?
A person with narcissistic personality disorder will often want praise, lots of it, and may think they’re better than everyone else. A sociopath, though, might be more reckless and less concerned about fitting in with society. Both types may manipulate others, but a narcissist usually does it to boost their ego.
How does narcissistic personality disorder impact mental health over time?
Narcissistic personality disorder can take a toll in the long run. Constantly craving validation and having trouble handling criticism can lead to anxiety, depression, and major strain on relationships. The need to always be "right" or "important" wears on both the person with NPD and those around them.
What are the key traits that highlight the difference between a sociopath and a narcissistic sociopath?
The key difference is what drives them. A sociopath’s behavior is often impulsive and uncaring, while a narcissistic sociopath does things to feed their need for validation and admiration. The narcissistic sociopath usually goes out of their way to use others for personal gain, while a sociopath may simply disregard others.
Can someone have both narcissistic personality disorder and antisocial tendencies?
Yes, someone can show traits of both narcissistic personality disorder and antisocial behavior. When these traits mix, the person can be highly manipulative and exploitative, often lacking any real empathy. It makes it tough for them to form meaningful relationships or keep any they do form.
What treatments are available for narcissistic personality disorder to improve mental health?
Therapy can make a big difference. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) helps individuals with narcissistic personality disorder understand their behavior and work on healthier ways of interacting with others. Group therapy can also help them see how their behavior affects others. Mindfulness can play a role in helping them manage emotions and build more self-awareness, which is a big step toward improving mental health.
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