Psychopathy
Psychopathy is a mental health condition characterized by persistent antisocial behavior, impaired empathy and remorse, and bold, disinhibited, and egotistical traits. Different conceptions of psychopathy have been used throughout history that are only partly overlapping and may sometimes be contradictory.
| Psychopathy | |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation |
|
| Specialty | Psychiatry, clinical psychology, criminology |
| Symptoms | Boldness, superficial charm, pathological lying, lack of empathy or remorse, inclination to violence and psychological manipulation, impulsivity, narcissism |
| Causes | Genetic and environmental issues, such as neglect or abuse by parental figures. |
| Risk factors | Family history, parental neglect, abuse, or psychological manipulation of the affected child |
| Differential diagnosis | Antisocial personality disorder, narcissistic personality disorder, sexual sadism disorder, psychosis, other psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia, schizotypal disorder, or schizoaffective disorder |
| Prevention | Proper care of children |
| Treatment | Very few accepted treatments. Use of psychotherapy is accepted, though benefits are weak. |
| Medication | None |
| Prognosis | Poor |
| Personality disorders |
|---|
| Cluster A (odd) |
| Cluster B (dramatic) |
| Cluster C (anxious) |
| Not otherwise specified |
| Depressive |
| Others |
Hervey M. Cleckley, an American psychiatrist, influenced the initial diagnostic criteria for antisocial personality reaction/disturbance in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), as did American psychologist George E. Partridge. The DSM and International Classification of Diseases (ICD) subsequently introduced the diagnoses of antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) and dissocial personality disorder (DPD) respectively, stating that these diagnoses have been referred to (or include what is referred to) as psychopathy or sociopathy. The creation of ASPD and DPD was driven by the fact that many of the classic traits of psychopathy were impossible to measure objectively. Canadian psychologist Robert D. Hare later repopularized the construct of psychopathy in criminology with his Psychopathy Checklist.
Although no psychiatric or psychological organization has sanctioned a diagnosis titled "psychopathy", assessments of psychopathic characteristics are widely used in criminal justice settings in some nations and may have important consequences for individuals. The study of psychopathy is an active field of research. The term is also used by the general public, popular press, and in fictional portrayals. While the abbreviated term "psycho" is often employed in common usage in general media along with "crazy", "insane", and "mentally ill", there is a categorical difference between psychosis and psychopathy.