What is a Psychopath?

The term “psychopathy” originated in 1891 in Germany. Psychopathy referred to antisocial behaviour. In 1959, “psychopathic disorder” became a legal category in the UK. It meant: a persistent disorder or disability of mind which results in abnormally aggressive or seriously irresponsible conduct.”

Then in the 1980’s, the American term “Sociopath” came into wide usage as it emphasised the predominantly social nature of psychopathic behaviour and may have been less stigmatising than the term “psychopath”.

In 1992, the World Health Organisation (WHO) described a sociopath as characterised by at least three of the following:

Callous concern for others , lack of empathy

persistent attitudes of irresponsibility and disregard for social norms and rules

incapacity to maintain enduring relationships but without having difficulty in establishing them

low tolerance for frustration Leading to aggression or violence

incapacity to experience guilt

tendency to blame others

persistent irritability

Sociopaths or psychopaths are people with a personality disorder . They are not suffering from mental illness yet their conduct is so abnormal but they are considered to be psychiatrically disordered …