4 ms·

Lack of empathy is usually when one is a sociopath not suffering from schizophrenia or autism. The problem is some people on the autism or schizophrenia spectr

Lack of empathy is usually when one is a sociopath not suffering from schizophrenia or autism. The problem is some people on the autism or schizophrenia spectrums cannot express themselves, but they have empathy and compassion, but are misunderstood by society and the news media. They just lack social skills and people skills, but can be taught them by books and therapy. Most are even nonviolent and very good people if only they were understood. Sort of like Sherlock Holmes, only Doctor Watson seemed to be able to understand him, everyone else misunderstood him and didn't want anything to do with him because they thought he was a mean jerk with no empathy. He had empathy but got rid of distractions to focus on solving crimes to save humanity from evils like Professor Moriarty and his gangs of sociopaths.

dredmorbius 13y ago
Lack of empathy is usually when one is a sociopath Yes. I didn't make that sufficiently clear. Interesting contrast in traits and psychiatric profiles you highlight in Holmes there. Nice.
- sanoli 13y ago
  I always see people using 'sociopath' as different from 'psycopath', and I also see people claim they mean the same thing, and I also see people say that neither are used anymore, technically speaking (as in psychiatrists). Anyone with formal training on the area would be kind to briefly (or not) clear this up?
  - hga 13y ago
    I don't have formal training, but as I understand it, the formal Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) diagnosis is "antisocial personality disorder" (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antisocial_personality_disorder https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antisocial_personality_disorde...). See also https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychopathy_or_sociopathy https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychopathy_or_sociopathy and in general also note the WHO's International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD), which could be a less intensely political artifact than the US DSM.

dredmorbius 13y ago

Lack of empathy is usually when one is a sociopath Yes. I didn't make that sufficiently clear. Interesting contrast in traits and psychiatric profiles you highlight in Holmes there. Nice.

sanoli 13y ago
I always see people using 'sociopath' as different from 'psycopath', and I also see people claim they mean the same thing, and I also see people say that neither are used anymore, technically speaking (as in psychiatrists). Anyone with formal training on the area would be kind to briefly (or not) clear this up?
- hga 13y ago
  I don't have formal training, but as I understand it, the formal Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) diagnosis is "antisocial personality disorder" (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antisocial_personality_disorder https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antisocial_personality_disorde...). See also https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychopathy_or_sociopathy https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychopathy_or_sociopathy and in general also note the WHO's International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD), which could be a less intensely political artifact than the US DSM.