Psychopathic Behavior

A therapist friend sent this to me earlier today and I thought it was extremely interesting.

Diagnostic criteria (DSM-IV): Narcassistic Personality Disorder

The essential feature of Narcissistic Personality Disorder is a
pervasive pattern of grandiosity (either in fantasy or actual
behavior), need for admiration, and lack of empathy that begins by
early adulthood and is present in a variety of situations and
environments.

In order for a person to be diagnosed with narcissistic personality
disorder (NPD) they must meet five or more of the following symptoms:

-Has a grandiose sense of self-importance (e.g., exaggerates achievements and talents, expects to be recognized as superior without commensurate achievements)

-Is preoccupied with fantasies of unlimited success, power, brilliance, beauty, or ideal love

-Believes that he or she is "special" and unique and can only be understood by, or should associate with, other special or high-status people (or institutions)

-Requires excessive admiration

-Has a sense of entitlement, i.e., unreasonable expectations of especially favorable treatment or automatic compliance with his or her expectations

-Is interpersonally exploitative, i.e., takes advantage of others to achieve his or her own ends

-Lacks empathy: is unwilling to recognize or identify with the feelings
and needs of others

-Is often envious of others or believes that others are envious of him or her

-Shows arrogant, haughty behaviors or attitudes.

Antisocial Personality Disorder:

A) There is a pervasive pattern of disregard for and the rights of others occurring since the age of 15, as indicated by three (or more)of the following:

-failure to conform to social norms with respect to lawful behaviors as indicated by repeatedly performing acts that are grounds for arrest;

-deceitfulness, as indicated by repeatedly lying, use of aliases, or conning others for personal profit or pleasure;

-impulsivity or failure to plan ahead;

-irritability and aggressiveness, as indicated by repeated physical fights or assaults;

-reckless disregard for safety of self or others;

- consistent irresponsibility, as indicated by repeated failure to sustain consistent work behavior or honor financial obligations;

-lack of remorse, as indicated by being indifferent to or rationalizing having hurt, mistreated, or stolen from another.

B) The individual is at least 18 years of age.

C) There is evidence of Conduct disorder with onset before age 15.

D) The occurrence of antisocial behavior is not exclusively during the course of schizophrenia or a manic episode.


Anti-social + narcissistic = psychopathic.