Understanding Psychopathy and Related Disorders
Before diving into the signs, it is crucial to distinguish between psychopathy and antisocial personality disorder (ASPD). Psychopathy is a construct with two factors: primary psychopathy, which includes traits like callousness and manipulativeness, and secondary psychopathy, characterized by impulsivity and antisocial behaviors. While psychopathy itself is not a mental disorder, ASPD, which aligns more with secondary psychopathy, is a diagnosable condition in the DSM.
Conduct Disorder and Limited Prosocial Emotions
Children cannot be diagnosed with ASPD until they are 18 years old. Instead, they may be diagnosed with conduct disorder, particularly if they display callous unemotional traits, which are referred to as “limited prosocial emotions” in the DSM. Approximately 20% of children with these traits may develop psychopathy as adults.
Eleven Signs a Child Might Be at Risk for Psychopathy
- Bedwetting and Inappropriate Urination
- Bedwetting can be a sign of trauma, while urinating on furniture or other people may indicate a desire for domination or aggression.
- Arson and Fascination with Fire
- A progression from a fascination with flames to setting fires, potentially leading to arson, can be indicative of deeper issues.
- Hurting Small Animals
- This is one of the most disturbing signs, often starting with violent behavior towards stuffed animals and potentially progressing to real animals.
- Cheating and Stealing from Friends
- Unlike typical childhood stealing, taking items from friends or neutral individuals indicates a significant boundary issue and lack of empathy.
- Ignoring Another Child Who is Crying
- This behavior suggests an inability to recognize or respond to distress in others, a trait linked to future aggression.
- Dominance Over Authority Figures
- Behaviors such as attacking teachers or police officers, especially when weapons are involved, are severe indicators.
- Committing Crimes Alone
- Children committing crimes without peer pressure show a higher level of antisocial behavior and independence in their wrongdoing.
- Desire to See Disturbing Images
- A fascination with violence, accidents, or death, even without causing it, is a worrying sign.
- Fearlessness of Consequences
- A lack of fear of punishment or physical pain, coupled with a quick return to bad behavior after punishment, suggests a lack of deterrence.
- Bullying Other Children
- The desire to instill fear in others, not just dominate or take from them, indicates deeper issues with empathy and aggression.
- Poor Parenting
- Neglect, abuse, or cold, critical parenting are significant risk factors. Conversely, children with psychopathic traits can also negatively impact parenting practices.
Treatment and Hope
There is some success in treating callous unemotional traits, especially with early intervention. However, many believe that true recovery is about adjusting to societal norms rather than eliminating psychopathy entirely. This adjustment allows individuals to function within societal rules, reducing criminal behavior but not necessarily increasing empathy.