What would you do if you knew your young child is a psychopath?

Susannahmia · 27-08-2011 06:58PM

I suppose I'd have to institutionalise them If they were dangerous. However technically a child under 18 can't be diagnosed officially with psychopathy.

Akrasia wrote: »

most psychopaths spend their lives in jail or a mental institution

Not true, 2% to 2.5% of the population are estimated to be sociopaths, most are not murderers, they just have no conscience and use people to get ahead whatever the cost on others. Many are very successful in business because of this. Most will never be "outed" or arrested of any crime.

Big Nasty · 27-08-2011 07:02PM

Ditch wrote: »

Pack him off to be educated at Columbine

Too much dude.

flutterflye · 27-08-2011 07:04PM

Bipolar Joe wrote: »

You can't really compare ASD and being a psychopath or sociopath.

And I would totally try and make them into an anti-hero, like Christian Slater in Heathers.

Is it or is it not relevant that my son lacks empathy?
What prey tell is the difference in technical terms?
I have experience of the exact thing the op is referring to, and stating how I deal with it.
The disorder is different, but both display this empathy deficit.
What is your reason for believing that the two cannot be compared?

Mahatma coat · 27-08-2011 07:06PM

If I could muster the ability to giv a **** I'd be so Proud of the little tyke.

I'd probably teach him how to pass himself off in 'normal' society so people wont realise he's different until he Shanks them

then I'd teach him the importance of a Deep grave and a good alibi

the purple tin · 27-08-2011 07:11PM

Susannahmia wrote: »

I suppose I'd have to institutionalise them If they were dangerous. However technically a child under 18 can't be diagnosed officially with psychopathy.

Not true, 2% to 2.5% of the population are estimated to be sociopaths, most are not murderers, they just have no conscience and use people to get ahead whatever the cost on others. Many are very successful in business because of this. Most will never be "outed" or arrested of any crime.

sounds like a lot of Irish politicians are sociopaths;).

Susannahmia · 27-08-2011 07:14PM

flutterflye wrote: »

Is it or is it not relevant that my son lacks empathy?
What prey tell is the difference in technical terms?
I have experience of the exact thing the op is referring to, and stating how I deal with it.
The disorder is different, but both display this empathy deficit.
What is your reason for believing that the two cannot be compared?

I think the difference is sociopaths know what is right or wrong, they just don't care.

Some people on the autistic spectrum may simply be unable to comprehend how exactly their behavior effects others and why.

Imo big difference.

Diddler1977 · 27-08-2011 07:16PM

This is a really interesting read about psychopaths.

Generally psychopaths cause the most trouble in prisons even though they are the minority of the prison population

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Psychopath-Test-Jon-Ronson/dp/0330492268

Sea Sharp · 27-08-2011 07:19PM

If he's a psychopath that doesn't mean he's doomed to a life of crime. He might just be a bit of a cun7 when he's older

flutterflye · 27-08-2011 07:24PM

Susannahmia wrote: »

I think the difference is sociopaths know what is right or wrong, they just don't care.

Some people on the autistic spectrum may simply be unable to comprehend how exactly their behavior effects others and why.

Imo big difference.

Different how?
A sociopath may 'know' right from wrong, but it's not their 'fault' that they don't care.
If they are just made that way, and someone with asd is made the way they are.
Neither is better or worse.
Both are disorders.
One is pc, and one isn't, that is all.

Anyway, I was only refering to the empathy aspect.

Chuck Stone · 27-08-2011 07:27PM

http://www.theonion.com/video/autistic-reporter-train-thankfully-unharmed-in-cra,20098/

moonlighting · 27-08-2011 07:31PM

www.imdb.com/title/tt0107034/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pP4P-VgcM4s

Bipolar Joe · 27-08-2011 07:49PM

flutterflye wrote: »

Is it or is it not relevant that my son lacks empathy?
What prey tell is the difference in technical terms?
I have experience of the exact thing the op is referring to, and stating how I deal with it.
The disorder is different, but both display this empathy deficit.
What is your reason for believing that the two cannot be compared?

Here, "prey" to tell you, is some information. First off, ASD is as the name suggests a spectrum of disorders, meaning they're one or the other; Asperger's, autism or atypical autism. Psychopathy is not in that list. Psychopathy is mostly characterised by how they enjoy making other people miserable, not a lack of empathy like a lot of people think. It's not a case of they don't know or understand, they DO understand, but they like it. Psychopaths are manipulative, cunning and usually far smarter than your average person (Note, smarter does not mean they can look at toothpicks on the floor and instantly know how many there are). They're egocentric, sadistic and actively enjoy committing crime. "Prey" tell, does any of that sound like your son?

pragmatic1 · 27-08-2011 07:52PM

flutterflye wrote: »

My son has asd.
He lacks empathy.
He only apologises or does the 'right thing' if he knows that he will be punished otherwise - so it is purely selfish.
He doesn't care if he hurts someone.
He doesn't care about anything but himself.
What do I do about it?
Try to teach him empathy of course, and hope for the best!

Big difference between autism and psychopathy

.E_C_K_S. · 27-08-2011 07:53PM

My mother asked the same question and now she's dead hahahahaha

Reamer Fanny · 27-08-2011 08:18PM

Put him down.

charlemont · 27-08-2011 08:23PM

hinault wrote: »

I'd explain to the kid that torturing animal is wrong and that if they do it again, I'd flog them.

If I caught them doing it again, I'd flog them.

Pain is an excellent way of altering kids behaviour.

Yea, I'd be sick to my stomach if my child was torturing animals, I'd kick him hard.

I'm sure lots of psychopaths grow up normal if they are from a loving family.

Dyr · 27-08-2011 08:24PM

The funny thing is if you tied a breeze block around his neck and f**ked him in the canal, they'd call you a psychopath

minidazzler · 27-08-2011 08:27PM

Akrasia wrote: »

Psychopaths are people who are born without the capacity for empathy. They are extremely likely to grow up and commit some horrendous crimes. There is no cure. most psychopaths spend their lives in jail or a mental institution or are loose in society causing devastation to innocent people around them. If you were the parent of a 8 year old who you discovered was secretly torturing animals and displaying all the symptoms of being a psychopath, what would you do?

I'm amused at how you used "extremely likely" and "most psychopaths". It's simply not true that most psychopaths commit murder, just because they don't feel empathy doesn't make them want to kill people. In fact alot of CEO's and such are psychopaths who don't care who gets in their way so they get the job done...I'd put my kid to work in business.

Joey the lips · 27-08-2011 08:31PM

As i love my kids more than my own life i would protect them at all costs.

Samich · 27-08-2011 08:33PM

I'd be more worried with finding out I have a young child :P

take everything · 27-08-2011 08:45PM

MCMLXXV wrote: »

Give him Nurofen! :pac:

Psychopathy has nothing do with psychosis.
Seroquel would do nothing.
Not having a go- it's just i hate when people confuse the two.

Solnskaya · 27-08-2011 08:50PM

charlemont wrote: »

Yea, I'd be sick to my stomach if my child was torturing animals, I'd kick him hard.

I'm sure lots of psychopaths grow up normal if they are from a loving family.

Oh the ironing. Laughed a lot at this, classic.:D

flutterflye · 27-08-2011 08:53PM

Bipolar Joe wrote: »

Here, "prey" to tell you, is some information. First off, ASD is as the name suggests a spectrum of disorders, meaning they're one or the other; Asperger's, autism or atypical autism. Psychopathy is not in that list. Psychopathy is mostly characterised by how they enjoy making other people miserable, not a lack of empathy like a lot of people think. It's not a case of they don't know or understand, they DO understand, but they like it. Psychopaths are manipulative, cunning and usually far smarter than your average person (Note, smarter does not mean they can look at toothpicks on the floor and instantly know how many there are). They're egocentric, sadistic and actively enjoy committing crime. "Prey" tell, does any of that sound like your son?

Yes, yes it does sound like my son.
Do you have an 8 year old with asd?
They are different disorders, with different causation, displaying different symptoms.
I am merely discussing the empathy aspect as I have already stated - and this aspect is not different other than how people seem to view the motive.

Bipolar Joe · 27-08-2011 08:55PM

Well then lucky you, you gave birth to a psychopath, I guess? I wish you luck explaining to your neighbour why their dog is buried in your yard with little Timmy's slobber all over it.

Solnskaya · 27-08-2011 08:55PM

Joey the lips wrote: »

As i love my kids more than my own life i would protect them at all costs.

I also prefer your kids to you. Mind you, I prefer Quaddafi's kids to you most of the time, depending on your humour. kidding.

Big Nasty · 27-08-2011 08:55PM

take everything wrote: »

Psychopathy has nothing do with psychosis.
Seroquel would do nothing.
Not having a go- it's just i hate when people confuse the two.

Psycopathy
Psychosis

What's the difference?

(Genuine question)

Mahatma coat · 27-08-2011 08:56PM

To those who say Put down the Psychopath
heres another question for you

What would you do if you knew your young Child had Down Synrome??

Bipolar Joe · 27-08-2011 08:56PM

MCMLXXV wrote: »

Psycopathy
Psychosis

What's the difference?

(Genuine question)

Psychopathy what I described, psychosis is more along the lines of schizophrenia, so on.

take everything · 27-08-2011 08:57PM

AG2R wrote: »

Make sure I don't piss them off

Genuinely nearly spat coffee over my screen.

flutterflye · 27-08-2011 08:58PM

Bipolar Joe wrote: »

Well then lucky you, you gave birth to a psychopath, I guess? I wish you luck explaining to your neighbour why their dog is buried in your yard with little Timmy's slobber all over it.

God, you're a lovely person aren't you?!
Eh, no.
My son has aspergers and adhd.
What college did you get you psychiatry phd from?

What would you do if you knew your young child is a psychopath?

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