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Sociopath Vs. Narcissist: What’s the Difference?
What is the difference between narcissist and sociopath behaviors? Are these people dangerous to society? What is a narcissistic sociopath? If you have had to interact with people who exhibit weird behavior often associated with personality disorders, you know how frustrating it is – sociopaths and narcissists are often inconsistent, deceitful, and toxic towards their families and friends.
In this article, we will look at the most common traits of sociopaths and narcissists, learn to recognize these personality disorders, and find out if it is possible for a single individual to combine the characteristics of a narcissist and a sociopath.
How to Identify a Sociopath
Sociopathy Signs & Symptoms
| Sign | Description |
| Disobedience and Defiance | Sociopaths often disregard laws and rules – they may have a tendency to commit crimes and act against socially accepted moral principles |
| Impulsivity | Another trait that gets sociopaths in trouble is their desire to act on their impulses without thinking about the consequences of their decisions and the pain it could cause other people |
| Lack of Guilt and Remorse | There is a certain absence of any feelings of regret and guilt when it comes to sociopath behavior – they do not feel empathy towards other people |
| Physical and Verbal Aggression | Fights and physical violence are some of the most evident symptoms of sociopathy. Sociopaths also engage in verbal altercations to the point of emotional abuse |
Common Sociopath Behaviors
Instead of trying to recognize a so-called sociopath face, it is necessary to focus on the actions of the person you suspect might be a sociopath:
- A sociopath often lies for their own selfish purposes – they are ruthless and will not be held back by reservations you would expect from others.
- A sociopath will fake suicidal ideations and threaten to end their life to make another person do what they want.
- A sociopath rarely learns from their own mistakes, and any punishment used against them is usually in vain.
- A sociopath will experience trouble in various areas of life that require responsibility such as keeping a job, paying their bills on time, or maintaining a lasting relationship.
How to Identify a Narcissist
Narcissism Signs & Symptoms
| Sign | Description |
| Arrogance | This is one of the most obvious symptoms of narcissism – while self-confidence is a positive trait, arrogance makes the narcissist feel they are superior to every person around them, which is manifested in various assumptions and claims that often are not based in reality |
| Lack of Empathy | A narcissist will struggle to understand the feelings of another individual especially when the latter is going through a difficult time – they lack emotional awareness and are often highly critical of others |
| Obsession With Achievements | For a narcissist, the most valuable accomplishment in life can be measured with money or success – many of them are obsessed with achieving new heights in their careers to the detriment of their personal lives |
| Manipulation | A narcissist will trick others into believing them so that they can reach their objectives – they are good liars and can influence and control other people to their advantage |
Common Narcissist Behaviors
It is possible to spot narcissistic behavior – look for the following behavioral patterns:
- A narcissist will feel and act entitled – they believe they are worthy of special treatment and must be rewarded while others do not deserve the same praise.
- A narcissist thrives on admiration – they must be validated by others to feel themselves important.
- A narcissist is impatient and will not tolerate the slightest mistakes made by other people – they are often unwilling to forgive small errors while they expect to be forgiven for their missteps.
- A narcissist will hold grudges – they will feel resentful even towards the people they are closest with.
Sociopathy Vs. Narcissism
There are obvious distinctions between narcissists and sociopaths – here is an overview of the traits that are different:
| Narcissists | Sociopaths |
| A narcissist is not necessarily against spending time with other people but they are extremely selfish and believe themselves to be the best person in any room | A sociopath is antisocial – they vehemently dislike the company of other people and prefer to be alone |
| A narcissist wants to know what others think about them and feels pleased when they learn that others consider them smart or capable | A sociopath does not care for other people and their opinion of them |
| A narcissist may experience a feeling of guilt or remorse if they hurt someone with their actions | A sociopath feels no remorse or empathy |
| A narcissist is rarely breaking the law – their efforts are concentrated on achieving success but generally they will abide by the laws | A sociopath is not above breaking the law – they will experience various legal troubles from a young age because they do not care about the rules imposed on them by society |
| A narcissist will lie and manipulate to achieve their main goal – to affirm their self-importance | A sociopath is prepared to lie and manipulate just for the sake of lying and manipulating – they find pleasure in deceiving others |
How Are Sociopaths and Narcissists Similar?
Despite all the differences between narcissists and sociopaths, they share certain traits which make it difficult for others to recognize a particular personality disorder:
- Both narcissists and sociopaths can be very charming – they use their positive qualities to change the way other people perceive them even if these qualities are superficial or completely made-up.
- While a sense of superiority is a defining characteristic of a narcissist, it is rather common among sociopaths as well – they do not like interacting with other people because they believe themselves to be better than them and above them.
- Both sociopaths and narcissists engage in relationships based on manipulation and exploitation – they will use someone for financial gain or become friends with another person just because they like to be praised or need the financial security this bond gives them.
- Narcissists and sociopaths alike are at risk of developing mood disorders and substance abuse disorders – when they fail at something, they often self-medicate with alcohol and drugs to feel better, and they can become easily depressed when their attempts to manipulate or use other people to feel good are unsuccessful.
Can Someone Be a Sociopath and a Narcissist?
It is possible for someone to be a sociopathic narcissist – look for the signs of either personality disorder when you analyze the behavior of a particular person. Note that not all narcissistic individuals are sociopaths yet the reverse situation is common. Sociopaths are ready to manipulate others and lie to get what they want as well as demonstrate an inflated sense of importance.
Seeking Help for Personality Disorders
A personality disorder is a mental illness that should be taken seriously – people diagnosed with this condition are often stressed, fail to understand emotions, allow impulsivity to dictate their behavior, and cannot relate to other people in meaningful ways.
Whether you are a narcissist or a sociopath, the condition will affect your personal and professional life. Still, a personality disorder can be managed as long as the individual is willing to seek professional help. If you or someone you know well is struggling with a particular personality disorder or exhibiting toxic behavioral patterns, reach out to Treat Mental Health – we can explain to you the “sociopath vs. narcissist” conundrum and select the mental health treatment required in your case.
FAQs
What is the difference between a sociopath and a narcissist?
The main difference between a narcissist and a sociopath lies in the level of manipulation these individuals are capable of – a sociopath is prepared to use any tactics to influence someone while it is less important for a narcissist who is generally focused on themselves and their own talents and achievements however meaningless those are.
What are sociopath traits?
Inability to accept responsibility, lack of concern for the consequences of their actions, disregard for societal norms and rules, failure to maintain long-term relationships, and attempts to intimidate others with physical violence or verbal abuse are the most common traits of a sociopath.
Can narcissists be good people?
Although it may be difficult for a narcissist to regulate their emotions and change the way they behave, it is not beyond the realm of possibility for them to work on their behavior and change for the best. They can have self-confidence without manipulating others and they can learn to show empathy to other people and relate to their experiences.
What are the red flags of a sociopath?
If you suspect you may deal with a sociopath, pay attention to the following red flags: intense mirroring, an abundance of sympathy stories, gaslighting and denial of facts, constant excuses, and attempts to undermine your own self-confidence to make you depend on them.
Can a sociopath fall in love?
Despite misconceptions that surround sociopaths, they are capable of loving others just like people with no mental health conditions. Even though a sociopath may have a diminished ability to put themselves in another person’s shoes and their definition of love is different from a more conventional one, it is possible for them to bond with another individual and have a romantic relationship that makes both partners happy.
