More recent research has demonstrated that of those with psychopathy scores above 30, 70% had experienced severe multiple relational trauma (e.g. neglect, abuse by relatives) and all had attachment problems in childhood and adulthood (Schimmenti et al., 2014).
Traumatic exposure to domestic violence or violence in the community is linked to higher degrees of psychopathy. Dissociative symptoms as well as post-traumatic stress disorder demonstrate weak association in the development of psychopathy after a childhood trauma.
Existing research evidence suggests that exposure to trauma through various abuse in childhood may play a relevant role in the development of psychopathic traits.
Higher levels of betrayal trauma have been shown to be related to higher levels of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD; American Psychological Association, 2016) and to certain traits of psychopathy, such as impulsive and antisocial aspects (Cima, Smeets & Jelicic, 2008).
The reasons behind the disorder are not fully understood. The current belief is that psychopathy generally comes from genetic factors, such as parts of the brain not developing fully, while sociopathy results from an interruption in personality development by abuse or trauma in childhood.
Psychopaths sometimes have a genetic predisposition that makes them the way they are. There are some biological differences in the brains of psychopaths compared to the general population. Other research suggests that it is someone's upbringing that has an impact on whether they become a psychopath.
Research shows that children who have been physically or sexually abused have a greater risk of depression, suicidality, post-traumatic stress disorder, as well as antisocial personality disorder, psychopathic traits or psychopathy.
This is still considered an adult personality disorder. Long-terms studies however, show that certain children do run a higher risk for developing psychopathy later on.
Studies have shown a relationship between PTSD and antisocial personality disorder. Some studies have found that people with PTSD have higher rates of antisocial personality disorder than people without PTSD.
Research has shown that CPTSD symptoms can mimic Sociopathy Disorder, Bi-Polar Personality Disorder, just to name a couple. This has led to so many misdiagnoses.
The key question is: do these differences in the brain make someone into a psychopath, or does their behaviour change the brain? Children that show a lack of empathy, lack of guilt and have shallow emotions, defined as callous-unemotional traits, are at increased risk of developing psychopathy in adulthood.
YES, PSYCHOPATHY IS TREATABLE.
The most successful approaches to treating psychopathy are multimodal. This means they include multiple approaches at once, including psychotherapy, behavioral skills training, and recognition of the important roles of family, school, peers, and the community.
Psychopathic behaviors are also associated with injury to the cerebral cortex, which regulates memory and self-awareness, and the frontal lobe, which is responsible for self-control and judgment.
The study showed that psychopaths have reduced connections between the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC), the part of the brain responsible for sentiments such as empathy and guilt, and the amygdala, which mediates fear and anxiety.
Famous psychopaths have included: Theodore (Ted) Bundy, Clyde Barrow, Bernie Madoff, Chuck Yeager, James Bond and Sherlock Holmes. The authors presented their work in a Personality Disorders: Theory, Research and Treatment paper.
Psychopathy has frequently been associated with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) because some of their symptoms overlap. Both, patients with ADHD and individuals who score high on psychopathy, often show drug abuse, antisocial behavior, unstructured lifestyle, or sensation-seeking.
Borderline personality disorder (BPD) has long been believed to be a disorder that produces the most intense emotional pain and distress in those who have this condition. Studies have shown that borderline patients experience chronic and significant emotional suffering and mental agony.
BPD and C-PTSD are easily confused due to the overlap in symptoms. Both are characterized by general emotional distress, which can include emotional “triggers.” These triggers can cause significant reactions including dissociation, suicidal thoughts, anxiety, flashbacks, and/or depression.
The effects of exposure to trauma in childhood have repeatedly been linked to the development of maladaptive personality traits and personality disorders [1,2,3,4]. In contrast, much less is known about personality related problems that may arise in adulthood.
Although sociopathy and psychopathy cannot be diagnosed until someone is 18, one of the hallmarks of both conditions is that they usually begin in childhood or early adolescence. Usually, the symptoms appear before the age of 15, and sometimes they are present early in childhood.
ADULTHOOD (AGES 18+)
Because psychopathy is a spectrum disorder, early signs of psychopathy vary widely. Some children show hints as early as 2 or 3 years of age. In other children, signs do not appear until they are older. Signs may emerge before age 2 in some children.
Yes, research shows there are “good” psychopaths. Many people in positively heroic professions have strong psychopathic traits.
Many serial killers experience childhood trauma or early separation from their mothers. As a consequence of that trauma or separation, scientists believe, they learned to suppress empathy or suffered damage to the areas of the brain that control emotional impulses.
A psychopath doesn't accept responsibility for the problems in their lives. They see their issues as always being someone else's fault. Psychopaths frequently play the role of the victim and enjoy sharing stories about how others have taken advantage of them.
At this time, there is no research that conclusively shows that a higher percentage of abusive partners deal with mental illness or disorders (including narcissistic personality disorder) than the general population. Some abusive partners may be living with narcissistic personality disorder, but many of them are not.