When you hear the word sociopath, you might picture a deranged, crazy-eyed killer from a horror movie—and while you could be right, you could also be living with one and not even know it.
Medically known as Antisocial Personality Disorder, sociopaths exist on a spectrum, which means the disorder is not an all-or-nothing thing. Some people may not throw up unmistakable red flags and instead slide under the radar. However, being married to someone with sociopathic behaviors can still be a special kind of torture, and it’s common for people married to someone with the disorder to end up in front of a Durham divorce lawyer.
What Does a APD Look Like?
While you can’t generally identify people with a personality disorder by looking at them, there are a few common repeated behaviors and traits that most sociopaths exhibit. According to the Mayo Clinic, these can include:
- Ignoring right and wrong.
- Telling lies to take advantage of others.
- Not being sensitive to or respectful of others.
- Using charm or wit to manipulate others for personal gain or pleasure.
- Having a sense of superiority and being extremely opinionated.
- Having problems with the law, including criminal behavior.
- Being hostile, aggressive, violent or threatening to others.
- Feeling no guilt about harming others.
- Doing dangerous things with no regard for the safety of self or others.
- Being irresponsible and failing to fulfill work or financial responsibilities.
This isn’t a complete list, and exhibiting these traits doesn’t necessarily mean that an individual has Antisocial Personality Disorder. Many of these behaviors do result in domestic violence, whether your spouse has a diagnosis or not. To protect yourself and any children you may have, it may be time to contact a Durham divorce lawyer.
When You’re Married to a Sociopath
If you believe you’re married to a sociopath and you’re unhappy, talking to a Durham divorce lawyer can give you some fresh insight into your situation and help you identify your options.
Since Antisocial Personality Disorder is generally untreatable, and most sociopaths don’t make the emotional connections necessary to facilitate changes in behavior, you may find that divorce is a good option for you. Your spouse’s behavior may have an impact on child custody and other aspects of your divorce, and your Durham divorce lawyer can help you deal with each new issue as it arises.
