The core

Hello,
I've been an off and on visitor to this site for years, though just recently registered. I have a question. What do you think or feel the 'core essence' of so-called 'psychopathy' is? I'm not talking about parroted back DSM or Hare definitions. I'm talking about what you feel, on a core, basic level, separates those with this disorder from those who do not have it.
Thanks in advance for your time.

I feel ripped off.

I'm fairly sure my core got eaten by one of the other mes cores.. which got lost along the way home.. it's all so confusing.

Good question, nice thread.

The core of me is animal. I feel it burning inside, constantly waiting to get out and sometimes it's stronger than others.

I can focus on the essence of it and it raises a feeling of euphoria but also an intense aggression and if focused on too long, rage.

When I was young and in my teens I would house sit for a relative who lived in the heart of Wales and take care of her dog, which I used to walk for hours a day.

I would often walk into the hills away from everyone and indulge this feeling. I would stay in the hills for hours, and on more than one occasion I would stay through the night.

Writing this now I can feel it stirring, but it needs to go back in its box.

Core essence? Is that like some hippie thing? :­P

I know that it's a vague question, but I wanted to ask it because sometimes people forget that diagnostic criteria are written from the outsiders perspective, looking in. It'd be weird for someone with this disorder to describes themselves as "glib" or "superficial", for instance. That's what the diagnoser may perceive, but they're only getting a partial picture because it's impossible to jump inside the mind of another.
In fact, many times, I think that the perception of the diagnoser is totally and blatantly wrong. As an example, so-called "psychopaths" can and do feel guilt. It's certainly not processed or expressed the way it is with most people, but that doesn't mean it's absent. Those of you who legitimately have this, tell me I'm wrong?

Justonemoreperson: Thanks. You were the person I most wanted to answer this question, and you understood exactly what I was asking.

Greatem: Yeah, that's a good way to put it. Stripped of all diagnostic criteria, what is that fundamental "thing" separating psychopaths from others?

LordOfEchoes wrote:I know that it's a vague question, but I wanted to ask it because sometimes people forget that diagnostic criteria are written from the outsiders perspective, looking in. It'd be weird for someone with this disorder to describes themselves as "glib" or "superficial", for instance. That's what the diagnoser may perceive, but they're only getting a partial picture because it's impossible to jump inside the mind of another.

That's one of the more intuitive observations I've seen in this forum for some time.

In fact, many times, I think that the perception of the diagnoser is totally and blatantly wrong. As an example, so-called "psychopaths" can and do feel guilt. It's certainly not processed or expressed the way it is with most people, but that doesn't mean it's absent.

Anyone can decide if guilt is required. I will often upset my wife because I have a very limited understanding of what she feels. When she tells me she's upset I will often do what I can to fix the issue if I feel it's valid.
I've discussed "guilt" with her on a number of occasions and I do not feel what she feels, but I do recognise when a situation needs to be repaired, and the need to repair it is sometimes compelling.

justonemoreperson wrote:Anyone can decide if guilt is required. I will often upset my wife because I have a very limited understanding of what she feels. When she tells me she's upset I will often do what I can to fix the issue if I feel it's valid.
I've discussed "guilt" with her on a number of occasions and I do not feel what she feels, but I do recognise when a situation needs to be repaired, and the need to repair it is sometimes compelling.

You have no idea how much I identify with that example, lol.
Let me put the thing about guilt another way, though. I think that there is a "duty" people with this disorder have to something - maybe just to one very specific person or thing, or to a group of such people or things - that, if violated, does produce guilt. I mean, maybe it's not actually guilt. How can a person know what 'guilt' even IS if they can't feel it, after all? Even if not guilt, it's something in the same ballpark.
Am I making sense, or totally out in left field? And that last question goes out to anyone.

LordOfEchoes wrote: I think that there is a "duty" people with this disorder have to something - maybe just to one very specific person or thing, or to a group of such people or things - that, if violated, does produce guilt. I mean, maybe it's not actually guilt. How can a person know what 'guilt' even IS if they can't feel it, after all? Even if not guilt, it's something in the same ballpark.
Am I making sense, or totally out in left field? And that last question goes out to anyone.

I can only speak for myself, but this is true. I have my immediate family and some friends where I recognise this duty and I follow through on it. I wouldn't say guilt, but I can't really comment. To me it's a principle which I've chosen to accept and has become habit to the point where I react to it being breached.

I think it's present in people who have recognised the need to develop coping behaviour; a created code or set of principles by which to live. I also recognise when others don't live by similar principles. Ironically, I often find that I'm more consistent with this than others as they tend to flap their arms and get overly emotional over things which affects their behaviour.

It doesn't make any difference to how I feel inside and it has no effect on my inability to feel what others consider guilt, love etc, but it does act as a benchmark in day to day life.

-- 01 Aug 2012, 21:37 --

What's your background?

I think you're exactly right about coping behavior. Like, spot on.
My only background is that I think there is a strong possibility that I have this disorder.