The Sociopath 'Stare'

Whatchasay wrote:^well said. To re-state my initial post, the only people with a "Dead" stare would be murderers.. and i base that on the fact that murder changes people. Anyone can glare, or look evil.. or devoid of emotion if they want to, and.. as so eloquently stated above, 99% of the time you see what you want to see. (refer to my second post, regarding the fact that you know they're a psychopath before hand plays a huge role in what you see).

It's clear to me, anyone, at any given time, at any given place, can present all kinds of different expressions; if this wasn't true, movies, plays, and actors would not exist, so this part seems very pointless to me. My problem is much different than anything you seem to be saying, and I don't believe I have superpowers - and the possibility of me being socio is probably unlikely anyhow. To me, however, what I'm experiencing is a real problem; people, though not all, are extremely intimidated by me, and it's really bothersome because I don't want people who I need for certain things to start thinking I'm a psychopath. I can't help but have this 'void' or 'evil' facial expression on my face; I can't control this, which is why I'm trying to get insight on this. In my mind - and excuse me if my thoughts are (un)sociopathic- I don't see this as a pointless question because I'm trying to figure out what's going on with me, as I'm young and confused about myself at this present time.

tenderisthenight wrote:It's clear to me, anyone, at any given time, at any given place, can present all kinds of different expressions; if this wasn't true, movies, plays, and actors would not exist, so this part seems very pointless to me. My problem is much different than anything you seem to be saying, and I don't believe I have superpowers - and the possibility of me being socio is probably unlikely anyhow. To me, however, what I'm experiencing is a real problem; people, though not all, are extremely intimidated by me, and it's really bothersome because I don't want people who I need for certain things to start thinking I'm a psychopath. I can't help but have this 'void' or 'evil' facial expression on my face; I can't control this, which is why I'm trying to get insight on this. In my mind - and excuse me if my thoughts are (un)sociopathic- I don't see this as a pointless question because I'm trying to figure out what's going on with me, as I'm young and confused about myself at this present time.

perhaps deep down there is something about people in general(or just a few) that is getting to you and eatting away at you so you express it on your face without realizing it. just taking a wild stab in the dark

That could be the case, but I do not know. I can charm people, easily, with fake smiles and laughs - maybe charm isn't necessarily the right word, though my facial expressions, in this case, appear empathetic. However, there are obviously certain situations when appearing pleasant with smiley-faces isn't appropriate, and this is where I come off as 'evil', especially when people cry around me, as I have no idea what to really do, because I definitely don't feel anything for them. It's a real problem for me, and I don't want to go to a psychologist and possibly get a diagnosis of sociopathy(I have a lot of the signs); I guess I should practice and become a better actor myself, before this comes back to bite me in the ass.

tenderisthenight wrote:That could be the case, but I do not know. I can charm people, easily, with fake smiles and laughs - maybe charm isn't necessarily the right word, though my facial expressions, in this case, appear empathetic. However, there are obviously certain situations when appearing pleasant with smiley-faces isn't appropriate, and this is where I come off as 'evil', especially when people cry around me, as I have no idea what to really do, because I definitely don't feel anything for them. It's a real problem for me, and I don't want to go to a psychologist and possibly get a diagnosis of sociopathy(I have a lot of the signs); I guess I should practice and become a better actor myself, before this comes back to bite me in the ass.

Sounds like aspd but you'd have a better idea then me seeing as how I do not know you and I am not qualified to say. Also it seems that you know which way is up and you know what it takes to live with these charecteristics and how to deal with social situations in which you feel totally out of the emotional loop.

tenderisthenight wrote:Sociopaths are noted for their 'cold' eyes. I was wondering if any antisocials find their stare gives off any hints about themselves?

I was doing s&m with a guy I met off the net once. He had agreed to be strangled briefly because he said it arouses him. While strangling him I lost control and tried to kill him. I'm not sure if it was actual loss of control or just an impulsive action (same thing I suppose). Anyway, he started panicking and forced my hands from his neck. I regained control of myself at this point and afterwards, while discussing what had happened, he told me he saw something in my eyes while I was strangling him that scared the hell out of him.

The only stare I've heard of with any credibility is the "1,000 yard stare" that war vets and severely abused children get. Basically people who go through a lot of psychological trauma. Which I suppose could be seen as scary not because it's dangerous in itself but what it means to the people who recognize it. Which would make sense with Whatchasay's theory of murderers also having it.

kanin wrote:The only stare I've heard of with any credibility is the "1,000 yard stare" that war vets and severely abused children get. Basically people who go through a lot of psychological trauma. Which I suppose could be seen as scary not because it's dangerous in itself but what it means to the people who recognize it. Which would make sense with Whatchasay's theory of murderers also having it.

I've met people in the military with that stare. I'd describe it as more hollow and empty than scary, but I guess it depends on what scares a person.