General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: I came to the realization that my sister doesn't like my children. [View all]Xithras
(16,191 posts)Psychopaths and sociopaths (technically Antisocial Personality Disorder and Dissocial Personality Disorder) have the same underlying mental state, but the difference is in how they express it. Psychopaths like to hurt and kill people, commit crimes, and generally cause havoc. Sociopaths simply don't give a damn about anyone but themselves. Both conditions are built on the fact that the person can't make empathetic or social connections with others.
The unfortunate plight of most sociopaths is that they end up alone and miserable through no fault of their own. It's a mental disease like any other, and as you correctly stated, there is no cure and nothing they can really do about it. They were born broken, and they will die broken.
My brother in law is a textbook sociopath. I've always felt a bit sorry for him, but I still don't let him in or near my home.