For those working in the mental health field… and others interested in this fascinating area of psychology.

Do you know the difference between a Psychopath and a Sociopath?
 
One of the most common misconceptions, even in the mental health field, is that they are one and the same…with essentially the same diagnosis.
 
Unless you are specialised in researching or working in this area, it can be a murky place to delve into.  While both share some distinctly similar features, the behavioural patterns and lifestyle choices are often separate and strikingly different.
 
So what is the difference??   Well, the first clue is in the name of each:
sociopath and psychopath.

In a previous newsletter I talked about the ongoing confusion around the differences between a psychopath and a sociopath.   
Often, even mental health professionals use these terms interchangeably – as though they are talking about the same thing.  However, to add to the confusion, many people also believe that Psychopathy is the same thing as Antisocial Personality Disorder, one of the most common psychological issues found in the residents of our prisons!

So let’s have a look at Antisocial Personality Disorder or ASPD and how how we get to this point of confusion…after all, we as mental health professionals should be adequately trained to know our ‘paths’ when we encounter one.