Sociopaths: Can They Be Cured

[Bartmanhomer]

EndlessCraving have requested me to do a debate on Sociopaths. Can they be cured? In my opinion I believe it's a possibly that sociopaths can be cured? It's does sounds like a long shot but I believe that sociopaths can changed their ways. What do you think?

[EndlessCravings]

Re: Sociopaths: Can They Be Cured

I meant a one on one debate, but this is fine.

[habbalah]

Re: Sociopaths: Can They Be Cured

At current, antisocial personality disorder doesn't have a lot of effective treatments. I don't know if it can be cured any more than any other mental illness, but can be handled.

[anunitu]

Re: Sociopaths: Can They Be Cured

Generally a sociopath may be that way because of a defective brain(Damaged or non functioning part) Being a physical problem,it may not be possible to alter the behavior.
They may not have ANY empathy or compassion in any form.


Sauce

[EndlessCravings]

Re: Sociopaths: Can They Be Cured

Generally a sociopath may be that way because of a defective brain(Damaged or non functioning part) Being a physical problem,it may not be possible to alter the behavior.
They may not have ANY empathy or compassion in any form.


Sauce

Or a traumatic childhood, which could cause enough stress that it damages the part of the brain that interconnects with emotions.

[Herbert]

Re: Sociopaths: Can They Be Cured

Even if it could be cured, should it be cured? While it is certainly a detriment in modern society, should you really muck around with people's personalities like that, especially if it's a reasonably manageable case?

Beyond that, it's a chemical/wiring whosiwhatsit, involving the most complex part of the human body. We might be able to cure it in a few decades, but certainly not now (and it will likely be a very expensive sort of curing, if/when it does occur).

[anunitu]

Re: Sociopaths: Can They Be Cured

An interesting thing I learned being around some people with PTSD,it seems that the damage is not completely mental,but real physical changes are etched into the brain,so it is not just memory of violent action,but physical change of the brain,why it is so hard to treat.

[EndlessCravings]

Re: Sociopaths: Can They Be Cured

Even if it could be cured, should it be cured? While it is certainly a detriment in modern society, should you really muck around with people's personalities like that, especially if it's a reasonably manageable case?

Beyond that, it's a chemical/wiring whosiwhatsit, involving the most complex part of the human body. We might be able to cure it in a few decades, but certainly not now (and it will likely be a very expensive sort of curing, if/when it does occur).

Some people with ASPD are not too fond of being like that. Usually though, the people with ASPD that are low functioning..and sometimes high-functioning end up in prison.

- - - Updated - - -

An interesting thing I learned being around some people with PTSD,it seems that the damage is not completely mental,but real physical changes are etched into the brain,so it is not just memory of violent action,but physical change of the brain,why it is so hard to treat.

Yep. I mean, talking to therapists is one thing, but there being a cure? I'm not too sure of. Talking to therapists can help you blend in with society, but even then that'll only be used for some type of gain.

[Medusa]

Re: Sociopaths: Can They Be Cured

I dunno. Let's let one go and see what happens.

[R. Eugene Laughlin]

Re: Sociopaths: Can They Be Cured

The psychiatric industry has, with exceedingly rare exception, given up on the idea of cures. The focus these days is on managing symptoms as well as possible. Most psychiatric issues relate to self-identified problems of an individual: a person is having trouble with thoughts, feelings, motivation, etc., and it interferes with their goals and plans, day-to-day function, etc. Such persons are troubled by what's going on with them.

Persons who are classified as having sociopathic personality, and indeed most of what are traditionally classified as "personality disorders," are generally not troubled by their personality traits. It's the people around them who are troubled. That makes even symptomatic management an exceptionally difficult proposition.

[EndlessCravings]

Re: Sociopaths: Can They Be Cured

I dunno. Let's let one go and see what happens.

I found that quite cute.

- - - Updated - - -

The psychiatric industry has, with exceedingly rare exception, given up on the idea of cures. The focus these days is on managing symptoms as well as possible. Most psychiatric issues relate to self-identified problems of an individual: a person is having trouble with thoughts, feelings, motivation, etc., and it interferes with their goals and plans, day-to-day function, etc. Such persons are troubled by what's going on with them.

Persons who are classified as having sociopathic personality, and indeed most of what are traditionally classified as "personality disorders," are generally not troubled by their personality traits. It's the people around them who are troubled. That makes even symptomatic management an exceptionally difficult proposition.

I have ASPD and I used to be really, really horrible. Not sure what to say but found your post pretty informative.

[Spiny Norman]

Re: Sociopaths: Can They Be Cured

EndlessCraving have requested me to do a debate on Sociopaths. Can they be cured?

I'm not aware of a cure. Possibly they can be managed.

[B. de Corbin]

Re: Sociopaths: Can They Be Cured

Clockwork Orange.

[Gleb]

Re: Sociopaths: Can They Be Cured

Generally speaking, I think it CAN be cured. Can it be cured today? I don't know... Perhaps in the future, one day.

[DragonsFriend]

Re: Sociopaths: Can They Be Cured

It will be cured when we find a way to increase the size of the hypothalamus and make the "normal" connections to the rest of the brain that are lacking in sociopaths. when we do that we will need to find someone else to sell used cars though.