What is social phobia and who are social phobics? The difference between a social phobe and a sociopath

Sociopathy (dissocial personality disorder) is a term that has recently appeared in psychiatry and denotes a persistent disturbance of a person’s character, which complicates his social adaptation, accompanied by a disregard for foundations and norms. Literally it can be translated as “socio” - society, “pathia” - disease. Literally, sociopathy is “a social disease, a violation of relationships with people.” Sociopaths are distinguished by aggressive behavior, bad character, and inability to build relationships with others. Today, the term “sociopathy” is fashionable thanks to various films and TV series about heroes who “go beyond” social rules. During the development of domestic psychiatry and psychology, scientists used another term: “psychopathy.” Within this disorder, their types are distinguished according to different classifications, but the following characteristics remain the same:

• persistence of manifestations of violation (they do not go away);
• totality (the violation affects the entire personality as a whole, and not individual mental functions);
• violation of social adaptation.

The line separating psychopathy and sociopathy is very arbitrary. And it lies in the origin of the disorder (etiology). Psychopathy is traditionally considered more of a congenital disorder, in which there are specific features in the structure of the brain and/or disruption of biochemical and metabolic processes that cause behavioral problems. Sociopathy has more social causes in origin - a destructive family, chronic psychotrauma, deprivation of affection and care in early childhood, a distorted type of upbringing, etc.

Etiology of sociopathy

There is no consensus among doctors and scientists about why sociopathy occurs. Experts name the following causes of the disorder:

• heredity;
• mistakes in education;
• problems in society;
• copying the behavior of a person suffering from this illness: imitation of an individual who is in a close environment - family or friends.

As a rule, the reasons act in combination, “layering” on each other, so it is extremely difficult to single out one factor.

What other mental disorders is social phobia combined with?

It is known that about 65% of social phobias have mental problems, most often they coexist with depressive disorder and various addictions. For example, chronic alcoholism, when trying to overcome their fear of communication and public speaking, patients resort to “emancipation” with the help of alcoholic beverages. In addition, almost 50% of social phobics suffer from benzodiazepine addiction. In addition, some individuals with social phobia engage in various ritualistic behaviors (mental or behavioral) to prevent or reduce negative consequences before upcoming social interactions. Such intrusive thoughts and actions lead to obsessive-compulsive neurosis.

Quite often, social phobia is accompanied by attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. A high degree of comorbidity of social phobia (combination with other pathological conditions) is observed in patients with panic attacks (33%), suicide attempts (23%), and post-traumatic stress disorder (36%). In addition, it was noted that social phobia preceded chronic alcoholism in 75% of patients, panic attacks in 61% and in 90% of patients with depression. There is evidence that social phobia may be associated with bipolar disorder and autism.

Types of Sociopaths

Individuals with dissocial disorder are divided into two types:

1. Passive.
2. Active.

The first type includes calm and silent people, characterized by good behavior due to fear of being punished. Such individuals are aware of the consequences of their actions and restrain themselves. A provoked individual of the passive type behaves very violently. This type adapts more easily to society, and psychotherapy in this case is more effective. The active type cannot restrain himself. Such people want to attract everyone's attention and are characterized by conflict, fights and aggression.

Why do they become misanthropes?

It’s worth saying right away that dislike for people and negative traits has nothing to do with illness and mental disorders. Let's highlight the main reasons why people become misanthropes:

1. Psychological trauma received in childhood. Such violations can cause people to lose faith in humanity as they grow up. Many begin to live with the idea that it is better to live alone than to face betrayal, aggression and other terrible manifestations of society.
2. Bad Education. Many parents, unfortunately, miss the moment in raising their child when they need to convey information about the peculiarities of communication and life in society.
3. Developed intelligence allows you to quickly identify narrow-minded and stupid people. Here it becomes quite justified that many great minds of the past were misanthropes.

Manifestation of sociopathy

From the moment of manifestation, sociopathy usually persists throughout the rest of life. A distinctive feature of sociopaths is considered to be destructive behavior towards the environment and towards oneself. Such people often suffer from alcoholism, drug addiction, and lead a promiscuous sex life. Individuals with dissocial disorder are unable to plan long-term. Restriction of freedom and suppression of desires are tolerated negatively by them. They may threaten others and use force. Sociopaths are excellent at manipulating other people. Since they do not understand interpersonal relationships and are not afraid to offend or hurt another person, they view others as means to obtain the desired result. Individuals with dissocial disorder always try to dominate others. What others want and feel is of no concern to them. At the beginning of communication, sociopaths leave a good impression. They can behave well and observe standards of decency as long as they feel their own benefit.

Misanthrope and introvert

Introverts (from the Latin intra - inside and verto - turn, turn) are people who are more interested in studying their own inner world than the external world.

Perhaps the main distinguishing feature of introverts is that communicating with other people or simply being around people takes away their vital energy. Introverts feel empty and deprived of strength after prolonged interaction with people.

Introverts look at the outside world through the prism of their inner world. They tend to deeply analyze emotions, feelings, words and actions. As a rule, these are people who can go for a long time without communicating with other people. But at the same time, they do not abandon society and relationships.

Unlike misanthropes, introverts do not hate people. Rather, fatigue and emptiness if communication is too frequent or prolonged.

Introverts, like misanthropes, carefully select their social circle, but their friends can also be extroverts (as opposed to introverts - open, sociable people who draw energy from interacting with people).

Signs of sociopathy

If the disease is hereditary, then the first signs of sociopathy appear in the child in the preschool period. The symptoms of sociopathy (dissocial disorder) are expressed vividly. This is explained by the fact that a preschooler cannot understand his benefit by observing the norms and rules of good behavior. Such children lack the experience to control their impulsiveness. Therefore, their antisocial behavior is often accompanied by negative actions characterized by cruelty. They torture animals, can even kill them, and bully peers and younger children. Children's disobedience manifests itself in such actions as screaming, biting, fits of anger, running away from home, and wandering. A preschooler never demonstrates tenderness towards his family. The older the child gets, the more he learns to disguise himself, his behavioral manners become tougher, his actions become more sophisticated. If parents react incorrectly, this behavior can become even more entrenched and worsen. It is very important to develop an adequate parenting style, since childhood is the period when the child is most sensitive to social norms; he copies behavior subconsciously. This is intended by human nature. It is possible and necessary to influence the development of sociopathy and mitigate its manifestations in childhood. By adolescence, the symptoms of a personality disorder begin to “bloom”: a teenager may begin to leave home, steal, severely beat other people, demonstrate pseudo-suicide attempts in order to receive benefits from relatives. There is a very high probability of various chemical and non-chemical dependencies, etc.

Misanthrope and social phobe

Social phobia (from Latin socius - general, and other Greek φόβος (phobos) - fear) is a disorder, pathology, expressed in a person’s fear of crowds of people. Fear of doing or saying something in front of a group of people. Fear of speaking in public is one of the signs of social phobia.

A social phobe is a person who suffers from social anxiety.

The main feeling that a social phobe experiences is fear. Unlike misanthropes, whose strongest feeling is hatred/contempt.

Read more about what Empathy is.

Diagnosis of sociopathy

Only after a thorough history can a person be diagnosed with dissocial disorder. The specialist records a stable lack of unity in most activities, emotional instability, attacks of aggression and poor control of actions. Symptoms of sociopathy include:

• lack of assessment of one's behavioral manners;
• disrespectful attitude towards people;
• refusal to accept generally accepted norms and laws.

This illness differs from the following mental illnesses:

• bipolar affective disorder;
• schizophrenia;
• neurosis;
• various manias.

How do people feel about misanthropes?

People are different, and accordingly, they can relate to misanthropes very differently. This is a wide range of emotions: from categorical rejection to desperate pity. However, misanthropes are no different from us. They are ordinary people, with their own special understanding of this world and people. Therefore, you should not be overly aggressive towards misanthropes. You cannot know what event caused this behavior. This means you cannot judge a person for right or wrong behavior.

Examination criteria

Sociopathy can be assumed if the following manifestations are present:

• predisposition to hostility that develops into violence;
• lack of feelings of guilt and the ability to draw conclusions from one’s own negative experiences;
• indifference to the feelings of loved ones, lack of empathy;
• ignoring moral principles, social rules and norms of behavior;
• strong denial;
• avoidance of any relationships and helplessness in maintaining them;
• accusing people around you for no reason, making unfounded claims;
• The individual welcomes conflict situations, so he often creates them himself.

All of the above symptoms are not always clearly expressed, sometimes they have a partial manifestation.

Additional symptoms of sociopathy that are of great importance when making a diagnosis:

1. Predisposition to deception. An antisocial personality easily lies, manipulates people, and enjoys his actions.
2. Frequent arrests of individuals by law enforcement agencies or public charges resulting from disobedience to the country's laws and authorities, as well as moral and ethical standards.
3. Fights, protests, manifestations of irritability and aggression towards other people.
4. Committing unjustified and risky actions.
5. Involuntary antics in behavior and communication.
6. Constant irresponsible attitude towards compliance with the regime and external requirements, financial obligations (for example, work from 09:00 to 17:00).
7. Receiving joy from the discomfort caused and damage caused to others.

How to determine that a person is socially phobic, what symptoms of social phobia can you name?

According to the International Classification of Diseases, 10th edition (ICD-10), the main criterion for social phobia is an irrational (illogical) obsessive fear of being the center of attention or performing certain actions in public. At the same time, the patient tries to avoid any situations that cause fear and anxiety, is wary of even entering into professional contact, and thereby deprives himself of the opportunity for career advancement, creative development and making the right fateful decisions. This is why social phobia is often called the disease of lost opportunities.

The symptoms of social phobia can be divided into changes affecting such areas of life as: ● Cognitive functions. ● Behavioral reactions. ● Physiological manifestations. Cognitive impairments in social phobia, the signs and main manifestations of which are associated primarily with thinking, memory and concentration, come down to the following symptoms: ● Reduced ability to concentrate due to constant focus on one’s fear, oneself and one’s behavior. ● Inability to control your emotions and thoughts, a feeling of emptiness in your head due to the lack of constructive thoughts. ● Increased demands on oneself, hyperbolic self-criticism. ● Constant mental replay of situations that are “dangerous” for self-esteem and one’s own behavior at the same time, fantasies about the complete fiasco of one’s intentions. ● Panic fear of criticism and condemnation from the immediate environment, employees, superiors, business partners. ● The desire to always and everywhere appear to be a cultured and exemplary person, to adapt to the opinion of the majority, and to hide one’s personal attitude towards the situation and people. In fact, a social phobe is a person in a case who is most afraid of being thought badly of. ● Constant mental “playing out” of situations, thinking through plans and moves in response to the reaction of the environment. ● Strong feelings after an “alarming” situation, fears about one’s behavior, fear that it looked ridiculous or funny. The emotions experienced during this self-analysis constantly “harass” the social phobic, sometimes even preventing him from falling asleep.

Due to a pathological phobia, a person often behaves awkwardly, inappropriately, says absurd things or is off topic, and comes up with obviously fantastic stories. At the same time, all the external signs of fear are present - arms crossed on the chest, lowered eyes, redness of the face, trembling and unclear speech.

Behavioral symptoms of social phobia: ● A state similar to stupor when being in society. ● Awkwardness, an irresistible desire to hide or run away from communication. ● Inability to look into the eyes of the interlocutor, downcast gaze. ● Irritability and unreasonable tearfulness. ● Frequent mood changes. ● Avoidance of contacts with people, extreme wariness when meeting a new person. Physiological symptoms of social phobia: ● Tremor of the limbs, including the so-called tremors in the knees. ● Chills. ● Motor incoordination, for example, in the form of a gait disorder if a person thinks that he is walking incorrectly or walks past a group of people. ● Hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating). ● Tachycardia (rapid heartbeat). ● Nausea. ● Difficulty and increased breathing, feeling of lack of air. ● Pauresis (inability to urinate and even mention it in front of strangers).

In practice, this means that a person avoids public toilets and is even afraid to ask the driver to stop the bus to empty his bladder. For such people, it is preferable for him to burst than for their reputation. With extreme fear and anxiety, a panic attack may develop, leading to sudden surges in blood pressure, chest pain, numbness of the limbs, and even loss of consciousness. Such a vegetative crisis can last from several minutes to half an hour, and if it occurs constantly, it can result in neurosis and/or depression. In conclusion, I want to say that ordinary shyness and dislike of public appearances are not yet a sign of social phobia; they can simply be character traits formed during upbringing in the family and school. But when the fear of communicating with people and anxiety take on an obsessive form, occupy almost all of a person’s thoughts, interfere with his social adaptation and the implementation of life plans, then we can say that he has social phobia. And what is paradoxical is that inside a social phobe there is often a sociophile who would like social recognition, numerous friends and entertainment. But the sociophobe’s fear of being humiliated and insulted, misunderstood and unrecognized in society prevents him from realizing his desires to be society’s favorite. This is the deep internal conflict between thirst and fear of being seen, which can ultimately lead to serious mental disorder. Is it possible to cope with social phobia on your own or do you need professional help to overcome it? The answers to these questions will be the topic of the next conversation.

Prevention

Since the etiology of dissocial personality disorder has not been fully studied, there are no preventive measures for this disorder. It can only be noted that sociopaths need a favorable environment. The child should feel the attention, care, affection, kindness and tender attitude of his parents. It is important that the child’s mother and father set a positive example of relationships - respect for all family members, no power or aggression. The child must understand what role people play in relationships.

Books about misanthropes

There is a lot of interesting literature that talks about who a misanthrope is, his life characteristics, and so on. Suggests dwelling on some works:

1. “Contemplating dogs” I. Edelfeldt
   . The hero of the novel is unsociable; he prefers to communicate with dogs rather than people. This novel can be called a letter that he writes to his psychiatrist.
2. “Steppenwolf” by G. Hesse
   . A novel that examines the psychology of a person searching for himself. He criticizes society and rushes between the animal and human principles.
3. “The Wild Life of Gondwana” D. Gorchev
   . This book also contains misanthropic stories, black humor and absurd situations.

Correction (treatment) of sociopathy

As mentioned above, the greatest effectiveness of correction of sociopathy is achieved in childhood. Parents are not recommended to aggressively combat sociopathic manifestations in preschoolers; it is better to immediately contact a psychotherapist or clinical psychologist to develop the most appropriate parenting strategy. Dissocial personality disorder is difficult to treat. The reason for this is the lack of ability to criticize their behavior and the reluctance of sociopaths themselves to turn to a specialist. It is difficult for a psychotherapist to establish a connection with a sociopath, which is important for proper therapy, since the client himself does not want to change anything. If the form of deviation has mildly expressed symptoms of an aggressive nature, those suffering from sociopathy can consult a specialist themselves. Usually they complain about the difference with other people, a different type of thinking, a feeling of lack of important moments in life, etc. This is an excellent therapeutic request that medical psychologists and psychotherapists at the Ember Center successfully work with, provided that the client himself is aware of the need to receive help. The Ember Center successfully works with the correction of dissocial personality disorder. Our psychotherapeutic course is aimed at strengthening family ties, observing traditions, and developing respect for laws, norms of behavior and rules.

Definitions

What is sociopathy

The scientific definition is as follows. This is a mental personality disorder characterized by a triad of main features - asociality, non-recognition of social norms and inability to attach and empathize. Often accompanied by impulsiveness and uncontrollable aggression. In psychotherapy and psychiatry, the following concepts are synonymous with sociopathy:

• antisocial psychopathy;
• antisocial personality disorder;
• heboid psychopathy;
• dissocial personality disorder;
• psychopathy;
• personality disorder of the emotionally incapacitated.

In ICD-11, this diagnosis is listed under code 6D11.2.

Who is a sociopath

A sociopath is a person who suffers from dissocial personality disorder, is clinically incapable of adapting to society, is characterized by deviant behavior, and lacks a critical perception of his words and actions. He is driven solely by his own interests and desires. Those around him are only a means to achieve them. He doesn’t feel any affection, sympathy, much less love for anyone.

According to the American Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), sociopath and psychopath are synonymous in psychotherapy. In simple terms, this is a person who does not perceive the rules of behavior in society due to mental inability to ordinary feelings.

Psychological portrait of a sociopath

A sociopath begins to exhibit traits of a personality disorder either from early childhood (inherited from parents), or during puberty (puberty serves as a catalyst), and much less often - already in adulthood. As a child, he is distinguished by an obstinate, harmful character and uncontrollable, deviant behavior. He doesn’t listen to anyone and is guided in his actions only by his own desires. At the same time, he can reveal extraordinary abilities in school, grasping everything on the fly. But he studies mediocrely, since he is not interested in grades. The most common pathology in childhood is animal abuse.

Growing up, a classic sociopath radically changes his behavior in public. Outwardly he seems to be a balanced and tactful person. His extraordinary mind allows him to make a career and achieve certain heights in life. No one can suspect him of being a mentally ill person. In fact, he uses many for his specific purposes. Those around him are the same things as a laptop or a microwave. This is a skillful, cunning manipulator. He will never communicate with those who are not interesting to him. Periodically, the illness spills out into terrible attacks of aggression when he fails to achieve something. He never sympathizes with anyone, often is not in any relationship, because he is not capable of love.

Often sociopathy leads to the fact that people, not recognizing either the rules of behavior established in society or the laws in force in the state, become murderers and maniacs. Given their remarkable intelligence, it is not surprising that solving such crimes can be incredibly difficult.

Understanding the concepts

What is the difference between a sociopath and...

• ...social phobia?

A sociophobe is afraid of society and tries to avoid people. A sociopath simply uses them for his own purposes, manipulates them.

• ...a psychopath?

No. According to DSM-5, these concepts have the same meaning.

• ...misanthrope?

The misanthrope hates people and society. A sociopath treats them indifferently - as if they were things.

• ...an introvert?

An introvert is reserved, focused on his inner world and loves solitude. He does not like noisy companies and avoids parties and public events. But not because he is afraid of people (like a social phobe) or hates them (like a misanthrope), but because he is more comfortable alone. He has a narrow circle of acquaintances (2-3 people) with whom he communicates openly and sincerely and loves them.

To explain in simple words, society is a frightening monster for a social phobe, a repulsive cesspool for a misanthrope, an uncomfortable bus for an introvert, and a thing, a means to an end, for a psychopath and sociopath.

Hannibal Lecter. He is the main character in The Silence of the Lambs, as well as Hannibal and Hannibal Rising. Perhaps one of the most famous sociopaths in the history of cinema. Initially, he appears before the audience as an educated, culturally and intellectually developed psychiatrist and surgeon. However, a little later his true inner world is revealed. He turns out to be a monstrous serial killer, and even a cannibal.

What to do if a sociopath doesn’t want to change anything, but his family suffers?

A typical situation today: the mother of a young man calls and asks him to “cure him.”
During the conversation, it turns out that several specialists and different methods have already been “tested”, and all in vain. As a rule, the leading symptom is alcoholism or drug addiction. In such situations, we recommend that the mother herself come to an appointment first and start working on herself, her experiences, her reactions. After all, the behavior of a sociopath that he shows is inextricably linked with the reactions of family members (so-called codependency). Both mother and other relatives in this case are codependent. They are subconsciously manipulated by a sociopath, participate in his “performance”, pathological life system, scenario (they can be called differently, the meaning will not change). Therefore, by changing the attitude and behavior of relatives and mothers, we will influence the behavior of the sociopath, and perhaps motivate him to seek face-to-face correction from a specialist. You can also contact us through popular messengers:

Causes of misanthropy

Psychologists believe that this phenomenon begins to form in childhood and develops intensively during puberty, when a teenager’s critical thinking and desire to defend his own “I” are heightened. Since the cause of misanthropy is a heightened sense of justice, as a rule, those who grew up in a dysfunctional family become misanthropes. Resentment towards relatives can cause a negative attitude towards the entire human race.

Abuse suppresses personality and promotes hatred.

When a child does not feel safe in the family, a persistent negative attitude towards the whole world develops. It is very important that the baby trusts his parents. Educational moments influencing the formation of a negative attitude towards society:

• frequent punishments, violence;
• emotional coldness of parents;
• tense relationship between mother and father;
• a call to moral responsibility;
• antisocial family lifestyle;
• Opposite points of view of mother and father on issues of education.

The causes of misanthropy can be internal complexes and self-doubt. Sometimes misanthropy is a defensive reaction to aggression and devaluation. This behavior is typical of a person with low self-esteem.

Sometimes a person with a heightened sense of justice consciously chooses misanthropy. Such a choice can be made by overly sensitive people or subjects who are tired of communication.

Sometimes a person who is faced with betrayal begins to have a hostile attitude towards the people who caused him mental pain. If the action is repeated, then he transfers his dislike to other persons. It is no coincidence that phrases like “all women are the same” or “men cannot be trusted” slip into everyday life.

Sometimes a girl or boy has problems establishing contact with the opposite sex. Negative life experiences, coupled with emotional sensitivity, lead to hatred. For this reason, large-scale conclusions are being made regarding all of humanity.

There are impressionable people with a subtle soul structure. Romantics often look at the world around them through rose-colored glasses, which ultimately leads them to disappointment. After which such natures fence themselves off from an imperfect society and seclude themselves. They stop letting strangers into their lives.

A gifted personality is often the cause of misanthropy. A talented person sometimes begins to feel like a genius, and perceive those around him as dullards and mediocrities. He begins to feel contempt for others and not to honor them with his attention, or to treat imperfect individuals with great condescension.

Often the defense mechanism of projection is triggered. In this case, the individual does not accept himself, but transforms his feelings into rejection of other subjects. It is unbearable for him to be in the company of people, since they do not share his views on the world around him.

At what age does misanthropy develop?

According to scientists and psychologists, misanthropy usually occurs in adolescence. At that moment when the child’s “I” awakens. The ability to see the world, reflection and critical thinking appears. When a little person begins to develop an attitude towards reality, towards people, he begins to understand that the world and people cannot always be friendly, they can be hypocritical and unfair. While still a small person, but possessing a high sense of truth and justice, he can recognize himself as a misanthrope. Politics, wars, many negative films about death, meanness and betrayal - all this further aggravates the situation and provokes the emergence of misanthropes.