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I recently read (part of) Confessions of a Sociopath.

You can buy this on Amazon but I wouldn’t recommend it. I didn’t finish the book because I really couldn’t identify well with the author M E Thomas. As it was written under a pseudonym I didn’t think it was particularly authentic but I bought it for a reason, because I am interested in the discussion of sociopaths in society and particularly within my patient group or my profession.

A sociopath is a psychopath adjusted to society who can live and function in normal life but still has the particular traits of a psychopath. These traits being; selfishness, lack of empathy, complete self-centered view of the world and considerable disregard for anyone else while pursuing your own aims. The general description of a sociopath within the book is quite useful but the most staggering thing is that it is estimated by the author that sociopaths make up approximately 5% of society (this is based on some research).

If this is in fact the case then one in twenty people you see as a patient and one in twenty people you employ will be a sociopath. That will create some difficulties. When you receive the unreasonable, vexatious complaint which we all seem to be receiving more and more and more for the treatment we undertake, it may well be that this has come from someone with sociopathic tendencies. That is extremely difficult because these people will be unlikely to respond to reason, empathy, altruism, any way of placating them and apologising for the disruption they have had to their lives as a result of the treatment they have received which hasn’t gone as they would like. But more difficult than this is the member of staff, the ‘well poisoner’ who seems to take pleasure in the disruption of what you’re trying to build.

Of course the solution with the sociopathic patient is to try and identify them at the earliest possible stage and explain to them politely that it is probably wise that they don’t undertake treatment (easier said than done). The solution with the member of staff is to use your probationary period well as an employer to assess carefully and clearly the individuals you have before they enter into a situation where their rights outweigh the rights of the business. One of the challenges here is that sociopath may well spend the first two years of work being all sweetness and light.

There have certainly been patients at the practice in the last few years (and it seems like a growing number) who just seem hell bent on picking a fight and causing as much upset as possible for the people who treat them. I have definitely been involved with sociopaths at work but I do believe that we are better now at selecting people for the team who are more in touch with our values and less likely to become a psychopath. Good luck with your selections!