Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsDiagnosisCausesIdentifying a Narcissistic SociopathTreatmentCoping
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Table of Contents
Diagnosis
Causes
Identifying a Narcissistic Sociopath
Treatment
Coping
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The term narcissistic sociopath is used to describe someone who manipulates and harms others for their own personal gain. People who have aspects of bothnarcissistic personality disorder(NPD) andantisocial personality disorder(APD) could be considered narcissistic sociopaths.
While there is no official diagnosis of “narcissistic sociopath,” theDiagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders(DSM-5-TR) recognizes both NPD and APD. Narcissistic sociopaths are sometimes called sociopathic narcissists or sociopathic malignant narcissists.
Most people assume that others have the same moral code as themselves. We assume that others agree it is wrong to lie, steal, and manipulate others for our own gain. So, it can come as a shock when you cross paths with someone who shatters that perception.
1:24How to Identify a Malignant Narcissist
1:24
How to Identify a Malignant Narcissist
Narcissistic sociopaths are not always easy to identify. Some people may show traits of a narcissistic sociopath. But only when these patterns of behavior are severe and interfere in their life and the lives of those around them that this person would potentially be considered to have a personality disorder.
Verywell / Brianna Gilmartin
Diagnosing the Narcissistic Sociopath
In order to conclude that a person is a narcissistic sociopath (also referred to as a sociopathic narcissist), they must be diagnosed with aspects of both narcissistic personality disorder and antisocial personality disorder. These two personality disorders are both a part of the Cluster B group in the DSM-5-TR.
What Is a Personality Disorder?Apersonality disordergenerally refers to unhealthy and rigid thinking, and behavior patterns that impair social, work, and school functioning. Most people with personality disorders do not realize they have a problem and blame others for the issues they create themselves.
What Is a Personality Disorder?
Apersonality disordergenerally refers to unhealthy and rigid thinking, and behavior patterns that impair social, work, and school functioning. Most people with personality disorders do not realize they have a problem and blame others for the issues they create themselves.
Criteria for Narcissistic Personality Disorder
Five or moreof the following DSM-5-TR criteria need to be present for an official diagnosis.
People with this disorder may monopolize conversations and look down on people whom they feel are inferior to them. They will take advantage of others to get what they want, no matter who gets hurt along the way.
Individuals with NPD live with many negative outcomes of their personality disorder. They may have trouble handling criticism, stress, and change and quickly become impatient or angry if they don’t think they are being treated correctly. They have trouble regulating their behavior and emotions, feel easily slighted, and may have relationship problems.
People with NPD can become depressed if they fall short of what they feel is ideal. They may secretly feel insecure, vulnerable, and humiliated and have fragileself-esteem.
Criteria for Antisocial Personality Disorder
Antisocial personality disorder is “a pervasive pattern of disregard for and violation of the rights of others,” according to the DSM-5-TR. An individual must show at least three of the following diagnostic criteria:
Narcissistic Sociopath Causes
So what causes a person to become a narcissistic sociopath? While we don’t know the exact causes of NPD or APD, the environment, genetics, and neurobiology probably all play a role.
These disorders also tend to be more common in males than females and begin in the teenage/early adult years.
Some aspect of their upbringing, early environment, or even later stressors, combined with a genetic predisposition or biology, leads to a personality disorder.
In order for someone to fall into this category, they would need to show several of the diagnostic criteria for both NPD and APD. Narcissism intensifies with qualities of APD (or sociopathy) to worsen outcomes.
Some signs that a person might be a narcissistic sociopath include:
Whilesociopathsdon’t think about other people unless they can benefit them in some way (what can I get from them?), narcissists only think of others in terms of how they reflect back on the narcissist (do they make me look good?)
When you put these two qualities together, the result is a person on a quest for power and control, who uses the love and admiration of others as a tool to dominate and manipulate, and who goes about all of this thinking that it is their right and that they are justified. There will be no guilt, no apologies, and no remorse from the narcissistic sociopath.
Even if these behaviors cause significant problems for this person, they may find it very difficult to stop the problematic behaviors. After all, it’s all just a game, and the people are pawns. When the narcissistic sociopath gets tired of those people, or they no longer serve a useful role, they will cast them aside.
The Prototypical Narcissistic Sociopath
What would a prototypical narcissistic sociopath look like? While there are variations in the severity of symptoms, we can assemble a picture that will help you identify these people in real life.
Most likely, you’ve encountered these types of people in news reports. One study suggested that around 35% of the prison population has APD versus 0.2% to 3.3% of the general population.Or you might find these individuals climbing the corporate ladder (stepping on people as they go) or holding positions of power in government. A narcissistic sociopathic business owner might default on debts or misrepresent what the company is selling.
The scariest part is that people with this disorder are hard to spot. They may be polished, well-dressed, successful, and charming.
They may take part in charitable causes or activities, not because they care but because it makes them look good. In particular, people with these disorders who have money and privilege may be particularly hard to spot.
Some will be physically aggressive, while others may be harmful on an emotional level. Regardless of the harm that they do, these people believe they are exempt from the moral code that everyone else follows, which is what makes them so dangerous.
Both narcissists and sociopaths may be charismatic and charming, unreliable, controlling, selfish, and dishonest. They both feel entitled and deny responsibility for their actions. They usually lack empathy, emotional responsiveness, and insight into their personality disorder.
How Narcissists and Sociopaths Differ
The driving force behind the two disorders differs. The narcissist’segois always at stake, and this drives many of their behaviors.
Classic sociopaths are not trying to impress you to build up their own ego; rather, they will only try to impress you if it serves a purpose in their greater plan. They are less likely to brag than narcissists. Instead, the sociopath is more likely to bestow compliments on you and center the conversation around you to get you to like them (and to do what they want).
Sociopaths are morecalculating, while narcissists are morereactive. Sociopaths might even apologize or put themselves down with false humility if it serves some greater purpose in the game they are playing.
Treatment for Narcissistic Sociopaths
Narcissists generally don’t seek treatment on their own unless they are experiencing extreme stress ordepression,substance abuse problems, or their partner insists. People with APD (sociopaths) may be put in court-ordered therapy but aren’t likely to seek treatment independently as they don’t believe they have a problem.
Therapy for NPD often focuses on techniques to facilitate a more resilient sense of self-esteem.However, it can be hard for them to follow through on treatment because it is common for them to perceive the whole process as insulting to their self-esteem.
At the same time, people with NPD depend on others and are less likely to leave relationships than those with APD. They often have families and children and may be amenable to change if the therapist can strike the right balance.
RecapA narcissist without APD might have some ability to feel guilt or remorse and may be able to be helped with appropriate psychotherapy. A narcissistic sociopath, however, is unlikely to feel those emotions or be helped in a genuine way through psychotherapy. Therapy is a game to be manipulated, and the therapist is a pawn.
Recap
A narcissist without APD might have some ability to feel guilt or remorse and may be able to be helped with appropriate psychotherapy. A narcissistic sociopath, however, is unlikely to feel those emotions or be helped in a genuine way through psychotherapy. Therapy is a game to be manipulated, and the therapist is a pawn.
Coping With a Narcissistic Sociopath
How do you know you’ve met a narcissistic sociopath or if there is one in your life? Does the person:
The Dangers of Love Bombing
Unfortunately, narcissistic sociopaths are good at finding the right people to manipulate. They can see when someone is trusting. They know good people will make excuses for their bad behavior because they don’t want to see it for what it really is.
However, if your gut is sending you signals and you’re brushing off feelings of anger, distrust, and fear, there is probably a good reason. This is known as “cognitive dissonance.” Youwant to believe that this person you know is as good as they appear, even though you know it all seems too good to be true.
The first step to dealing with this person is to stop reinterpreting the facts. Don’t give someone with a narcissistic sociopathic personality the benefit of the doubt.
You’re a good, trusting person who wants to see the good in others—that’s understandable. This may make it hard for you to see clearly. You might also be in a disadvantaged social or financial position that impairs your ability to fight back.
If the relationship is abusive, you must find a way to leave. If there is noabuse, you can set boundaries, build your assertiveness, and set limits, but you can’t change the other person. It’s not an easy decision whether to stay or go.
Gain awareness and help from others and confront the situation with as much logic andrational thoughtas you can muster. Fighting or arguing with the narcissistic sociopath won’t help and will only make things worse.
If you or a loved one are a victim of domestic violence, contact theNational Domestic Violence Hotlineat1-800-799-7233for confidential assistance from trained advocates.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
If you or a loved one are a victim of domestic violence, contact theNational Domestic Violence Hotlineat1-800-799-7233for confidential assistance from trained advocates.
For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
Final Thoughts
If you know someone who fits the criteria for a narcissistic sociopath, it is important to recognize that it’s unlikely that person will change or seek help. Your best option is to arm yourself with knowledge, setstrong boundaries, and distance yourself from the person as much as possible. If you find yourself in an abusive relationship with someone displaying these qualities, it is important to find a safe way to leave.
The Signs of Grandiose Narcissism and How to Deal With It
5 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Ed., Text Revision (DSM-5-TR);2022. doi:10.1176/appi.books.9780890425787Kacel EL, Ennis N, Pereira DB. Narcissistic personality disorder in clinical health psychology practice: Case studies of comorbid psychological distress and life-limiting illness.Behavioral Medicine. 2017;43(3):156-164. doi:10.1080%2F08964289.2017.1301875Caligor E, Levy KN, Yeomans FE.Narcissistic personality disorder: Diagnostic and clinical challenges.AJP. 2015;172(5):415-422. doi:10.1176/appi.ajp.2014.14060723Black DW, Gunter T, Loveless P, Allen J, Sieleni B.Antisocial personality disorder in incarcerated offenders: Psychiatric comorbidity and quality of life.Ann Clin Psychiatry. 2010 May;22(2):113-120.McLean Hospital.NPD provider guide.
5 Sources
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Ed., Text Revision (DSM-5-TR);2022. doi:10.1176/appi.books.9780890425787Kacel EL, Ennis N, Pereira DB. Narcissistic personality disorder in clinical health psychology practice: Case studies of comorbid psychological distress and life-limiting illness.Behavioral Medicine. 2017;43(3):156-164. doi:10.1080%2F08964289.2017.1301875Caligor E, Levy KN, Yeomans FE.Narcissistic personality disorder: Diagnostic and clinical challenges.AJP. 2015;172(5):415-422. doi:10.1176/appi.ajp.2014.14060723Black DW, Gunter T, Loveless P, Allen J, Sieleni B.Antisocial personality disorder in incarcerated offenders: Psychiatric comorbidity and quality of life.Ann Clin Psychiatry. 2010 May;22(2):113-120.McLean Hospital.NPD provider guide.
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Ed., Text Revision (DSM-5-TR);2022. doi:10.1176/appi.books.9780890425787Kacel EL, Ennis N, Pereira DB. Narcissistic personality disorder in clinical health psychology practice: Case studies of comorbid psychological distress and life-limiting illness.Behavioral Medicine. 2017;43(3):156-164. doi:10.1080%2F08964289.2017.1301875Caligor E, Levy KN, Yeomans FE.Narcissistic personality disorder: Diagnostic and clinical challenges.AJP. 2015;172(5):415-422. doi:10.1176/appi.ajp.2014.14060723Black DW, Gunter T, Loveless P, Allen J, Sieleni B.Antisocial personality disorder in incarcerated offenders: Psychiatric comorbidity and quality of life.Ann Clin Psychiatry. 2010 May;22(2):113-120.McLean Hospital.NPD provider guide.
American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Ed., Text Revision (DSM-5-TR);2022. doi:10.1176/appi.books.9780890425787
Kacel EL, Ennis N, Pereira DB. Narcissistic personality disorder in clinical health psychology practice: Case studies of comorbid psychological distress and life-limiting illness.Behavioral Medicine. 2017;43(3):156-164. doi:10.1080%2F08964289.2017.1301875
Caligor E, Levy KN, Yeomans FE.Narcissistic personality disorder: Diagnostic and clinical challenges.AJP. 2015;172(5):415-422. doi:10.1176/appi.ajp.2014.14060723
Black DW, Gunter T, Loveless P, Allen J, Sieleni B.Antisocial personality disorder in incarcerated offenders: Psychiatric comorbidity and quality of life.Ann Clin Psychiatry. 2010 May;22(2):113-120.
McLean Hospital.NPD provider guide.
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