Narcissist or Sociopath in Your Life? Four Essential Answers

Borderline folks are at the mercy of their own pain, and have little energy left over to offer care for others. They are capable of both guilt and empathy, but often cannot access either.

Narcissist or Sociopath in Your Life? Four Essential Answers
By Jonice Webb PhD

As a blogger on PsychCentral, I regularly read the most popular blog posts. I’ve noticed that articles that contain the words “narcissist, borderline or sociopath,” three types of personality disorders (PDs), are often the most read, liked and shared.

I also notice that the folks who comment on those posts very often express a mixture of strong emotions like confusion, hurt, anger and helplessness. Clearly a great many of you, our readers, are hungry for information and guidance on how to handle your relationships with these complex people in your lives.

The world is full of people who struggle with personality issues. In truth, the numbers are staggering. 6% of the U.S. population has narcissistic personality disorder. 5.6% has borderline personality, and 1% has antisocial personality (according to the National Institute of Health).

With these numbers, there’s a reasonable chance that you’ve met, befriended, been related to, or fallen in love with at least one of these personality types.

These three personality disorder types are all different. Narcissists are known for being self-centered. Those with borderline personality are known for being unpredictable and highly emotional. And antisocial personalities (or sociopaths) are famous for their brutality. Generally, these three PD’s can best be understood by their ability or inability to feel two very important emotions: guilt and empathy.