Are You Dating A Psychopath?

Are you laughing? Are you saying, "No my partner is loving? He says I'm unlike anyone he's ever known, he knows me so much, and he feels things so deeply; he can't be a psychopath". But you may be wrong. Approximately one percent of the world's population are psychopaths. That's 60 millions people! If you aren't dating a psychopath, the chances are that you're working with or meeting a psychopath on a regular basis.

What is a psychopath?

Put simply, a psychopath has a mental health disorder called Antisocial Personality Disorder. They are completely selfish and egotistical beings, and they cynically believe everyone in the world is selfish. They can mimic human emotions, but they will never truly feel them. Any apparent emotions are purely for display, an act to toy with other people, whom the psychopath considers disposable. More scary than that, psychopaths lack a conscience. They never feel any remorse. A person with Antisocial Personality Disorder will use you, purely for their amusement, and they will never experience regret. If anything, they will feel it's your fault for being used.

But psychopaths are not obviously noticeable. They are not all Hannibal Lecter. They don't all keep shrines to Adolf Hitler in their wardrobe and hang dead animals from trees. A psychopath can be charming, conniving and cunning when they want to get you on their side.

So how do you know if you're dating a psychopath?

READ Six Misconceptions About Psychopaths

Here we explore the top nine signs.

1. You've never known a connection like It

Your previous partners have all hesitated to express their feelings, but this guy! Wow! You've never known passion like it. He says you're perfect for him. He tells you you're the most beautiful woman; you're his princess, so unlike all the liars and cheaters he knew before. You're flattered, you're overwhelmed. It's all happening so fast.

He shares your ever hope, every dream, even your fear of spiders. You feel he knows you so much. You've never connected with someone so much, so quickly.

That is the psychopath reeling you in. Psychopaths are excellent chameleons. With no emotions of their own, they mimic yours. With no hopes or dreams of their own, they mirror yours. If you're dating a psychopath, this "amazing connection" is all an act to draw you into his net.

2. They have a sad story

Their mad ex is stalking them; their wicked ex stole all their money and left them broke; your poor guy just wants some peace. And yet you notice that, despite their protestations that they hate drama, they always seem to be surrounded by a lot of it. And you start to wonder: is he really so innocent, or is the "mad ex" only trying to get back their ten-grand?

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3. Beware triangulation

You will quickly be drawn into a love triangle and your jealousy will come to the surface. Their wicked ex - the evil woman who, he told you, took all his money and left him broke and heartbroken - will come back into his life. That was all a misunderstanding, he says. They're friends now. You feel confused, insecure.

The psychopath is egocentric; he must be surrounded by adoring "fans" at all times.