Sociopathic Staff

[Davey Do]

Before she went through menopause, my wife Belinda, a medical nurse, was an eternal optimist who naively trusted others to the Nth degree. She would often say to me about another's aberrant behavior, "I don't understand why they do that!"

Maybe it's menopause, or perhaps it's because she's been living with me for nearly 15 years, but Belinda is now more of a realist. I don't think she understands aberrant behavior any more than she did before, it's just that such behaviors don't surprise her as much.

Understanding rationale for behavior can give us a sense of security. Labeling others, fitting them into a pigeonhole and knowing what behaviors to expect can prepare us for what may come. “When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time" is an ingenious truism credited to Maya Angelou.

Some staff were discussing the antics of a particular nurse when one asked, "Why does she do that?" Without much thought, I replied, "Because that's the way she wired- she's sociopathic".

I thought that there was a chance that I didn't know what I was talking about, so I did a little research and these are some convincing traits that I found from https://www.mcafee.cc/Bin/sb.html that supported my perception:

"Glibness and Superficial Charm
Manipulative and Conning
They never recognize the rights of others and see their self-serving behaviors as permissible. They appear to be charming, yet are covertly hostile and domineering, seeing their victim as merely an instrument to be used. They may dominate and humiliate their victims.
Grandiose Sense of Self
Feels entitled to certain things as "their right."
Pathological Lying
Has no problem lying coolly and easily and it is almost impossible for them to be truthful on a consistent basis. Can create, and get caught up in, a complex belief about their own powers and abilities. Extremely convincing and even able to pass lie detector tests.
Lack of Remorse, Shame or Guilt
A deep seated rage, which is split off and repressed, is at their core. Does not see others around them as people, but only as targets and opportunities. Instead of friends, they have victims and accomplices who end up as victims. The end always justifies the means and they let nothing stand in their way.
Shallow Emotions
When they show what seems to be warmth, joy, love and compassion it is more feigned than experienced and serves an ulterior motive. Outraged by insignificant matters, yet remaining unmoved and cold by what would upset a normal person. Since they are not genuine, neither are their promises.
Need for Stimulation
Living on the edge. Verbal outbursts and physical punishments are normal. Promiscuity and gambling are common.
Callousness/Lack of Empathy
Unable to empathize with the pain of their victims, having only contempt for others' feelings of distress and readily taking advantage of them.Poor Behavioral Controls/Impulsive Nature
Rage and abuse, alternating with small expressions of love and approval produce an addictive cycle for abuser and abused, as well as creating hopelessness in the victim. Believe they are all-powerful, all-knowing, entitled to every wish, no sense of personal boundaries, no concern for their impact on others."

They're out there, so keep your trash cans covered!

[CharleeFoxtrot, BSN, RN]

Wow small world Davey Do! Imagine you meeting, and writing about my ex ?

No kidding though, sociopaths exist and are far more common that we'd like to think.

[Jedrnurse, BSN, RN]

So you've had personal experience with the President, then?

[Hoosier_RN, MSN]

1 hour ago, Jedrnurse said:

So you've had personal experience with the President, then?

Which one? From Clinton forward, I believe that they all fit that mold to one extent or another

[Jedrnurse, BSN, RN]

While I don't think that anybody who rises through the ranks of politics to that level will be declared a saint, the degree of sociopathy does matter.

[Tenebrae, BSN, RN]

I have one of those people who ends up on my ward from time to time

[Guest856929]

On 2/16/2020 at 7:56 AM, Hoosier_RN said:

Which one? From Clinton forward, I believe that they all fit that mold to one extent or another

The contemptible rotund clown.

[Daisy4RN]

"They're out there, so keep your trash cans covered!"

I guess I dont understand this DaveyDo, dont we want these people in the trash can sometimes.

Maybe not a total Sociopath but a nurse I used to work with drove me crazy. She would just bust in a door, pull back the curtain and yell "what are you doing". I mean WTH, what do you think I am doing. I think she was trying to catch me doing something I should not have been doing. I tried to talk to her about this to no a avail. I think she was either just trying to cause trouble or just crazy, who knows.

[Davey Do]

2 hours ago, Daisy4RN said:

"They're out there, so keep your trash cans covered!"

I guess I dont understand this DaveyDo, dont we want these people in the trash can sometimes.

That was a line from one of my Favorite episodes of Northern Exposure titled "Wake Up Call", @Daisy4RN. Basically, Chris Stevens, a philosophical n ex-con DJ, is reporting recent springtime bear sightings and reports of the bears getting into trash cans and wreaking havoc.

I use that line whenever a person or situation needs to be made aware of and closely monitored. So, in essence, I was was saying, "Sociopaths are out there, so be wary and take precautions".

"Thank you, (Daisy), for playing Apollo to my Dionysus in art's Cartesian dialectic."

Translation: Apollo is the god of the sun, of rational thinking and order, and appeals to logic, prudence and purity. Dionysus is the god of wine and dance, of irrationality and chaos, and appeals to emotions and instincts.

[Davey Do]

On 2/16/2020 at 6:49 AM, CharleeFoxtrot said:

Wow small world Davey Do! Imagine you meeting, and writing about my ex ?

Understandable how one could be attracted to such a personality, @CharlieFoxtrot.

On 2/16/2020 at 12:52 AM, Davey Do said:

When they show what seems to be warmth, joy, love and compassion it is more feigned than experienced and serves an ulterior motive.

On 2/16/2020 at 6:49 AM, CharleeFoxtrot said:

No kidding though, sociopaths exist and are far more common that we'd like to think.

Yes...

On 2/16/2020 at 12:52 AM, Davey Do said:

They're out there, so keep your trash cans covered!

[Davey Do]

On 2/16/2020 at 6:51 AM, Jedrnurse said:

So you've had personal experience with the President, then?

Antisocial Personality Disorder DSM-5 301.7 (F60.2)

On 2/16/2020 at 7:56 AM, Hoosier_RN said:

Which one? From Clinton forward, I believe that they all fit that mold to one extent or another

Shared Psychotic Disorder (DSM-IV – 297.3)

[J.B.Chan, BSN]

Sociopaths are definitely out there and quite easy to spot once their mask slips. You'll know what I mean when you cross paths with one. They are superbly cunning and intelligent. Beware, is all that I can say.