Narcissists and psychopaths share many traits. Both lack empathy. Both are self entitled and grandiose. And both see people as commodities to use.
In recent times, psychopaths are said to have Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD). Which shares the Cluster B status of Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD).
Although there’s many similarities, there’s also some differences. By learning the differences, you better understand who you’re dealing with. Because they may actually have ASPD, and not NPD.
Here’s some ways to tell if someone is a narcissist (NPD), or a psychopath (ASPD)…
Please Check Out This Short Video To Aid Your Understanding…
Criminality In Adolescence
Most people with ASPD have a long history of criminality in their adolescence. And have criminal records as long as your arm.
They believe rules don’t apply to them. And can flout them whenever they want. People with ASPD generally have a higher disregard for laws and rules than people with NPD.
Narcissists push at rules and boundaries. People with ASPD stomp all over them. Causing some to commit serious crimes.
Motivation
Narcissists are motivated by gaining narcissistic supply. That’s attention, admiration, and external validation. They delude themselves into thinking they’re superior, and seek to prove this.
Narcissists fish for compliments and brag about their achievements – whether real or made up. And are often competitive and jealous of others.
People with ASPD don’t need this same external validation. They’re happy to take advantage of people without bragging. Getting one over people is enough for them. They like to “win”. Narcissists focus more on appearing to win.
A person with ASPD may talk about their previous crimes or fights. They love reliving their victories. And want to show others they’re dangerous and capable of protecting themselves. But it’s less about appearing great to others, just for external validation.
At War With The World
People with ASPD are usually at war with the world. They see the world as hostile and dangerous. And see themselves as lone warriors conquering it.
They usually have an attitude of “nobody cares for me, so why should I care for anyone else?”. And a Darwinian outlook of “survival of the fittest”. Which means they feel entitled to violate others rights and boundaries. And rarely show genuine remorse for the wrongs they commit.
This means they’re almost constantly in conflict with someone.
Chaos
Narcissists are chaotic people. But they usually have areas of stability in their life. They may have a good career. Or have been married to the same person for years. Have children. Or are involved in religion.
People with ASPD usually have chaos across the board. Every aspect of their lives is chaotic. They move house, change job, partners etc. all the time. Although the higher functioning people with ASPD may have more stability.
Aggression And Criminality
People with ASPD are more likely to have criminal records in their adult years. And have a higher chance of aggression and violence.
Narcissists usually hurt people as a consequence of their self absorbed behaviours. Whereas people with ASPD often enjoy inflicting pain. And if they see a weakness, they feel compelled to exploit it.
People with ASPD are more impulsive and reckless. And may commit crimes where they’re easily apprehended. They believe they’re too intelligent to get caught. And even of they do, they can talk their way out of it.
Narcissists are usually more measured. And try to make sure they get away with it. Because they fear getting caught.
Fear
People with ASPD don’t experience much fear, whereas narcissists do. This contributes to their increased reckless and impulsive behaviours.
Narcissists can become paranoid and fearful of the world. And learn from their mistakes to avoid future harm. People with ASPD don’t learn from their mistakes, because they don’t have fear to keep them in check.
And because they don’t feel fear, they don’t exhibit flight or fight stress responses when in dangerous or worrying situations. Narcissists may pretend not to be frightened. But people with ASPD genuinely aren’t. They’re ice cold.
This means they can steal something and lie, without their heart skipping a beat. Or commit a serious crime, then immediately act like nothing’s happened. Someone with NPD is normally fearful of getting caught. And may display signs of stress and worry when the net closes in on them.
High Functioning Psychopaths
Ultimately, behaviour involves choice. And whilst it’s easier for people with ASPD to make hurtful choices, it’s not a necessity. They CAN learn to make more positive choices.
A lower functioning psychopath may give in to their urges to rob someone for money for drink or drugs. But a higher functioning psychopath may choose to become a surgeon.
Whilst higher functioning psychopaths still lacks empathy, their higher intelligence helps them learn societal norms. And learn to behave more neuro-typically.
Higher functioning psychopaths may use their work to gain power and plaudits. Some become CEO’s and lawyers for example. A surgeon with ASPD can be a God-like hero by saving a life.
In fact high functioning psychopaths often make good surgeons. They don’t fear the consequences of mistakes. Keeping their hands steady whilst they work.
Final Thoughts
In a nutshell, people with ASPD are like narcissists on steroids. They generally have more criminality, more aggression, and less empathy than narcissists.
There’s many overlaps between ASPD and NPD. They’re comorbid, meaning people can be diagnosed with traits of both. And some people fluidly drift between the two, depending on their current mental state and environment.
A big clue to differentiate them is their motivation. Narcissist are mostly on the look out for attention and admiration – narcissistic supply. Whereas ASPD are more about exploitation for personal gain. They don’t NEED people telling them how great they are.
Not all people with ASPD are serial killers or career criminals. Higher functioning psychopaths may learn to blend in. And direct their energies largely for good. Even if their motivation is essentially selfish.
ASPD exists on a spectrum, just like NPD. Some people with ASPD have higher impulse control than others. Or lower propensities for violence. There’s an element of uniqueness to each individual. Meaning that whilst some are highly dangerous people, others are not.
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And all this time I thought I was with a narc… now I know I was with a psychopath on every single level. Thanks for sharing Jon. Takes things to a completely different level.
You’re welcome. I hope you’re finding peace.
Interesting. I’ve read about different types of narcissists on Psychology Today including vulnerable or closet narcissists (which you’ve already written an article about) and some articles about people who have traits of narcissism along with traits of psychopathy and those are called toxic or malignant narcissists, who are more likely to be sadistic and get their supply from devaluing others. And this type, apparently, can be either overt or covert. One person on Quora wrote an answer about which type of narcissist is the most dangerous, stated that a covert malignant narcissist was the worst.
It’s scary to hear that narcissists come in different “flavors”.