Can a Child Be a Sociopath? 5 Signs to Look Out For

Fiction may depict sociopaths as crazed murderers, but in reality, people with antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) have a mental health condition that can be managed. It’s characterized by aggression, deceitfulness, recklessness, and a lack of empathy. So a parent may feel concerned when their child seems to exhibit those symptoms. Although children cannot be diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder, they are ways for parents to help them work through sociopathic tendencies.

What causes antisocial personality disorder?

As of now, researchers do not know what causes the development of sociopathic traits in children. However, some theories say it can come from several factors, such as environment, genes, and cognitive development. This can include childhood trauma, sexual or emotional abuse, a parent who is a substance abuser, parents who give harsh and inconsistent punishments, exposure to media where characters try to harm others, a genetic predisposition, and brain impairments.

Officially, there is no such thing as a sociopathic child since doctors only give that diagnosis to people who are 18 or older. It’s also not appropriate to call a child a sociopath because the label is so stigmatized and nonspecific. However, children can show symptoms of this personality disorder. But it’s important to know that impulsivity and selfishness is normal during a child’s development, and it does not make them sociopathic. There must be a long pattern of these behaviors, and they must impact the child’s functioning in some way.

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Conduct disorder

Although people need to be at least 18 to receive the diagnosis of ASPD, children can be diagnosed with conduct disorder (CD) at age 15. Symptoms of CD overlap with those of ASPD. They include destructive behaviors such as graffiti, stealing, arson, and breaking and entering. Teens with CD continue the behavior even after seeing how these actions hurt others and themselves. CD is also characterized by verbal or physical aggression. This can include torturing or killing animals, insulting or humiliating others, sexual assault, and using physical violence. 

Lack of empathy

This is one of the more well-known symptoms. (People often throw around the term “sociopathic” to mean lacking in empathy, but that oversimplifies ASPD and pushes its stigma.) Parents may feel concerned when their children continuously do not feel remorse or understand why other people are upset. They may act cold and inconsiderate of other people’s suffering. 

Disregard for laws and boundaries

Not only do these kids don’t consider other people’s feelings, they don’t consider the consequences of their own actions. This can lead them to disregard authority figures, whether it’s their parents, teachers, or law enforcement. Generally, children learn from their mistakes and improve, but kids with sociopathic traits won’t change their behavior even after receiving consequences or feedback. In fact, their rule-breaking can become more extreme over time.

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Self-isolation

Children with these tendencies often isolate themselves and detach from their parents, family members, and other people around them. They may seem uninterested in close relationships, or they may seem unable to form and maintain one. 

Deceitfulness

Children with sociopathic traits may lie for no reason without guilt or remorse. Normally, children may lie to get out of trouble or because they feel embarrassed. But these kids may lie pathologically to manipulate others, avoid responsibilities, get something, or just because they can. 

Treatment and outlook

Aside from that, children and adolescents may benefit from a combination of cognitive behavioural therapy, psychodynamic psychotherapy, family therapy, group therapy, and medication that can help balance their moods and lower their impulsivity. 

At the same time, parents should get as much education and social support as they can — from family members, friends, support groups, and therapists — to keep them afloat while they navigate this difficulty. Remember, children with sociopathic tendencies don’t always grow up to be a full-blown sociopath. Early treatment and guidance can greatly improve the outcome.

Parenting and support

It’s very difficult to parent a child with sociopathic tendencies, but spending time with them can help them immensely. Positive social interaction can help them learn to trust and value people, instead of seeing them as objects who can serve them or get in their way. It’s also imperative for these children to learn to love and value themselves, to know they have a bright, happy future ahead of them. 

So help them engage in a positive activity that can boost their self-esteem and feel recognized by his peers. Be authoritative with positive reinforcement instead of yelling and harsh punishments, and ensure the children know they and their parents are on the same side. It’s not an easy feat but an important one that can make a huge difference in the long run.

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