SECRET THESAURUS

BEING A SOCIOPATH



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HELPFUL TIP:

Secrets represent a past your character wants to forget and a future they want to prevent, so give them something that will change everything if it gets out. Mine their emotional wounds, relationships, fears, or occupations for ideas, and consider how this secret could tie into your story's theme.
ABOUT THIS SECRET:
There are many similarities between being a sociopath and BEING A PSYCHOPATH. Both people have violent tendencies, limited emotions, and trouble forming attachments with others. Both are largely motivated by their own needs and desires. But sociopaths tend to be hotheaded—impulsive and explosive—and don't fit into society the way a psychopath can. And while psychopaths have no conscience, sociopaths often do, which gives them a greater capacity for remorse. While treatment for this disorder is difficult, it's more successful than that of psychopathy because of the sociopath's wider emotional range and ability to connect with others, which can help them see the benefits of treatment and a desire for better personal outcomes.

CATEGORY:
Dark or Disturbing (primary); Regrets, Guilt, and Remorse

SIMILAR OR RELATED SECRETS:

SPECIFIC FEARS THAT MAY DRIVE THE NEED FOR SECRECY:

HOW THIS SECRET COULD HOLD THE CHARACTER BACK:
Not getting treatment or medication to mitigate symptoms that make relationships and goal-achievement impossible
Becoming exhausted by trying to maintain a façade of normalcy to achieve their goals
Not addressing the trauma that might be responsible for their disorder
Wanting healthy relationships but being unable to maintain them
Impulsivity and emotional dysregulation limiting their professional options
Wanting to fit in but not knowing how 

BEHAVIORS OR HABITS THAT HELP HIDE THIS SECRET:
Blaming circumstances or other people for their angry or aggressive outbursts (playing the victim)
Reframing their impulsivity as spontaneity
Gaslighting others to make them believe whatever happened was their fault
Making promises and commitments they have no intention of keeping

ACTIVITIES OR TENDENCIES THAT MAY RAISE SUSPICIONS:
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SITUATIONS THAT MAKE KEEPING THIS SECRET A CHALLENGE:
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SCENARIOS THAT MAY ENCOURAGE THEM TO LET THE SECRET GO:
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RESULTS OF THE SECRET BEING REVEALED OR DISCOVERED:
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