Before I start I should just mention that I have done the DT available online. The results are 2.6, 40% (N), 3.8, 95% (M) & 2.6, 40% (P). In general I am very skeptical about such generic tests and I do not place much reliance on it. I can however confirm that I am indeed narcissistic & can be extremely manipulative.

Psychopathy is the thing that I have the most problem with for obvious reasons (thanks to media, tv & movies). I have done comprehensive research on the subject, and while the deductions I make from the data would not be as comprehensive as it would be if I was a professional there seems to be fairly obvious differences between what I display and what the research would have me believe.

The most important difference is that I do feel empathy. I might not always display it (generally have a poker face) but I do actually feel it. In my younger years I did sometimes hurt animals (kick an animal that was in my way or when I was angry but never caused any serious or lasting damage). I was abused (physically and mentally but not sexually). So technically I tick most of the relevant boxes.

In the PCL-R (Psycopathy checklist) I scored:

  • Facet 1 (Interpersonal): 8/8

  • Facet 2 (Affective): 4/8

  • Facet 3 (Lifestyle): 8/10

  • Facet 4 (Antisocial): 4/10

  • Other items: 2/4

Now according to that test I scored 26, with 25 being the cut-off for the UK and 30 for the US. So according to the checklist & the DT test I am considered to be a psychopath.

But what about my feelings of empathy. I have broken the law (when I was sure I would not be caught), however I have never broken any serious laws. I have certainly never committed murder.

For obvious reasons I can't discuss this with anyone, especially considering the social stigma attached to the label, but this is something that has been confusing me.

Questions:

    1. Am I a Psychopath if I feel empathy
    1. If I am not a Psychopath, am I just a broken DT?

Edit: Thank you for reading. I was mailed a study that shows Psychopaths can indeed feel and display empathy, however not to the same extent and apparently it is a 'switch'. I could therefore have 'learned' when to apply empathy in my formative years.