Symptoms of a Psycho?

India
July 25, 2011 2:17pm CST
what are the symptoms of a psycho? Is there anything that they especially do?
1 person likes this
2 responses
25 Jul 11
That depends on how you define "psycho". Literally, it's short for "psychopath" which is a very specifically-defined term in psychology but most people use it as shorthand for "dangerous nutter", which is less precise. The term "psychopath" itself used to be defined as an abnormal lack of empathy and an inability to form normal human attachments, both masked by an ability to appear outwardly normal. This was revised in the 1980s and mental health professionals started referring to it as "antisocial personality disorder" because (in part) of potential confusion with things like sociopathic, antisocial, amoral and asocial personalities. Whatever the precise (as far as precision goes in psychology) definition, psychopaths are rarely psychotic, despite the similarity of the words. You'd have to look up official diagnostic guidelines for more information, I think.
1 person likes this
@_sketch_ (5742)
• United States
14 Aug 11
Well I guess there's no reason for me to answer the discussion. You've pretty much covered it Spike.
@pacrptc (231)
• United States
25 Jul 11
I think that is something you are going to want to do some additional research on... I don't think there is a simple answer to your question.