Book Review - "The Sociopath Next Door"
I’ve been a psychotherapist for 30 years and now a Romance Coach for 5, and the hardest personality styles for me to understand (and then explain to my clients) are character disorders. We all have a tendency to assume that others are like us, and since even author Martha Stout would agree that 96% of people are NOT sociopaths, then our assumption is understandable. Most of us (that 96%) have a sense of right and wrong and a conscience that guide our behavior. 4% of us do not, and because of that, the rest of us are pretty easy prey.
Sociopaths are the very people singles do NOT want to get mixed up with. Some of them are easy to identify and avoid—they may be sociopaths, but they are not very skilled and end up getting found out, maybe even being put in jail. But bright, talented sociopaths can be very successful, can even get elected to some of the most powerful positions in the world. And a skilled sociopath can wreak havoc on a vulnerable singles. Just look at the press scammers are getting with their tricks do get money from people they meet on dating sites.
Martha Stout’s book “The Sociopath Next Door” is a fantastic layman’s guide to the sociopathic personality, and better yet, how to recognize one. Even with all my years in the business, I learned from this book. And you can too. We all ought to have this knowledge in our repertoire, but especially if you are single and looking for a life partner. Put this book on your “Must read” list, and then read it.
From Your Romance Coach, Kathryn Lord
