Replies

MS is worse. Medical definition of MS

Michael Schiavo
Profile of a Sociopath

A number of mind-manipulating cult leaders may exhibit many of the behavioral characteristics of a sociopath--an outstanding ability to charm and seduce followers. Since they appear apparently normal, they are not easily recognizable as deviant or disturbed. Although only a trained professional can make a diagnosis, it is important to be able to recognize the personality type in order to avoid further abuse. These traits also apply to a one-on-one cultic relationship

Glibness/Superficial Charm
Language can be used without effort by them to try and confuse and convince their audience. Captivating storytellers that exude self-confidence, they can spin a web that intrigues others. Since they are persuasive, they have the capacity to destroy their critics verbally or emotionally.

Story telling could be made up situations of abuse that allegedly happened in childhood that would cause them to "not understand" a specific situation that their intended victim has addressed. Or to evoke pity or empathy from their victim. It's all about them. Narcissistic. The more Narcississtic, the more I lean towards sociopathic. Sociopaths and Psychopaths have low tolerance to alcohol. Though not currently using, their intolerance is an issue and a signal that something is wrong with the brain. Displayed in their behavior when exposed to drink or drugs. Crisis. They are always in crisis or creating a crisis for others, as displayed by Michael Schiavo, being the long suffering spouse of Terri. Spending every dime of Terri's Lawsuit money to fight to put her to death. He does so with malice and intent. It's all about HIM. Indeed, there is no crisis for him at all, the crisis is created for his victim. He has displayed this tendancy over and over again, while being the main care giver for his wife Terri. Fourteen years of crisis created by Michael Schiavo should be an alert to all concerned.

Manipulative and Conning
They never recognize the rights of others and see their self-serving behaviors permissible. They appear to be charming, yet are covertly hostile and domineering, seeing their victim as merely an instrument to be used. They dominate and humiliate their victims.

Constant refusal to address the medical or personal needs of his wife indeed shows Michaels hostility towards his wife, Terri. Terri is his means to an end. She is dominated by Michael every day and in every way. He humiliates her over and over again. Publicly and privately, Terri is Michaels punching bag. He brutally enforces inadequate care upon her while the public, attorney's and Judges look on. Now that Michael has Terri in a vulnerable position, his abuse of her would be constant with no let up.

Grandiose Sense of Self
Feels entitled to certain things as "their right." Craves adulation and attendance. Must be the center of attention with their own fantasies as the "spokesman for God," "enlightened," "leader of humankind," etc.
Creates an us-versus-them mentality.

Michael displays this grandiose behavior as well. He is the "Leader for Terri's right to die". It is an us vs them mentality and he shows this everyday. Every moment of the day. Except of course, when he indulges himself in his sexual pleasures.

Pathological Lying
Has no problem lying coolly and easily and it is almost impossible for them to be truthful on a consistent basis. Can create, and get caught up in, a complex belief about their own powers and abilities.
Extremely convincing and able to pass lie detector tests.
Michael is a pathological liar. Nothing he says should be considered reputable. No woman or man, at the tender and youthful age of 27 would talk in length and not at all about their wish to not be on life support. Any ICU nurse would back me on this. I had extensive experience in a hospital setting for several years and it simply NEVER happened.

Lack of Remorse, Shame or Guilt
A deep seated rage, which is split off and repressed, is at their core. Does not see others around them as people, but only as targets and opportunities. Instead of friends, they have victims and accomplices who end up as victims. The end always justifies the means and they let nothing stand in their way.

Not even the Law is standing in the way of Michael's insistence on killing his wife. He botched the job the first time around, and the State has actively allowed him to continue the brutality and to carry out this brutality in public. Clearly, there is no end to his abuse of his victim, Terri, his wife.

Shallow Emotions
When they show what seems to be warmth, joy, love and compassion, it is more feigned than experienced and serves an ulterior motive.
Outraged by insignificant matters, yet remaining unmoved and cold by what would upset a normal person.
Since they are not genuine, neither are their promises.

The proof of a sociopath's lack of feelings is directly related to the brutality he shows towards his victim. He cannot feel anything and his victim suffers the worst abuse because he cannot feel anything. The closest a sociopath can get to "true" feelings is thru the reaction of his victim. Sadly, this would cause him to be even more brutal to his victim because their suffering is the closest he can get to emotion or feelings.

Incapacity for Love
While they talk about "God's love" they are unable to give or receive it. Since they do not believe in the genuineness of their followers' love, they are very harsh in testing it from their devotees and expect them to feel guilt for their failings. Expects unconditional surrender.

Need for Stimulation
Living on the edge, yet testing the beliefs of their followers with bizarre rules, punishments and behaviors. Verbal outbursts and physical punishments are normal

This is part of the create a crisis the sociopath inflicts on his wife, friends or family members.

Callousness/Lack of Empathy
Unable to emphasize with the pain of their victims, having only contempt for others' feelings of distress and readily taking advantage of them. Their skills are used to exploit, abuse and exert power. Since the follower cannot believe their leader would callously hurt them, they rationalize the behavior as necessary for their (or the group's) own "good" and deny the abuse.
When devotees become aware of the exploitation it feels like a "spiritual rape" to them.

Poor Behavioral Controls/Impulsive Nature
Rage and abuse, alternating with small expressions of love and approval produce an addictive cycle for abuser and abused, as well as creating hopelessness in the victim. Believe they are all-powerful, all-knowing, entitled to every wish, no sense of personal boundaries, no concern for their impact on others. The followers only see them as near perfect.

This would apply to the assault Michael carried out against his wife, Terri, 14 years ago and for which she is still suffering. A Sociopath can explode in rage when all his antics simply no longer work against his intended victim. Most victims are accustomed to their rantings and may not see the signal that "this" rage is the one that will kill them. The victim does not always see their demise as a possibility, because they are generally adept at dealing with them specifically if they have done so with success in the past. The rage can happen for no apparent reason as they are good at turning it on and off. Sociopaths often feign a lack of memory, when in fact, what they are telling you is they lack feelings. Emotions, accountability, conscience or remorse. I don't remember carries and explains a multitude of sins and allows the sociopath off the hook for this slight and extreme memory lapse. This is a ploy used by an American sociopath. Europeans simply will not tolerate this or excuse it.

Early Behavior Problems/Juvenile Delinquency
Usually has a history of behavioral and academic difficulties, yet "gets by" by conning others. Problems in making and keeping friends; aberrant behaviors such as cruelty to people or animals, stealing, etc.

This is critical information. Because they cannot feel and lack accountability, there isn't a sociopath who refrains from acting up while young. This includes runaways. Anything to cause the most pain or grief to their family members and parents.

Irresponsibility/Unreliability
Not concerned about wrecking others' lives and dreams. Oblivious or indifferent to the devastation they cause. Does not accept blame themselves, but blame their followers or others outside their group. Blame reinforces passivity and obedience and produces guilt, shame, terror and conformity in the followers.

Promiscuous Sexual Behavior/Infidelity
Totalist leaders frequently practice promiscuity, child sexual abuse, rape and sexual acting out of all sorts. This is usually kept hidden from all but the inner circle. Stringent sexual control of their followers, such as forced breakups and divorces, removal of children from parents, rules for dating, etc.

There is a physical reason why a sociopath is promiscuous. They are capable of having sex 24/7. Yes, you read me correctly. Excess in sex is just another manifestation of sociopathy. The reason is that sociopaths have a heightened sence of feeling in their genitalia. This is the one and only thing they can "feel" and in abundance. This is why they have affairs all over the place, and can have up to 10+ lovers a day. Sexual performance can go on and on or their performance can be of relative shortness, but with great frequency Always capable and willing. They may tell their wife or lover that they are unable to perform again, but, in reality, they can and are ready to have sex with another contact.

Lack of Realistic Life Plan/Parasitic Lifestyle
Tends to move around a lot or makes all encompassing promises for the future. Many groups claim as their goal world-domination or other utopian promises. Great contrast between the leader's opulent lifestyle and the followers' impoverishment. Support by gifts and donations from the followers who are pressured to give through fear and guilt. Highly sensitive to their own pain and health.

Criminal or Entrepreneurial Versatility
Changes their image and that of the group as needed to avoid prosecution and to increase income and to recruit a range of members. Is able to adapt or relocate as needed to preserve the group. Can resurface later with a new name, a new front group and a new twist on the scam.

Other Related Qualities:

Contemptuous of those who seek to understand them
Does not perceive that anything is wrong with them
Authoritarian
Secretive
Paranoid
Only rarely in difficulty with the law, but seeks out situations where their tyrannical behavior will be tolerated, condoned, or admired
Conventional appearance
Goal of enslavement of their victim(s)
Exercises despotic control over every aspect of the victim's life
Has an emotional need to justify their crimes and therefore needs their victim's affirmation (respect, gratitude and love)
Ultimate goal is the creation of a willing victim
Incapable of real human attachment to another
Unable to feel remorse or guilt
Extreme narcissism and grandiose
May state readily that their goal is to rule the world

* The above Sociopathic traits are based on the psychopathy checklists of H. Cleckley and R. Hare.

H. Cleckley's book, Mask of Sanity, was one of the many books I read when training for expertise on sociopathic/psychopathic behavior. It is a "common" disorder and there are female sociopaths, like Elaine Warner, but mostly, it is a male affliction. I also read R. Hare, but those concepts tend to be over the head of most individuals unless of course your a psychiatrist and are familiar with the terminology. Cleckley's book is used extensively in the training of FBI Profilers. It is available ONLY thru the Library of Congress and I suggest you read it.