Posted on 03/30/2012 10:34:28 PM PDT by Attention Surplus Disorder
I was forced to work closely with a sociopathic man for many years--one of the most highly intelligent, sadistic, manipulative, narcissistic, exploitive, and scary people I have ever known. I managed, probably because I was as intelligent as he was, and I accumulated great riches; so the experience was not without great rewards, but it was exhausting, and when I finally got him out of my life it was as though a heavy burdon had been lifted from me.
Do you ever feel like you... attract sociopaths? I do. I’ve spent countless time agonizing why a (turns out sociopath) person winds up developing a love/hate relationship with me. Always at work, don’t think I’ve known any outside of work.
I have done some research/reading on workplace bullying.
The sociopath usually picks on the most ‘threatening” person at work in terms of competence and productivity..then the bully also splits the other people and they get the message quickly if you speak about what’s happening or even acknowledge it..you will be next.
If you are at all competent , you will be “useful” to the sociopath and they are very good at offering on and off rewards and generally making you think “gosh, there must be something wrong with ME”..that is the name of the game.
That makes perfect sense. What I do involves intense customer service, so messing with someone’s frame of mind via sociopathic behavior is an over-the-top distraction and an extreme challenge.
I’ve won all my battles in various jobs with sociopaths by unloading both barrels in them with upper management’s involvement, and once I take them down, they turn gentle as kittens. That’s the part that mystifies me: they go out of their way to ‘end’ me, I retaliate by ‘ending’ them pre-emptively, then they leave me completely alone from then on.
It’s very weary-ing and discouraging, sad and depressing to cycle through this.
I do know people though who attract them and people who are attracted to them.
I'm thinking of a friend whom I love, admire, and respect but who is almost like a sociopath groupie. She was married to one. He did committed multiple murders. For years one of her best friends was a sociopathic woman. And she has worked hard supporting at least one politician who is a sociopath. She can't see it. She understands that her ex-husband was one, but she hasn't a clue about the best friend or the politician. When I tried to explain it she gave me a blank stare and never understood.
I do know people though who attract them and people who are attracted to them.
I'm thinking of a friend whom I love, admire, and respect but who is almost like a sociopath groupie. She was married to one. He did committed multiple murders. For years one of her best friends was a sociopathic woman. And she has worked hard supporting at least one politician who is a sociopath. She can't see it. She understands that her ex-husband was one, but she hasn't a clue about the best friend or the politician. When I tried to explain it she gave me a blank stare and never understood.
I found the column, and maybe even more so these FR comments that followed, fascinating. I am certain I have had as my direct assistant in a municipal government job for the past five years a person with NPD. And, it has become more and more clear to me that I will never be able to rid myself of him because the elected official I answer to is probably suffering from that or even a step worse. I guess it’s somewhat heartening-maybe the real word is scary-to find so many others facing the same challenge.
Do all Sociopaths look down their nose at us when they speak in public?
Your picture of Hilly, the current Secretary of Statements, is every bit as arrogant as snot-nosed Dictator Baby Doc-Barack.
BTW, Doug Casey forgot to mention the Copperhead Revolt during our Civil War.
BTTT. This needs to be seen far and wide.
It does explain our current lack of lionheart in our government, and delves deeply into the weasel that has taken control.
Yes it does. And, may help folks understand him and many others, by way of an explanation not an excuse.
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