Sociopaths vs. Narcissists: 3 Ways to Tell the Difference
Alyssa Sybertz
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Sociopaths vs narcissists
Hannibal Lecter. Tom Ripley. Joffrey Baratheon. Amy Dunne. Patrick Bateman. The Joker. These iconic characters lie, manipulate, steal, and murder. They are cold, exploitative, vain, and smooth. They are clearly sociopaths, people who manipulate and exploit without remorse…or are they narcissists, people who believe they are the best and the smartest? (These are the signs of a psychopath.)
"Sociopaths may exhibit similar characteristics to narcissists at times, and narcissists may exhibit similar behaviors to sociopaths," admits Mike Gallagher, licensed professional clinical counselor and clinical director at the Shoreline Recovery Center in Encinitas, California.