It is a personality disorder that is more common than you might think, and usually begins in childhood. But far from being obvious, the signs are actually quite subtle.
In our collective imagination, psychopaths are a rare commodity and there is therefore little chance of encountering them during your life. But well beyond what we see in television series and documentaries, this personality disorder is more common than we think: around 4.5% of the adult population is affected, or one in 22 people, according to a meta-analysis published in Frontiers in Psychology in 2021. Often, these profiles can be observed and identified years earlier, through “early behavioral, social and emotional patterns” from a very young age. But don’t panic, in the eyes of science, psychopathic children do not exist. It is in fact a “adult personality concept”as Samantha Marcham explains, in the columns of Daily Mail.
On the other hand, the child psychotherapist explains that ““Developmental psychology research is clear on one crucial point: traits associated with psychopathy do not suddenly appear at age 18.” A study from the University of Chicago confirms that this behavioral disorder “appears during childhood well before the age of 10”And “more frequently concerns boys than girls”. Contrary to what one might think, the signals are generally very subtle: “Often, these children do not throw tantrums or exhibit aggressive behaviors that would prompt parents or teachers to seek help. They therefore go unnoticed.” However, there are some specific behaviors to spot. In addition to mistreatment of animals or other children, which remains one of the most suggestive signs of a possible predisposition, other more discreet and less alarming attitudes at the time should be questioned.
First, and probably the most important trait: lack of empathy. If many children are reluctant to share their toys, for example, future psychopaths would experience a real “aversion to sharing” and an insensitivity to the sadness of their comrades. They seem like this”reluctant to do things just to please someone else, and want to know first what’s in it for them”. They also tend to become very irritated when they are criticized, or when they are frustrated by any situation (which is common with many children). Children with a predisposition to psychopathic disorders are also more selfish than average, and do not hesitate to use their charm to “get what they want”even if it means manipulating those around them insidiously. “All children lie sometimes. What is worrying are the repeated and systematic lies, intended to evade responsibility.”notes the British psychotherapist.
Indeed, “These children constantly blame others for their behavior and make up convincing stories to protect themselves”because they feel that the rules do not apply to them: it is always the fault of the brothers and sisters, or of a teacher who unfairly targeted them. “In my experience, children exhibiting these behaviors often appear calm, self-possessed, and emotionally detached. Many are eloquent and charming. They are masters at manipulating both adults and other children, while drawing little attention to themselves. They can lie convincingly and show little guilt or remorse when challenged.”summarizes Samantha Marcham.
Obviously, the psychologist reassures: these signs do not mean that the child is “doomed to become a psychopath”very fortunately, but they nevertheless indicate “that he may pose a higher risk than his peers.” Above all, she invites parents to be “conscious” of these patterns, which risk getting worse over time rather than attenuating with age, if they are not sufficiently challenged.
