PHOTO: SCREENSHOT
When someone says 'psychopath,' our mind automatically diverts to thoughts of serial killers, chronic offenders or maniacs.
However, the fact of the matter is, psychopaths make up about 1% of the population as per Live Science. This means that you've probably crossed paths with one, or are a psychopath yourself... But they're not all cold killers.
Author Jackson MacKenzie, who has written a book about dealing with psychopaths, points out specific behaviours that can class someone as a psychopath.
Compiled from Independent, here are five phrases people say that might indicate psychopathy.
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1) “You overanalyse things”
Accusations like this are usually designed to trigger guilt in a victim instead of accepting responsibility.
“Psychopaths aim to make you doubt your intuition by constantly planting hints to make you feel anxious and then blaming you for having that anxiety,” writes MacKenzie.
2) “I hate drama”
Sometimes, the most demeaning people will claim to want to stay away from negativity as they "hate drama." This means that if you ever want to talk about their insulting behaviour, you will feel guilty about bringing it up because ... well, they hate drama.
MacKenzie dismissed this excuse and wrote, “You'll soon come to discover there's more drama surrounding them than anyone you've ever known.”
PHOTO: YOUTUBE3) “You misunderstood me”
Psychopaths will purposely aggravate you and then accuse of you getting the wrong end of the stick.
“This is called gaslighting - blatantly doing or saying something and then blaming the other party for misinterpreting it (or denying that it even took place),” says MacKenzie.
4) "You’re so sensitive"
People with psychopathic traits will push you to your breaking point but then call you “too sensitive” once you actually do break. According to MacKenzie, “Psychopaths manufacture emotions in others.”
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5) "You’re crazy/jealous/in love with me"
Anyone who has a crush on a psychopath will be labelled as a crazy person who’s apparently in love with them.
However, Mackenzie has a set of tricks to get out of this emotional manipulation and survive.
He advises, “No texts, calls, emails, or even Facebook friendships. Otherwise, you can guarantee they'll do anything and everything in their power to make you feel/sound crazy.”
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