The terms “psychopath” and “psychotic” are often confused due to the similarity that both words have. They seem to have a certain relationship, however they are totally opposite things. When we talk about psychopathy we are referring to a personality disorder. On the other hand, psychosis is a syndrome that can occur in different diseases such as schizophrenia, manic phases, paranoia, poisoning from consuming some type of drug, among others. Therefore, any person who presents any of those diseases in which contact with reality is lost, has delusional ideas and hallucinations can be considered psychotic. This does not happen with people with psychopathy, since they are extremely aware of reality.
In this Psychology-Online article, we are going to explain in detail what the difference between psychopath and psychotic and we will provide you with information about each of these pathologies.
Psychopathy: definition
We can find different types of psychopaths, from criminals or so-called serial killers to those who apparently lead a normal life. They are people who tend to be moved solely by their own interests and do not mind breaking the law and/or harming other people in order to achieve their goals. They tend to be quite controlling and manipulative to the point of being charming to many people. For example, many politicians present traits of psychopathy.
Psychopathy is a mental condition that is classified within the DSM-V (diagnosis manual of psychiatry) as a personality disorder and is considered a . People who suffer from this type of condition are characterized by having a “emotional anesthesia” that does not allow them to feel empathy, so they cannot connect with other people or truly understand them when they experience some type of emotion or feeling such as pain or sadness, for example. This is why when they hurt someone in one way or another they do not feel guilt or remorse.
Symptoms of a psychopath
Among the main symptoms shown by this type of , are the following:
- They lack empathy.
- It is impossible for them to connect with another person on an emotional level and establish deeper relationships.
- They are extremely manipulators
- They cannot experience any type of guilt or remorse.
- Are cold and calculating.
- They show having a superficial charm.
- They tend to be very smart.
- They always plan a strategy before acting, especially when it comes to meeting their personal goals.
Definition and symptoms of psychosis
A person who suffers from some form of psychosis is considered psychotic. psychotic disorder. Some of the conditions that cause psychosis are schizophrenia, paranoia, manic phases, drug use, and sometimes some people with bipolarity may also experience it. The main symptoms produced by psychosis are hallucinations, delusions and irrational ideas. For example, hearing voices, seeing people, objects and/or animals that do not exist, etc.
That is, the person experiencing it completely distances himself from reality and seems to find himself in “another dimension” listening to voices, seeing people, animals or objects that do not exist in our reality. Some of the main symptoms of psychosis are the following:
- Confusing thoughts. The thoughts that the psychotic has become quite confusing. When they want to communicate something, it is quite complicated for them and they easily lose the thread of the conversation. They also have a hard time paying attention since they have a lot of trouble concentrating.
- Delusions. The psychotic person claims to have a type of false beliefs that are considered to have no basis whatsoever. They may think, for example, that they are being watched all the time, that the police are looking for them, that they are famous people and everyone is watching them, among others.
- Sudden changes in mood. The person can change their perception and mood from one moment to the next without any apparent cause. She may feel fine and suddenly feel as if she is isolated from the world or depressed.
- Hallucinations. The psychotic experiences hallucinations, hearing voices or perceiving objects, people and/or animals that do not exist in this reality.
- Attitude changes. They present sudden changes in their attitude so at times they may be calm and even laughing and seeming to be having fun and from one moment to the next they may feel extremely stressed and overwhelmed. This is due to the same hallucinations and delusions that they present, which make them react in a certain way at a time when they least expect it.
What is the difference between a psychopath and a psychotic?
After having analyzed what psychopathy and psychotic disorders consist of, we are finally going to answer your question and briefly summarize what the difference between psychopath and psychotic:
- The physical aspect. Psychotics, due to the level of mental imbalance they have, the deep sadness they feel and the consequences of their symptoms, are usually people who neglect their physical appearance and do not worry about grooming or cleaning themselves. The opposite happens with psychopaths since in general they tend to be quite vain people, neat and concerned about their physical appearance.
- The awareness of reality. Psychotics present a loss of integration of their psychic functions, so their mind is as if outside of reality and therefore they cannot act accordingly. The opposite of psychopaths who are totally aware of reality and live according to it.
- The relationship with society. Psychotics have many difficulties adapting to society and, for example, finding a job, completing their studies, etc. Psychopaths, despite lacking empathy, can find it easy to obtain stable employment, study, and relate to people even superficially, among other things.
- Strategy. Psychotics do not act based on a plan or strategy that they must follow, they simply do so according to their impulses and needs that arise, which is why it is difficult for them to obtain and, above all, to establish their life goals. The opposite of psychopaths who seem to have everything coldly calculated and who love to establish strategies to achieve their personal goals.
This article is merely informative, at Psychology-Online we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.
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Bibliography
- Beltri, RT, & Fuentes, À. C. (2008). Psychopathy: a controversial but necessary clinical entity in forensic psychiatry. Spanish Journal of Legal Medicine, 34(1), 25-35.
- Mingote Adán, JC, Pino Cuadrado, PD, Huidobro, Á., Gutiérrez García, D., Peciña, M., & Gálvez Herrer, M. (2007). The patient who suffers from a psychotic disorder at work: diagnosis and treatment. Occupational Medicine and Safety, 53(208), 29-51.
- Valladolid, MN (2008). Political psychopathy: Fujimori case. Journal of Research in Psychology, 11(1), 11-36.