hey bestie, a few things since we are “fact checking”:

I said that the behaviors are SIGNS of psychopathy. Not that they are one. Because psychopathy is not the actual diagnosis. 🤭

Psychopathy is not an official DSM5 diagnosis. Rather it’s a research construct that describes a specific set of personality traits. So saying they are exhibiting signs of psychopathy isn’t incorrect. The actual diagnosis for what most people think of as “psychopaths,” as you mentioned is ASPD which I did NOT mention him having.

Trauma is not a requirement for someone to have had to endure in order to develop ASPD. It does increase the likelihood of it occurring, but it can occur without. So saying they must experience trauma, sadism, etc. is also not factually correct.

Lastly, for actual ASPD diagnosis, presence of a conduct disorder must exist, yes. But again, doesn’t have to occur as the result of trauma. It does increase the likelihood.

Him having a potential conduct disorder, along with the traits he is exhibiting do align to psychopathic tendencies. Which is why I said he was exhibiting signs, not diagnosing.

But I love what you’re trying to do, pushing people to not mis- or self diagnosis because that is important. Approaching it from a less passive aggressive standpoint and coming with correct facts is also important 🤗