Sociopaths are people living with an anti-social personality disorder (ASPD). In some cases, sociopaths are confused with psychopaths, as both exhibit common ASPD symptoms. To learn more about the disorder, check out the sociopaths statistics below.
The latest studies show that at least 4% of people on earth suffer from sociopath-related symptoms. A combination of six (6) symptoms or more could become evident among sociopaths in their late teens.
A recent entry into DSM-5 (a mental disorder manual) defines ASPD as a sustained disdain for norms and rules. It also ranks people who repeatedly violate the rights of others among those suffering from ASPD.
Sociopaths are known to often break rules, act impulsively, feel little guilt, or express manipulative traits. Other common signs of sociopaths involve deceitfulness, controlling acts, and minimal remorse after causing harm to others.
1. 4%-15% of people in the world are sociopaths
Psychologia
According to recent research, about 4% of people across the globe suffer from at least one anti-social personality disorder. Studies with figures around 4% are regarded as low-range.
Other high estimates put the percentage of sociopaths at 15%; however, the said estimate isn’t verified across several sources.
2. 10%-20% of sociopaths show a higher risk of attempting suicide
A longitudinal study of personality disorders discovered that about 2 in 10 sociopaths were likely to attempt suicide over 10 years.
The study reveals that people with advanced sociopathic symptoms are prone to suicide attempts. It also showed that sociopaths with visible symptoms might attempt suicide multiple times in a decade.
3. Sociopaths can receive diagnosis from 18 years of age
Healthline
Even if some sociopaths experience symptoms in their early teens, medical practitioners agree on eighteen (18) years for correct diagnosis. Currently, psychiatrists and doctors seek to isolate common symptoms of ASPD to determine if patients are sociopaths. When they come up with more definitive guidelines, the statistics of how people become sociopaths will surely be updated.
4. More than six (6) common sociopath symptoms exist
Healthline
Sociopaths will usually ignore laws or break rules whether at work, school, or elsewhere. People with sociopathic symptoms will also express signs of deceit and dishonesty and seek to manipulate others to satisfy themselves.
Sociopaths will also exhibit symptoms showing difficulty in controlling their impulses. These people will also act without regard for any consequence.
Other symptoms of sociopathic disorders include:
- Aggressive behavior and a dispensation to engage in physical confrontations
- Utter disdain for the safety of others
- An inclination to justify actions that negatively impact other people
- A lack of guilt
- Poor handling of common responsibilities like punctuality, bills payment, and more
5. Apart from ASPD, there are three (3) other personality disorders in cluster B
Healthline
Three clusters of personality disorders exist: clusters A, B, and C. Anti-social personality disorders (ASPD) are categorized under cluster B.
The other personality disorders ranked in cluster B are borderline personality disorder, narcissistic, and histrionic personality disorders. People can be diagnosed with personality disorders from one or more clusters after consultations and tests.
6. Males are five (5) times more likely to be diagnosed as sociopaths
NCBI
Men are more likely to receive sociopath diagnosis than their female counterparts. There is ample evidence supporting the disparity between sociopathic diagnosis by gender.
7. Four (4) sociopath-related conditions exist
Healthline
The most common sociopath-related conditions are intermittent explosive disorder; schizophrenia; bipolar (I) disorder and conduct disorder.
These conditions drive antisocial behaviors and other negative symptoms. However, symptoms of conditions like conduct disorder and schizophrenia might be harder to notice in some people.
8. The heritability percentage of sociopathic disorders is about 49%
NCBI
The overall heritability percentage of sociopathic disorders is 49% attributable to genetic disorders. Also, the study reveals that non-genetic factors trigger over 50% of sociopathic conditions.
9. The average remitted age of sociopathic disorders is 40 years or older
Research Gate
Currently, no cure exists for sociopathic disorders; however, research suggests that symptoms decrease with age. ASPD is the closest medical practitioners have gotten to diagnosing sociopaths properly.
According to the latest statistics for sociopaths, antisocial behavior in people living with ASPD begins declining when they become middle-aged. People over 40 are less likely to act violently or exhibit signs of aggression.
Based on the premise of remitting symptoms, older sociopaths are more likely to build stable relationships over time.
10. Three (3) common forms of medication exist for sociopath-related conditions
Healthline
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not given approval to any company producing drugs for sociopath-related conditions. However, a psychiatrist or qualified medical practitioner might recommend some medication to alleviate certain symptoms.
Doctors could prescribe antipsychotic medication containing risperidone to suppress aggression symptoms. Also, doctors might prescribe SSRI antidepressants, mood stabilizers, and other aggression-inhibiting medication.
Finally, qualified medical practitioners could recommend carbamazepine and other related drugs to combat impulsivity.
A recent study also shows potential in an antipsychotic medication called clozapine for treating sociopathic symptoms in men.
