Is being a sociopath something you have to live with and accept?

[Anonymous]

So my psychiatrist essentially confirmed that I am clinically a sociopath. Growing up I've always had a complete lack of affective empathy (though I do have 'cognitive empathy'), and am unable to feel any remorse or guilt for things that I've done.

My professional life has been amazing, but I have hurt those in my personal life. Though I don't "feel" bad about it, I still wish I could somehow make myself more humane. Is there any way to do this? Maybe it's a silly question.

[Anonymous]

He's sure that you are a sociopath and not just autistic? how does he know for sure the difference?

[Asker]

Apparently autism is almost the opposite to sociopathy. With autism, you lack what's called "cognitive empathy" or perspective taking. Essentially it means that you can't step into somebody else's shoes, but when you CAN, you feel profoundly with the target.

With a sociopath it's the opposite. You can perspective-take quite well and follow the implications of a person's mental world, but you can't feel compassion or emotive empathy with the target; you don't really care.

A good example of an autistic person would be Greta Thunberg. Highly emotionally reactive and sympathetic to the plight of others that "makes sense" to her, but unwilling or unable to understand how to meet people halfway in terms of political goals. A sociopath would create a successful campaign to stop burning fossil fuels while secretly siphoning money to destructive causes for person gain. This is an exaggeration, but maybe it illustrates it well.

[Opinion Owner]

Thanks for the detailed response. According to M. E. Thomas in her biography, 'Confessions of a Sociopath', the only way to learn to blend in is by practicing a lot with people, and observing what makes them tick. She said she learned most of what she knows about people through reading books and watching movies