Psychopathy is one of the most chilling and morally perplexing mental disorders we face. Much has been researched, but we are left with very little recourse that is of any help. Psychopaths are individuals who have no conscience and no remorse. They are intelligent and know how to work any system to their advantage. Therefore, there is little we can do to support those with the disorder in overcoming their disturbing, destructive, oftentimes violent tendencies. However, if we take a closer look, there is much that we can learn from the mental disorder of the psychopath.

A psychopath’s shallow affect and absence of empathy renders their capacity to genuinely bond with another person virtually non-existent; the implications and consequences of this become dangerous and often deadly. Emotions are a gift to guide us and help us form social bonds. They facilitate the meaning of relationships, and help us to see the essential beauty and immeasurable worth of another human being. Emotion opens our eyes to see another person deeply and with greater empathy, engendering a sense of respect and love that comes from honoring that relationship. Psychopaths have no such mitigating drive.

Psychopaths lack empathy, and are unable to genuinely bond with others. (Image via drsarahedwards.com).

This lack of empathy becomes problematic when we are working within the framework of individuation. The question becomes: Can psychopaths individuate? Where this would seem a moot inquiry, we have another lens with which to learn and observe. Within our own process of individuation, we may gain a unique perception of how we can respond, and how we in turn might allow their unique condition to influence and affect our own process. A good response may be a series of reflective questions:

How do we relate with an individual who would seem by their very nature, alien? What is their purpose within the collective? Why are we fascinated by psychopaths? Why are we are curious about them and attracted to their darkness? Are we attracted to their invincibility and the power of not feeling weak or vulnerable? Can we love a psychopath? As we find ways to love all without condition, how do we, with wisdom, protect ourselves from their violent nature? And how are we not to be seduced by the dark archetype of the psychopathic vampire?

Psychopaths lack self-reflection. (Image via deviantart).

By legend, vampires have no mirror-reflection. Likewise, psychopaths have no reflection by way of internal self-inquiry or insight. They are unable to go into a state of genuine self-awareness and deep reflection. And perhaps this very idea becomes the antidote; that by taking seriously the responsibility for self-inquiry, deep reflection, and retracting the misplaced projections we have thrust onto others, we come to a place of understanding: Knowing that true empowerment lives in and grows with empathy, and that we too hold a measure of darkness and seductive power within ourselves as a creative force. But we must also remember that by peering too long into the darkness we pay a price: In the vampire legend, you lose your Soul.

 

Never miss a blog post! Sign up for our newsletter here to read more of these bi-monthly blogs on psychological and spiritual topics.

 

~Pamela Thompson
Team Host Lead
Jung Society of Utah