Surviving the Female Psychopath

Psychopathy

The Challenge of Self-Diagnosis Among Psychopaths

Winifred Rule on May 7, 2024

Psychopathy is a serious diagnosis and it is wrong to minimize this most dangerous personality disorder, so beware of "good" or "reformed" psychopaths.

Psychopathy is a serious diagnosis and it is wrong to minimize this most dangerous personality disorder, so beware of "good" or "reformed" psychopaths.

Family Dynamics

The Danger of Life with a Psychopathic Sibling

Winifred Rule on April 12, 2024

Personal Perspective: Sibling abuse is the most common form of domestic abuse. There is, however, virtually no discussion of how a psychopath impacts her siblings.

Personal Perspective: Sibling abuse is the most common form of domestic abuse. There is, however, virtually no discussion of how a psychopath impacts her siblings.

Psychopathy

The Psychopath: A Rebel Without a Cause?

Winifred Rule on March 11, 2024

Psychologist Robert Lindner's groundbreaking use of hypnoanalysis in the mid-1940s suggests that superego stunting may undergird psychopathy.

Psychologist Robert Lindner's groundbreaking use of hypnoanalysis in the mid-1940s suggests that superego stunting may undergird psychopathy.

Psychopathy

Can a Psychopath Actually Experience Joy?

Winifred Rule on February 7, 2024

Psychopaths do not experience pleasure by empathically responding to the joy in others. Their perception of pleasure in others arouses only envy and greed in themselves.

Psychopaths do not experience pleasure by empathically responding to the joy in others. Their perception of pleasure in others arouses only envy and greed in themselves.

Psychopathy

How Their Words May Reveal a Psychopath

Winifred Rule on January 8, 2024

One cannot use verbal clues alone to spot a psychopath, but careful and discerning attention to speech details may provide some protection and early warning of one.

One cannot use verbal clues alone to spot a psychopath, but careful and discerning attention to speech details may provide some protection and early warning of one.

Psychopathy

How Psychopaths Can Trigger Fear of Annihilation

Winifred Rule on December 4, 2023

The victim of a psychopath may experience an all-pervasive feeling of being devalued, of losing control, with unbearable anxiety. 

The victim of a psychopath may experience an all-pervasive feeling of being devalued, of losing control, with unbearable anxiety. 

Psychopathy

Tom Ripley's Psychopathic Game

Winifred Rule on November 13, 2023

We can learn much about psychopathology by studying characters drawn from novels. Tom Ripley, from "The Talented Mr. Ripley" by Patricia Highsmith, is one such character. 

We can learn much about psychopathology by studying characters drawn from novels. Tom Ripley, from "The Talented Mr. Ripley" by Patricia Highsmith, is one such character. 

Psychopathy

Boredom Can Trigger a Psychopath's Impulsivity

Winifred Rule on October 9, 2023

Psychopaths grow easily bored and generally do not weigh the consequences of their actions. Boredom can trigger impulsive acts that lead to disastrous consequences.

Psychopaths grow easily bored and generally do not weigh the consequences of their actions. Boredom can trigger impulsive acts that lead to disastrous consequences.

Psychopathy

How Psychopaths Gaslight Their Victims

Winifred Rule on September 5, 2023

A partner in love can be the ideal target for a psychopath who employs gaslighting as a tool for manipulation.

A partner in love can be the ideal target for a psychopath who employs gaslighting as a tool for manipulation.

Psychopathy

The Genesis of William March's "The Bad Seed"

Winifred Rule on August 9, 2023

William March’s 1954 runaway best-seller "The Bad Seed" opened a window for the general public into the etiology and presentation of psychopathy in children.

William March’s 1954 runaway best-seller "The Bad Seed" opened a window for the general public into the etiology and presentation of psychopathy in children.

Psychopathy

Breakfast at Tiffany's: Tale of a Female Psychopath?

Winifred Rule on July 10, 2023

Was Holly Golightly a psychopath? The case against Truman Capote's "Breakfast at Tiffany's" character.

Was Holly Golightly a psychopath? The case against Truman Capote's "Breakfast at Tiffany's" character.

Psychopathy

The Heritability of Callous and Unemotional Traits

Winifred Rule on June 5, 2023

Research suggests that intergenerational transmission of psychopathic traits is possible because of the heritability of those traits.

Research suggests that intergenerational transmission of psychopathic traits is possible because of the heritability of those traits.

Psychopathy

Is the Female Psychopath More Duplicitous Than the Male?

Winifred Rule on May 2, 2023

Female psychopaths typically present as more demure, coquettish and seductive. Can female psychopaths be considered more deceitful than males?

Female psychopaths typically present as more demure, coquettish and seductive. Can female psychopaths be considered more deceitful than males?

Friends

How Psychopaths Can Fake Friendships

Winifred Rule on April 11, 2023

Psychopaths are clever at creating and nurturing "simulated friendships." What can be done to reduce the risk of becoming a victim?

Psychopaths are clever at creating and nurturing "simulated friendships." What can be done to reduce the risk of becoming a victim?

Psychopathy

Ferreting Out a Female Co-Worker Psychopath

Winifred Rule on March 6, 2023

Much has been written about the psychopathic boss, but what about your co-worker—the person at the next desk, not the one in the corner office? What can you do?

Much has been written about the psychopathic boss, but what about your co-worker—the person at the next desk, not the one in the corner office? What can you do?

Psychopathy

How Psychopaths Gain Your Confidence

Winifred Rule on February 6, 2023

According to psychopathy researchers, the psychopath penetrates a victim’s vulnerability by projecting four “messages.” Knowing these messages may help prevent becoming a victim.

According to psychopathy researchers, the psychopath penetrates a victim’s vulnerability by projecting four “messages.” Knowing these messages may help prevent becoming a victim.

Psychopathy

Is "Successful Psychopath" an Oxymoron?

Winifred Rule on January 10, 2023

The “successful psychopath” has become a trendy phrase, but it's impossible for a psychopath to be successful because of impairments in multiple domains.

The “successful psychopath” has become a trendy phrase, but it's impossible for a psychopath to be successful because of impairments in multiple domains.

Psychopathy

Focusing on the Victim of the Psychopath

Winifred Rule on December 1, 2022

Victimization by psychopaths often goes undetected. Serious psychological and emotional abuse is easily and often overlooked, especially true for psychopathic caregivers. 

Victimization by psychopaths often goes undetected. Serious psychological and emotional abuse is easily and often overlooked, especially true for psychopathic caregivers. 

Psychopathy

The Link Between Malignant Hysteria and Female Psychopathy

Winifred Rule on November 7, 2022

Female psychopaths typically display malignant hysteria which drives their behaviors ... aggressiveness, attention seeking, promiscuity, hyper- emotionality and more.

Female psychopaths typically display malignant hysteria which drives their behaviors ... aggressiveness, attention seeking, promiscuity, hyper- emotionality and more.

Psychopathy

The Rebellion of the Psychopath

Winifred Rule on October 3, 2022

The psychopath's rebellion often begins very early in life and may be seen in opposing parental authority.

The psychopath's rebellion often begins very early in life and may be seen in opposing parental authority.