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keen 's review for:
Sociopath: a Memoir
by Patric Gagne
dark
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
This book was both educational, inspiring, and surprisingly entertaining. I usually avoid nonfiction because I feel like it'll be dry, but Patric's narration is both enlightening and humorous.
My first introduction to sociopathy was through pop culture and reading "The Sociopath Next Door," so I cringed at myself when she called that book out specifically. Granted, I was around 12, and I grew out of it! It also pushed my interest in psychology. It took being in my early twenties to develop a better sense of psychopathology and abnormal psychology. That being, the difference between a way of thinking that's dysfunctional and functional, where being different isn't inherently wrong.
I think the oddest thing about this book is how relatable it is to me despite not having sociopathy. Instead, I experience multiplicity/plurality, where I share a body—and by extension a life—with other people. There are a lot of misconceptions about plurality due to misconceptions about DID, which also gets portrayed as dangerous and/or fascinating by fictional media and true crime. Those misconceptions encouraged me to be open about my plurality because I can do so safely (the same way I approached my being trans when I was younger).
At the same time, I still experience a lot of shame from being different. It's not fun knowing people will always see you as "crazy" or "untrustworthy" because of who you naturally are. It makes it hard to figure out if there's something truly wrong with you or if you're just being judged for not being normal.
However, there is immense satisfaction in people approaching you, saying they experience similar symptoms but didn't know what was happening, and feeling a sense of relief from isolation by the resources I give. Or when people are open to learning to become educated and helpful allies. That's when I know I'm making the right decision.
The downside of this book is that it's making me want to pursue academic psychology after years of trying to push that desire away. Whereas Patric had a good financial support system, I do not. And, well, when I'm not interested in being a therapist and just doing research, payment becomes a concern.
Regardless, this book excited me in furthering my research into stigmatized psychological experiences and how to help people who suffer from them, society's portrayal of them, or both!
My first introduction to sociopathy was through pop culture and reading "The Sociopath Next Door," so I cringed at myself when she called that book out specifically. Granted, I was around 12, and I grew out of it! It also pushed my interest in psychology. It took being in my early twenties to develop a better sense of psychopathology and abnormal psychology. That being, the difference between a way of thinking that's dysfunctional and functional, where being different isn't inherently wrong.
I think the oddest thing about this book is how relatable it is to me despite not having sociopathy. Instead, I experience multiplicity/plurality, where I share a body—and by extension a life—with other people. There are a lot of misconceptions about plurality due to misconceptions about DID, which also gets portrayed as dangerous and/or fascinating by fictional media and true crime. Those misconceptions encouraged me to be open about my plurality because I can do so safely (the same way I approached my being trans when I was younger).
At the same time, I still experience a lot of shame from being different. It's not fun knowing people will always see you as "crazy" or "untrustworthy" because of who you naturally are. It makes it hard to figure out if there's something truly wrong with you or if you're just being judged for not being normal.
However, there is immense satisfaction in people approaching you, saying they experience similar symptoms but didn't know what was happening, and feeling a sense of relief from isolation by the resources I give. Or when people are open to learning to become educated and helpful allies. That's when I know I'm making the right decision.
The downside of this book is that it's making me want to pursue academic psychology after years of trying to push that desire away. Whereas Patric had a good financial support system, I do not. And, well, when I'm not interested in being a therapist and just doing research, payment becomes a concern.
Regardless, this book excited me in furthering my research into stigmatized psychological experiences and how to help people who suffer from them, society's portrayal of them, or both!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Mental illness, Stalking
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Violence
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Pregnancy, Alcohol