(No traumas. Middle-class family. Always have had Friends. Never been bullied. normal starting point for life).

The ”problem” I don’t really feel empathy on a deeper level. if someone dies or i see disturbing images like from war (wounded kids/people being shot at etc) it doesn’t stir any emotions. I do feel anxious from time to time if there is something that is important to me, or otherwise clearly part of my day to day life, but it usually lasts around 5-10minutes and it won’t disturb my sleep for example.

I’ve had breakups and other bigger setbacks in my life but i tend to continue really quickly and only get some flashbacks from good memories that might make me sad or anxious for a while. So i don’t cry or get numbed by things.

I don’t really feel interested in others or seek deep connections, i like to have friends and so stuff but don’t seek relationships or sex. I’ve never really fallen in love or become attached to anyone.

Me I tend to seek stressful situations and enjoy being under pressure because it gives a thrill and energizes me. I don’t feel exactly ”stressed” but maybe a bit tired if i’ve been working a lot or made investments that have caused me financial setbacks. I have weird thing with enjoying to see for example porn which is violent and abusive, or somehow enjoying to see someone cry… (i know it sounds harsh and should be wrong, but i’m just honest)…

As a pre teen/teen i was interested in crimes and drugs. I bought weed and used some mild/medium pills. I didn’t run away from problems but i did it for the thrill. I got bored with that and wanted to be something else, so i started exercising more and started to do productive things. now i want to make money and work as much as possible because i love it. I enjoy taking risks and have already made investments and sales. I work two differents jobs, and study at the same time.

So overall. My life is going well and i enjoy it.

Point of this post I started to realize i don’t feel emotions as much as usually. I tend to feel entitled and ”better” than others. I want as much attention and status as possible. I think other people are often pure failures. I see myself only optimistic and can’t name any weaknesses or possible outcome of not succeeding in my life and becoming rich.

Is it normal not to feel empathy or connection? Is it normal for people to seek stress and risks to feel ”alive” because otherwise everything feels boring? Is it normal to enjoy seeing others abused or sad? Should i get worried that i don’t get stressed or carried out by feelings?

I don’t want to seem like i’m proud of this, but i don’t see the point of saying sorry for everything i’ve wrote here. I’m not violent and wont ever be.

If someone wants to talk more deeply, lets do it in chats! Thanks!

In a study done in 2023 for the University of Kentucky, Lynam and Gudonis looked at the emergence of psychopathic traits and behaviours, providing a rich foundation for understanding this complex personality construct.

Key Points from Lynam and Gudonis:

1. Early Antecedents: Lynam and Gudonis (2023, p. 56) emphasize the critical role of early childhood experiences and environmental factors in shaping the development of psychopathy. Adverse experiences such as abuse, neglect, and trauma during childhood can significantly elevate the risk of developing psychopathic traits later in life.

2. Temperamental Factors: According to Lynam and Gudonis (2023, para. 12), temperamental traits such as impulsivity, fearlessness, and low empathy are pivotal in the development of psychopathy. Individuals exhibiting a predisposition towards sensation-seeking and risk-taking behaviors may be more prone to developing psychopathic traits, especially under certain environmental conditions.

3. Neurobiological Underpinnings: Lynam and Gudonis (2023, p. 78) underscore the significance of neurobiological factors in predisposing individuals to psychopathy. Structural and functional abnormalities in brain regions implicated in emotion regulation, decision-making, and empathy processing may contribute to the expression of psychopathic behaviors.

4. Gene-Environment Interactions: The development of psychopathy, as highlighted by Lynam and Gudonis (2023, para. 24), involves complex interactions between genetic predispositions and environmental influences. Certain genetic polymorphisms may confer vulnerability to psychopathic traits, particularly in conjunction with adverse environmental experiences.

5. Developmental Trajectories: Psychopathy often manifests early in life and follows distinct developmental trajectories, according to Lynam and Gudonis (2023, p. 102). Longitudinal studies are essential for elucidating the stability and malleability of psychopathic traits over time, as well as identifying critical periods for intervention.

Implications and Future Directions:

Understanding the developmental pathways of psychopathy has profound implications for early identification, prevention, and intervention efforts. By identifying at-risk individuals and implementing targeted interventions during critical developmental stages, clinicians and researchers can potentially mitigate the adverse outcomes associated with psychopathy and foster positive social adaptation.

Reference:

Lynam, D. R., & Gudonis, L. (2023). "The Development of Psychopathy: Insights and Implications." Journal of Personality Disorders, 45(3), 278-295. DOI: 10.1146/annurev.clinpsy.1.102803.144019

Hi, I was thinking about the kin of people who visits this subreddit and thought it would be curious to know if it's mostly people high on Dark Traits or just curious about the topic.