Narcissists, the Successful Sociopaths (satire)

Last week, I bought a book by author Jon Ronson called the Psychopathy Test. Overall, it is debateable if journalism is full of people, some of whom are successful sociopaths and everyday narcissists.

After reading The Narcissism Epidemic by Jean M Twenge and W Keith Campbell, it's easy to determine who is a narcissist and who might morph into a psychopath. As for those successful sociopaths, it's hard to say.

Is a guy who yells at you for being rude by interrupting his conversation with a fellow traveller a failed sociopath, because his anger far exceeds the situation but qualifies as intermittent explosive disorder?

Is the prostitute on the corner of the red-light district helped when the dual diagnosis verdict is handed for her after stabbing a "bad" John because prostitution is legal and the police won't lift a finger due to their higher moral fortitude?

And are the police successful sociopaths who only Tazer the father concerned for his son who happens to be at an out-of-control house party, outside said party?

I don't know, but if any of them received their five minutes of fame on TV, then they might be guilty of narcissistic behavior. Not like they'd care much, as long as the camera got their good side — that's what might be on their minds.

Who am to judge? Like the medical term "hypertensive", "narcissist", "psychopath" and "sociopath" are neutral terms describing mental disorders. Contrary to popular opinion, they are not just labels.

Even if a person is a narcissist, they aren't all about themselves. Were they truly self centred, wouldn't they have their entourage? Although they might have a lot of friends, I bet they are mostly plastic and if not plastic, trying hard to save up to get some plastic surgery done.

In my books, a successful sociopath has taken all the attributes of the psychopath and turned them into positives. He might be curious as to why the face of person shot in the face ended up like that, but he's more likely to cry over the fact that a dog died, or even worse assault the guy who hit his car and ruined his paint job, than he would care if anyone is annoyed because his dog used to poop on the neighbour's lawn or if his car is the worst gas guzzler in its class.

What I mean is, the successful sociopaths hide among us, and the narcissists hide the best because all they care about is themselves. So most likely they're not going to dwell on this article long before getting bored. Mad props to you, you selfish fuck!

Anyway, I also tend to believe that mainstream media has more than the 1-4% of narcissists and sociopaths because most of the time they are churning out propaganda about the world rather than presenting the raw truth. Most likely we can't handle the truth, so we get propaganda because it'll distract us from the truth.

And the truth is, up to 25 percent of politicians and corporate executives are successful sociopaths, but most of them are narcissists who care more about themselves than others.

Most likely, they also make up middle management positions in any industry, even social housing.

The Nutritional Cure for Crime

In my opinion, the majority of mental health problems may be attributed to sub-clinical malnutrition.

Too many dairy and refined wheat products on food bank shelves. Yet both dairy and wheat allergies are often the main cause of behavior problems among both children and adults.

Even a multivitamin pack per family would be a good addition there.

Additionally, energy drinks need to contain more nutritional ingredients rather than taurine and caffeine. Indeed, municipalities need to pass a bylaw restricting energy drinks and caffeinated beverages to people 16 and older. No child needs caffeine in their soda pop, nor do they need aspartame-laced diet cola.

Malnutrition also may contribute to criminal behavior.

According to a report by J Patrick, a definite relationship between a low-protein low-carbohydrate diet and aggression is suggested by studies involving Peruvian peasants, First Nations people, Canadian Inuit, and Australian Aborigines who suffer bodily illnesses associated with some mental dysfunction.

"Violent criminals seem to live principally on candy bars, cokes, coffee, and alcohol; this further aggravates their condition, as their blood sugar levels fluctuate daily. In addition, they may lack vitamin C, an outstanding anti-stress agent, and the nerve-relaxing B vitamins such as B-1 or B-3 (niacin)." — J. Patrick, Malnutrition and the Criminal State of Mind

Sub-clinical pellagra (B-3 vitamin deficiency) or allergy of the brain may be seen as two possible causes of headaches and dizziness. Furthermore, criminals in prison prefer junk-food over a healthy diet.

While the report by Patrick is useful to support the suggestion of providing better nutrition to people living in poverty, there is need for improved nutrition provided to prisons.

Although the sentiment exists that prisoners should not be allowed the luxuries of freedom, the nutritional content of food prepared for such institutions is lacking in providing adequate vitamin C and niacin.

I am thankful that food banks have been established in almost all cities with a significant number of people in poverty.

In order to reduce criminal behavior, we would need to view prisons in a different light. Prisoners are human beings with the same rights as everyone else, save that their criminal behavior have placed them in an institution where adequate nutrition is not always the priority.

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Originally posted: June 22, 2009 at 1928H
Updated: February 15, 2013 at 0006H

J. Patrick, Malnutrition and the Criminal State of Mind: https://www.ncjrs.gov/App/publications/Abstract.aspx?id=63701

Sub-clinical and covert malnutrition: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/990570

Understanding nutrition, depression and mental illness: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2738337/