Narcissist AND Sociopath!

In a previous post I mentioned that during one of my sessions, my therapist said she believes that because he exploits others for his own gain or pleasure, my ex is not only a malignant narcissist, but a sociopath as well. After a great deal of research, I am now 100% convinced that she was correct. The following is an excerpt from an article by Steven Becker LSCW is one of many I've found on this topic. His argument successfully erases the fuzzy line that separates the two pathologies. Full article can be found by clicking on the title. - Laura

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The Single Most Powerful Signifier of Sociopathy

"...It is a high level of exploitiveness that most singularly exposes the sociopath.

Now exploitiveness is also associated with the narcissistic personality. For this reason extremely destructive (“malignant”) narcissists can be hard to distinguish from sociopaths. Still, a high level of exploitiveness is rarely the single best signifier of narcissistic personality disorder, whereas it is, I suggest, the best single indicator of sociopathy....

Now it is true that empathic individuals will generally be nonexploitive. Why? Because their empathy will prove a deterrent against exploitative impulses or ideas. Empathy, in other words, surely is a powerful deterrent against exploitation....

However, exploitation and remorselessness go hand in hand. The essence of exploitation is the intentional violation of another’s vulnerability. The exploiter knows, on some level, that his behavior is exploitive.

By definition, the exploiter is grossly indifferent to the damaging effect of his behavior on his victim. All that matters is his perceived gain, his demanded, greedy satisfaction. There is indifference to the loss and damage to others resulting from his self-centered, aggressive behaviors...."