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10 People with Antisocial Personality Disorder Describe How Exhausting It Can Be

Image credit: Whisper

There is a lot of misunderstanding out there about different mental health disorders.

Especially when these disorders are misrepresented in TV and movies, right?

One example is Antisocial Personality Disorder.

People with this diagnosis can be described as sociopaths, but not psychopaths, as some people assume.

The two may share some traits, like recklessness and impulsiveness, but Antisocial Personality Disorder is treatable and doesn’t mean the person is dangerous.

Living with a diagnosis that others are suspicious of can be exhausting, as these 10 people will attest:

1. Pretending to react the way people want you to

You know what’s expected, but having to fake it all the time will really wear you out.

I'm tired of pretending that I have emotions. I have APD and I can't help how I'm wired.

Image credit: Whisper

2. It puts you under a microscope

And suddenly even your family thinks they need to worry about you.

I was diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder last week. Now my mother keeps googling it and looking at me in a judgmental way. I'm still the same daughter. Me being f****d up is not brand new info.

Image credit: Whisper

3. It can be a lot to take in, even for yourself

Because what does a diagnosis really mean, at the end of the day?

Recently disagnosed as having antisocial personality disorder, technically a sociopath. It makes perfect sense, but also doesn't feel true or real. I don't feel particularly worse than anyone else.

Image credit: Whisper

4. Maintaining relationships can be a real challenge

You can’t always give your family what they want and need.

Antisocial personality disorder really hurts my family life. I have no emotions and never have remorse for my actions.

Image credit: Whisper

5. It can be a weird internal dichotomy

You don’t care how they judge you, you just don’t want them to judge you at all.

Telling people I have antisocial personality disorder is a lot better than the world psychopath. I am so tired of the judgment... but I also kind of don't care.

Image credit: Whisper

6. Finding someone to be with is endlessly frustrating

People tend to stop at the label and not look any deeper.

I hate my life. I just can't seem to find someone to date who looks past my diagnosis and just sees me for ME. So what if I have antisocial personality disorder? I am so much more than that.

Image credit: Whisper

7. Fitting into society’s norms is the most exhausting part

It’s never easy to have to pretend all the time.

I have antisocial personality disorder. I'm tired of hiding everything and being forced to pretend to be normal.

Image credit: Whisper

8. Dealing with the repercussions of lazy tropes may be the worst part

Forget what you’ve read and seen on TV. A diagnosis doesn’t turn you into a serial killer.

I have antisocial personality disorder which means I'm a diagnosed sociopath. I experience and process emotions differently. Thisdoesn't make me eviland you shouldn't be scared of me.

Image credit: Whisper

9. Treatment may be a long hard road

But it’s at least a relief to know that there are treatment options available.

I got diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder (APD). My first therapy session starts today. I'm nervous, but I know it's needed.

Image credit: Whisper

10. Even though it’s hard, answers are good

A diagnosis is never easy–even ones that make you go, “Oh. That makes sense.”

This morning I learned that I have an antisocial personality disorder which I later learned is a nice way of saying I'm a sociopath. Sadly, it all makes sense now...

Image credit: Whisper

Those all make me feel a lot of empathy for people with this diagnosis.

What about you? Does it bring a little clarity to their struggles? Tell us in the comments.