Patric Gagne, a functioning sociopath, discusses her emotions or lack thereof, childhood signs, and the reality of living as a sociopath. She challenges the stereotype of sociopaths and explores the complexities of her experiences.
Sociopathy is behavior-driven, not inherently evil, challenging stereotypes.
Patrick Gagne lacks common emotions but navigates relationships by setting boundaries.
Deep dives
Understanding Sociopathy Through Personal Experience
Patrick Gagney, a 48-year-old sociopath, challenges common perceptions of sociopathy. Contrary to expectations of evil or criminal behavior, Patrick shares her unique experiences and the lack of emotions like guilt or shame. Through her memoir 'Sociopath,' she explores her journey as a writer and advocate for individuals with sociopathic and psychopathic traits.
Emotional Detachment and Societal Implications
Patrick delves into her childhood experiences of feeling disconnected emotionally. From walking home alone at 7 to displaying compulsive behaviors like breaking into houses, she reflects on her limited access to social emotions like trust and anticipation. Despite not conforming to traditional emotional norms, she navigates relationships by setting clear boundaries and offering rational perspectives.
Therapist Journey and Self-Discovery
Initially hesitant about becoming a therapist due to the perceived need for empathy, Patrick discovers a unique approach to therapy. Her lack of emotional baggage allows her to observe without being triggered, guiding her clients objectively. Through therapy, she gains insights into varying personality types, fostering a deeper understanding of the human condition.
Challenging Societal Stereotypes and Promoting Understanding
Patrick challenges the stigma surrounding sociopathy by emphasizing that it's behavior-driven, not inherent immorality. Encouraging self-awareness and early intervention, she advocates for a nuanced view of sociopathy beyond extreme examples. By promoting discussions and media representation like the character Wednesday, she aims to empower neurodivergent individuals and foster acceptance and understanding.
Patric Gagne is not what most people picture when they hear the word ‘sociopath’. For example, she’s married and has two children. She’s a functioning member of society. She has friends.
Sociopaths tend to lie, break laws, act impulsively and they have little regard for their own safety because they simply don’t have fear or guilt. All these things are true for Patric.
In this conversation Patric talks to Mia Freedman about the emotions she doesn't feel, the signs that popped up when she was a child and what it's like being friends with a sociopath.
It’s believed just under 5% of the population are sociopaths, that’s one in 25 people. That’s why Patric wrote her memoir Sociopaths, to share what it’s really like.
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Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.