7 possible signs you're dating a sociopath

Have you had an experience with a man or woman that left you reeling with questions and also with self-doubt? You think to yourself: they were so into me at first, then things got weird. They became unreliable, they hurt me without realising it, plus there was so much drama!

It might be the case you were dating a sociopath. When someone asks me what one is, I mention the Max Branning character in EastEnders (let’s hope they bring him back, he is one fantastic character). 

You see, Max could be as charming as Prince Charming! But that charm was only to gain what he wanted, to the cost of all who crossed his path. His own childrens’ needs come a distant second to his needs. 

He could have won an Olympic medal for lying without even drawing breath. Because sociopaths lie and cheat as easily as you and I breathe. 

They just don’t feel remorse if they’ve hurt someone or let them down. I like to say that sociopaths have a few key ‘tools’ missing from the emotional toolbox that the rest of us have.

It’s hard to pin down the statistics and they vary from 1% of the population to 4% depending on the study. But those stats mean singles are likely to come across one.

Here are seven key signs to watch for:

*Excuses, excuses – Even if you manage to catch them lying, they’ve a way of ‘massaging’ things so they come out looking okay. They have an excuse for everything. 

*Unreliability is their middle name – At the beginning of dating they may be on time. But very swiftly they start letting you down. You get annoyed with their unreliability and they swear they’ll change. Don’t hold your breath.