Sociopath (Unabridged)
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- $14.99
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- $14.99
Publisher Description
The acclaimed New York Times bestselling memoir of the author’s struggle to understand her own sociopathy and shed light on the often maligned and misunderstood mental disorder.
“A cross between a podcast by relationship therapist Esther Perel and a salacious tell-all.” —San Francisco Chronicle
Patric Gagne realized she made others uncomfortable before she started kindergarten. Something about her caused people to react in a way she didn’t understand. She suspected it was because she didn’t feel things the way other kids did. Emotions like fear, guilt, and empathy eluded her. For the most part, she felt nothing. And she didn’t like the way that “nothing” felt.
She did her best to pretend she was like everyone else, but the constant pressure to conform to a society she knew rejected anyone like her was unbearable. So Patric stole. She lied. She was occasionally violent. She became an expert lock-picker and home-invader. All with the goal of replacing the nothingness with...something.
In college, Patric finally confirmed what she’d long suspected. She was a sociopath. But even though it was the very first personality disorder identified—well over 200 years ago—sociopathy had been neglected by mental health professionals for decades. She was told there was no treatment, no hope for a normal life. She found herself haunted by sociopaths in pop culture, madmen and evil villains who are considered monsters. Her future looked grim.
But when Patric reconnects with an old flame, she gets a glimpse of a future beyond her diagnosis. If she’s capable of love, it must mean that she isn’t a monster. With the help of her sweetheart (and some curious characters she meets along the way) she embarks on a mission to prove that the millions of Americans who share her diagnosis aren’t all monsters either.
This is the inspiring story of her journey to change her fate and how she managed to build a life full of love and hope.
APPLE BOOKS REVIEW
Patric Gagne’s compelling, utterly original memoir aims to set the record straight on one of humanity’s most misunderstood disorders. She shows us that sociopaths—widely seen as monsters—are everyday neuroatypical people suffering with a serious problem. And she should know—she’s one of them. Gagne walks us through each stage of her life, spotlighting the ways the condition manifested, from attacking another kid in elementary school to committing crimes as a young adult, all in an effort to feel something. In unsparing detail, she reveals the complicated ups and downs of her relationship with the man who’s now her husband, how she eventually sought psychiatric treatment, and how her path led her to become a therapist herself. Gagne makes it clear the struggle is ongoing, but provides proof that there’s help and hope for people without access to their emotions. Her riveting narration makes an already intensely personal story feel exponentially more intimate. Sociopath is a powerful reminder not to take our feelings for granted.
Customer Reviews
Thank you Patric
I feel seen.
Storytelling used to educate
I really enjoyed this book! I learned a lot while also being completely intrigued by the storylines. Patric’s life story is compelling and remarkable. That she has gathered the tools to not only survive, but actually thrive and dedicate herself to helping others, is incredible. It’s fascinating that such a large population of individuals have little to no resources and channels to leverage to help themselves. Hopefully this book brings game-changing awareness & progress.
Loved it!!
Loved it so much, eye opening and heart felt (which seems weird) but she explains things so honestly and well.