What is a secondary psychopath? Secondary psychopath, known also by secondary sociopath or pseudopsychopath is a person who exhibits some, but not all, of the personality traits of a primary psychopath. Normally a secondary psychopath will start to develop, in response to factors such as:

1. Exposure to traumatic experiences like childhood combat or abuse
2. Substance Use Disorder can cause changes in the brains function and behavior, and this is what causes the increased likelihood of secondary psychopathy.
3. Influence from Environment would include, PTSD, exposure to antisocial peers, poor parenting, and even living in poverty can contribute to developing secondary psychopathy. With those 3 top reasons someone would develop secondary psychopathy, it's clear how it could possibly be present in someone with BPD.

What kind of symptoms are present in the secondary psychopath?

1. Impulsivity. Secondary Psychopaths may exhibit impulsive behavior, like reckless spending, substance use or even aggressive outburst.
2. Manipulation they often use manipulation or coercion to achieve their goals, but this is normally driven by external factors rather than an inherent desire to manipulate others.
3. Antisocial Behavior secondary Psychopaths will engage in antisocial behavior, such as destruction of property, theft, vandalism or even assault. This is open in response to a specific circumstance rather than a general pattern of behavior.

Secondary psychopathy is often associated with cluster B personality disorders, particularly: Antisocial Personality Disorder, Borderline Personality Disorder and Narcissistic Personality Disorder, and may present with the following symptoms:

a pervasive pattern of disregard for other people's rights, feelings or safety. They may have instability in relationships, emotions and self-image, often accompanied by impulsivity and emotional dysregulation. They also are characterized by grandiosity, and a need for admiration, and a lack of empathy. Secondary psychopathy can manifest as a subtype within the cluster B personality disorders, especially ASPD.

I created a list of symptoms I could use to identify a secondary psychopath these symptoms include: impulsivity and engaging in reckless behaviors, anger outburst, aggression, manipulation, and a lack of empathy. This person will have a history of trauma as a child, substance abuse and dysfunctional relationships especially those that included domestic violence or emotional abuse. Their psychological characteristics will be emotional dysregulation, identity diffusion, chronic emptiness and cognitive distortions such as black and white thinking, catastrophizing or blaming others.

This is a treatable condition, given the person wants to and is willing to change. Comorbitity of additional disorders, and substance abuse can effect results.