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Hello and

this is a special episode this is a special episode of the excerpt

and this is a special episode of the excerpt Use the word sociopat path in conversation and you're bound to see some raised

eyebrows or worse. A plus of a mental diagnosis and more of an insult you

hurl at someone. But what does it really mean to be a sociopath? Our guest today

has the unique perspective to offer a definition from both a clinical and a personal perspective.

Dr. Patrick Gagni, the author of sociopath, a fascinating memoir that follows her journey

to come to terms with her own

sociopathy and shed light on an often demonized and misunderstood

mental disorder. Thanks so much for joining us Patrick.

Thanks for having me. So your book starts out with some pretty shocking admissions and your introduction in fact you write quote I'm a liar I'm a thief I'm emotionally shallow

I'm mostly immune to remorse and guilt.

I'm highly manipulative.

I don't care what other people think, unquote.

Can you start off by just telling us what defines a sociopath?

Yes, and I'm really glad that this was the first question because

understanding what sociopathy is and isn't often gets in the way of really seeing

and understanding who I am and who others like me are. The number one question I get asked is what is the difference

between sociopathy and psychopathy? It's a tricky question because they've reclassified

sociopathy as secondary psychopathy.

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