- Self-centered and exploitative behavior: Psychopaths use others for personal gain and focus on themselves.
- Shallow social connections: They have many acquaintances but lack deep, meaningful friendships.
- Difference from sociopaths: Psychopaths are calm and strategic, while sociopaths show emotions openly and struggle to fit in.
Psychopaths often occupy a place in our collective imagination as sinister, movie-style villains—charming strangers who leave a trail of destruction in their wake. But real-life psychopaths rarely announce themselves with glaring warning signs. Instead, their manipulation and charm often mask a dangerous core. According to Dr Sohom Das, a forensic psychiatrist based in London, there are subtle indicators that can reveal someone’s true nature—if you know where to look.
Dr Das, who shares his expertise on an eponymous YouTube channel, has built a following by explaining the complexities of mental health, criminal psychology, and human behavior. His videos cover a range of topics, from recognizing gaslighting in relationships to why women are drawn to binge-watching true crime stories. But in a recent clip titled How Can You Tell If Someone Is A Psychopath?, he focused on the more nuanced signs that someone may have a psychopathic personality.
Exploitative Behavior and Self-Centeredness
Dr Das begins his video by admitting that, in a hospital setting, identifying a psychopath is straightforward. “I have that patient detained under the Mental Health Act. I have access to all sorts of information about them,” he explains. But identifying a psychopath outside a clinical or forensic environment is far trickier. By nature, psychopaths are skilled at concealing their true intentions.
“Psychopaths are manipulative and can camouflage themselves remarkably well,” Dr Das notes. “But there are subtle signs you can watch for.”
The first red flag, he says, is exploitative behavior. Psychopaths often see other people as tools to serve their own ends. Whether it’s money, social connections, or romantic attention, they take what they can and rarely give anything in return. Their actions are often intertwined with narcissism, making them focus relentlessly on their own needs and desires.
This tendency to use others can be easy to overlook in casual social settings. Many people are self-interested, after all, but a psychopath’s actions are calculated and consistent. Friends, family, and colleagues may notice that interactions with the person always seem one-sided, yet the subtlety of the behavior makes it hard to articulate.
Superficial Relationships
The second clue, Dr Das explains, lies in the company they keep. Psychopaths often maintain a wide circle of acquaintances but lack meaningful connections. They might seem socially adept, knowing everyone at work, school, or in social circles, but these relationships are typically shallow and transactional.
“They use people and then discard them,” Dr Das says bluntly. “They don’t have deep friendships because they don’t form emotional bonds in the same way most people do.”
The pattern can emerge over time: friends mysteriously drift away, romantic partners feel unfulfilled, and colleagues notice a lack of genuine loyalty. Onlookers may see charisma and confidence, but the emotional void beneath the surface can leave a trail of hurt and confusion.
Psychopaths vs. Sociopaths
In the same video, Dr Das also tackles a common point of confusion: the difference between psychopaths and sociopaths. While both share traits like manipulation, lack of empathy, and readiness to betray others, the distinction lies in control and behavior.
“Psychopath is a formal medical term,” he explains. “If you ask 50 forensic psychiatrists, you’ll get the same answer.” Sociopath, on the other hand, is less formally defined and interpreted differently by different experts.
One of the key differences, he says, is emotional control. Psychopaths are cold and calculating. They can plan revenge meticulously, executing it with patience, like a “cold dish” served at the perfect moment. Sociopaths, however, struggle to contain their feelings. They act on impulse, often lashing out in anger or frustration, which makes them easier to detect in everyday life.
IQ and social integration also separate the two. Psychopaths can blend seamlessly into society, often appearing successful, charming, and dependable. Sociopaths, by contrast, tend to struggle with conventional social norms and may live on the fringes of society. Their impulsive actions and erratic emotions make them more noticeable, but less capable of hiding a dangerous streak.
Public Reaction and Real-Life Implications
Dr Das’s video has sparked significant public interest and discussion online. Many viewers expressed a mixture of fascination and fear, sharing personal stories about friends, partners, or colleagues who displayed some of the behaviors he described. Comments ranged from shock—“I think I know someone like this, and now it all makes sense”—to concern about being too trusting in professional and personal settings.
Mental health professionals stress that labeling someone a psychopath is complex. A diagnosis involves rigorous evaluation and should not be made lightly. Yet, recognizing potential warning signs can empower individuals to protect themselves and approach relationships with greater awareness.
The subtle signs outlined by Dr Das resonate because they are familiar, yet unsettling. Many people have encountered someone who is charming, ambitious, or intensely self-focused. The difference with a psychopath, experts say, is the consistency and intentionality behind these traits. They exploit, manipulate, and form relationships for personal gain rather than emotional connection.
Spotting the Hidden Patterns
The key, according to Dr Das, lies in patterns rather than isolated incidents. A single act of self-interest does not make someone a psychopath. But repeated behavior over months or years—manipulating others, maintaining superficial relationships, or displaying a calculated lack of empathy—can be indicative.
For those concerned about identifying such traits in their own circles, the advice is clear: trust instincts, observe interactions closely, and look for repeated patterns of exploitative behavior. Relationships with a psychopath often feel draining or one-sided. Friends may feel used, partners manipulated, and colleagues undermined—but the psychopath themselves often remains charming and persuasive.
The Broader Conversation
This conversation taps into a wider public fascination with true crime and psychology. Dr Das’s channel, along with the explosion of podcasts, documentaries, and social media discussions, highlights a growing awareness of mental health and criminal behavior. It also sparks debate about the thin line between ordinary self-interest and pathological manipulation.
Many viewers expressed relief at finally having language to describe troubling relationships. “It’s scary how many people fit this description,” one viewer wrote. “I wish I’d known this years ago.” Others, however, cautioned against overuse of the label, noting that misidentifying someone as a psychopath can strain relationships and create unnecessary fear.
Looking Ahead
As public awareness grows, experts hope people will approach the topic with both caution and curiosity. Understanding the traits of a psychopath does not mean turning every interaction into a psychological evaluation, but it can help people navigate relationships more safely. In workplaces, schools, and social networks, subtle awareness of exploitative behavior can prevent harm before it escalates.
Dr Das’s insights remind us that psychopaths are not always obvious. They do not always wear their intentions on their sleeve. Instead, their danger lies in subtlety—an undercurrent of charm masking self-interest, manipulation, and lack of empathy. Observing patterns, being cautious with trust, and understanding the difference between superficial charisma and genuine connection are essential tools in protecting oneself from harm.
In the end, the lesson is not to live in fear, but to approach relationships with eyes wide open. Psychopaths can blend in anywhere, from boardrooms to social circles, but understanding the subtle signals gives ordinary people a chance to spot danger before it leaves a mark.
