The 5 Types of People Who Can Ruin Your Life Series: Unmasking the Cruel Con Artist
In the second episode of the "5 Types of People Who Can Ruin Your Life" series, Bill and Megan focus on one of the most challenging and dangerous high conflict personality types: those with antisocial personality traits, also known as cruel con artists. They explore what defines this personality type, how to identify the red flags, and most importantly, what you can do to protect yourself from their manipulative tactics.
Bill and Megan start by discussing the key characteristics of people with antisocial personality traits, including their lack of empathy, remorse, and their tendency to lie and deceive without hesitation. They note that while not all individuals with antisocial traits are violent criminals, many engage in secretive behaviors that can be extremely harmful to those close to them.
One of the main challenges with those who have antisocial personality traits is their ability to charm and manipulate others. Bill and Megan emphasize the importance of looking beyond surface-level charm and conducting thorough background checks when entering into any significant relationship, whether personal or professional.
They also discuss the confusion and self-doubt that often arise when dealing with someone who has antisocial personality traits. Megan shares a personal experience of feeling confused and questioning her own perceptions when interacting with someone who exhibited these traits.
Questions we answer in this episode:
- What are the key characteristics of someone with antisocial personality traits?
- How can you identify if someone you know might have antisocial personality traits?
- What are some common manipulative tactics used by people with antisocial personality traits?
- How can you protect yourself from being conned or harmed by someone with antisocial personality traits?
- What should you do if you suspect you're in a relationship with someone who has antisocial personality traits?
Key Takeaways:
- People with antisocial personality traits lack empathy, remorse, and frequently lie and deceive others.
- Charm and manipulation are common traits, making it essential to look beyond surface-level impressions.
- Background checks and seeking input from others who know the person are crucial when entering significant relationships.
- Trust your gut feelings if something seems "off" or too good to be true.
- Prioritize self-protection and set clear boundaries when dealing with individuals suspected of having antisocial personality traits.
This episode provides invaluable insights into the complex and often dangerous world of those with antisocial personality traits. As part of the "5 Types of People Who Can Ruin Your Life" series, it helps listeners understand the unique challenges posed by this specific high conflict personality type. By recognizing the red flags, common manipulative tactics, and the importance of self-protection, listeners will be better equipped to navigate relationships with these individuals. Bill and Megan's expertise and practical advice make this a must-listen for anyone looking to safeguard themselves and their loved ones from the devastating impact of cruel con artists.
Links & Other Notes
Note: We are not diagnosing anyone in our discussions, merely discussing patterns of behavior.
- (00:00) - Welcome to It's All Your Fault
- (00:35) - The Antisocial Type
- (01:08) - The Problem
- (06:06) - Antisocial, Sociopath, and Psychopath
- (08:00) - Categories of Behavior
- (11:50) - Impact on Others
- (13:05) - Generally the Worst
- (14:40) - Against Society's Rules
- (17:59) - Counseling
- (19:48) - Identifying
- (27:00) - What You Can Do
- (30:40) - Saying Something
- (32:47) - Bit of Wisdom
- (35:15) - Reminders & Coming Next Week: Borderline Personality Types
What is It’s All Your Fault: High Conflict People?
Hosted by Bill Eddy, LCSW, Esq. and Megan Hunter, MBA, It’s All Your Fault! High Conflict People explores the five types of people who can ruin your life—people with high conflict personalities and how they weave themselves into our lives in romance, at work, next door, at school, places of worship, and just about everywhere, causing chaos, exhaustion, and dread for everyone else.
They are the most difficult of difficult people — some would say they’re toxic. Without them, tv shows, movies, and the news would be boring, but who wants to live that way in your own life!
Have you ever wanted to know what drives them to act this way?
In the It’s All Your Fault podcast, we’ll take you behind the scenes to understand what’s happening in the brain and illuminates why we pick HCPs as life partners, why we hire them, and how we can handle interactions and relationships with them. We break down everything you ever wanted to know about people with the 5 high conflict personality types: narcissistic, borderline, histrionic, antisocial/sociopath, and paranoid.
And we’ll give you tips on how to spot them and how to deal with them.