I occasionally receive email and other communication from readers. Sometimes the subject matter contains thanks, but often it contains questions regarding my own experiences. Many who consider themselves antisocial in some fashion are often starving for information regarding their condition. They want to know if there are others like them, whether others share the same lack of empathy, whether others have the same bloodlust, parasitism, and manipulative skills that they do. They want to know that they are not alone – not because they need others for support, but as a means of understanding themselves better. For my antisocial brother or sister, my door is always open.
Why do I bring this up? Consider the body of knowledge on Borderline Personality Disorder and the many memoirs of those who are Borderline. Consider the same for Bipolar Disorder … or depression … or schizophrenia … or Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder … or any other psychological or psychiatric ailment. (Well, except maybe Narcissistic Personality Disorder). The truth is, some disorders and conditions are considered more “acceptable” than others. The body of knowledge speaks of treatments available and innumerable voices are allowed to be heard speaking quite candidly on those subjects. No one questions the validity or ethics of one who is afflicted with any of those disorders. They are not scorned – in the same degree – when referring to their conditions the way that the antisocial or psychopathic individual is.
The truth is, there is a not-so-subtle blackout on antisocial voices. Few memoirs exist and the condition is abhorred and denied treatment by the overwhelming number of mental health professionals. We are thrown in prisons and denied any chance at coexistence with society. We are told that we are untreatable and unwanted. Lest our “inhumanity” transfer to others, we are kept silent with ToS and other “safety measures” targeted at preserving the purity of others. Where does that leave the psychopath? Disillusioned and alone.
It is important that all voices are heard – antisocial and neurotypical, mentally well and mentally ill. One person’s poison is another’s panacea. Why should the cure be withheld if it is perceived as “dangerous”or “impure” to others? The psychopath tends not to care about the opinions of others, however the psychopath may still wish to know more about their own mental state. If the only voice from the darkness is their own, they may never have that insight. Only by all of us, speaking together, can we know our commonalities: answering many of the questions that the larger antisocial mass holds. We must be allowed to speak and to be heard, if only for ourselves.
Society still wishes to cut our tongues out, however. Society fears that we will taint them … that we will harm them … that we will usurp them. Maybe. My concern lies elsewhere, however. I greatly enjoy the email that I receive, but I dream of a world where I am not needed. I dream of a society where the antisocial can be heard and understand themselves on their own. We may be always painted as damned, so let our siblings be the source of knowledge that society will not provide. We are human; we deserve no less. To my antisocial family, rise and be heard!
Bonus audio commentary follows: