Simple test can reveal whether you are a psychopath or just a bad person

While most of your knowledge about psychopaths might come from fictional characters in films or from banding the term around as a slam, being one actually stems from a mental health condition.

It’s said that one in every 100 people can meet the criteria for psychopathy and plenty of people never even know it – but a simple test could show it.

The NHS doesn’t directly diagnose people as ‘psychopaths’ but the term is often used to reference people with personality disorders.

Some experts also say that there are people who may be driven by the odd psychopathic traits but don’t actually have a diagnosable disorder. And to help explore traits in high-functioning individuals, a test was designed to identify characteristics that’s pretty easy to follow.

Those referred to as psychopaths typically have personality disorders. (Getty Stock)

Now before we get into this, it’s important to remember that while these statements come from a real tool designed by psychologists, it’s not a way of handing out a diagnosis.

The test comes from the 54-item Successful Psychopathy Scale that was developed in 2022, as explained by Science Focus.

If you find yourself agreeing with a lot of these statements, it could be a reason to go and speak to a professional – not to immediately class yourself as a psychopath. These are simply traits that can show up in various people, professionals would need to look into them in context.

It's important to seek advice from a professional if you're concerned. (Getty Stock)

Test statements

• I am quite cold-hearted
• I don’t tend to feel guilty if I hurt someone’s feelings
• I tend to be egotistical
• Playing to win is more important than playing fair
• When things go my way, I tend to be smug about it
• I am skilled in interacting with other people
• I can use my emotional skills to change how another person is feeling
• I know how to get people to do what I want
• In the groups I am part of, I am usually the leader
• I am confident in speaking my mind
• I am skilled in lots of things
• I can handle high-pressure situations
• I pride myself on my ability to make split-second decisions
• I will do almost anything to get what I want

But an important thing to note is pointed out by psychology professor Dr Beth Visser: “If anyone is concerned about being a psychopath, they probably aren’t.”

Always seek a healthcare professional for medical advice.

If you're experiencing distressing thoughts and feelings, the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) is there to support you. They're open from 5pm–midnight, 365 days a year. Their national number is 0800 58 58 58 and they also have a webchat service if you're not comfortable talking on the phone.