When A Sociopath Has Targeted You for Destruction

If you are one of the lucky ones, you only temporarily crossed paths with a Sociopath, and were used (possibly abused or picked-clean) then discarded like yesterday’s trash.

However, if you are one of the unfortunate ones, you are a lifetime target of Sociopathic Character Assassination: a full-on, unbridled attempt by the Sociopath to totally destroy any credibility that the unsuspecting victim may have had.

What makes this victim so special over other victims that they are targeted to be the recipient of an obsessive and compulsive campaign of systematic destruction?

Simply stated, in most cases, lifetime targets of a Sociopath know too much about the Sociopath.

Sociopaths routinely maintain at least two separate personas. One personality that is embraced by unsuspecting society, the other is their true self, their dark side; the one they keep hidden. They may have many other personalities that they dial-in at any particular moment to manipulate their current audience and change masks at will with the intent to defraud.

It is imperative that the Sociopath keep their dark sides hidden from the general populace. Think about it; if anyone knew who they really were, their lives would unravel. To the Sociopath, protecting the secrecy of their true malicious nature is as important to them as anything that provides life or sense of purpose to any other normal human being.

Sociopaths usually launch laser focused unilateral attacks following a very calculated formula. Even though there is no known, “playbook,” that has been published for the Sociopath to follow, they all intuitively use the same system to ruin the lives of those who they feel may be a threat to the sacred secrecy of his or her true self. Certainly, making a potential witness appear to be crazy, mentally disturbed, unstable or anti-social is the logical solution. 

LAYING THE GROUNDWORK

Years of research and experience has concluded that usually within the first moments of engaging with a victim who might have access to too much personal information on the Sociopath, they begin to sow the seeds of doubt and lack of trustworthiness behind the victim’s back.

The Sociopath draws in friends, family, third parties, co-workers, neighbors and acquaintances of the victim with his or her lies, manipulations and victim playing in an effort to build a (false) trust relationship with the fringe audience and paint the target as someone of poor character. This is accomplished with little effort as the sociopath has innate skill to easily control the perceptions of others endearing them to him or her as they wield their persuasiveness.

The initial impact, though appearing quite harmless and innocuous is commonly cloaked in the appearance of concern for the victim’s well-being and might sound something, like, “I don’t know if you’ve ever noticed, but have you ever thought that (insert victim’s name) may not be what he (or she) appears to be?” No accusations, no data, reports or inclinations of anything concrete, just tilling the soil and fertilizing it with a little doubt.

All the while, they are increasing their own credibility with someone who may be a family member, friend, associate, community contact or acquaintance of the intended victim; unaware that they are being groomed as the Sociopath’s minion who will be turned against the victim when the time is right.

SOWING FALSE “FACTS”

Grooming from this point forward will take a secretive slant and will likely be presupposed with something, like, “Don’t tell (insert name), but…” as they actually sow seeds of doubt.

As the relationship between the sociopath and his or her minion(s) grows deeper, more and more seeds will be sown in an effort to cast doubt, while the victim is none the wiser.

I’ve always thought it peculiar, that in most cases, these once close associates of the victim rarely, if ever, courteously approach them with the sensitive information with a sincere, “Hey, I was just wondering about (insert reports of lack of sanity, trustworthiness, a secret double-life, illicit drug-use, illegal activities, pathological symptoms, etc…)…” that would definitely be an early indicator that something was up.

In most circumstances the victim continues to navigate their life’s journey unaware that the world they once enjoyed is being eroded or destroyed behind their back.

It is common for the Sociopath to project their psychological attributes onto the target. For instance, if they engage in criminal behavior, then this will be represented as being a problem for you. If he or she is greedy, interfering and demanding, this would be presented as something that you struggle with. If they are pathological liars and tend to make up elaborate stories, it will be the victim who secretly lives a fantasy-life where nothing is as it seems… on and on and on…

Why? Because no one knows these attributes better than the Sociopath. They are the undeniable expert in these pathologies and they know how critical it is for someone who has them to keep them a secret in an effort to appear to be normal.

In no way is it suggested that the Sociopath might limit their attacks to their own attributes. They are extremely acute at the skill of taking a grain of truth and spinning it into a ludicrous conclusion that will cast a dark shadow on anyone at any time.

ENTER THE “SPIN”

Sociopaths have the ability to spin any factual data into an outrageous yet convincing yarn that will breed conspiracy or contempt for any individual at will.

For instance, let’s say that you had a hard day at work all day, due to struggling with an intense ongoing headache. Everyone at work could tell that you were not “on your game” as usual. If you intimated to the Sociopath that you had a headache; that would give them the data that they needed to spin a tale.

The tale may take many shapes and forms, but will be consistent with some of the previous seeds that had been sown against you. For instance, if the Sociopath’s intention was to have you appear to his or her minions that you were a closet illicit drug user, he or she might intimate, “Wow, did you notice that (insert your name) was out of it yesterday? It’s normal to go through withdrawals when you don’t get your fix before you get to work… It’s so sad…”

No matter what you say or do, you cannot prevent the Sociopath from spinning it into a negative story about you that will erode your sense of normalcy. 

Instilling shame, embarrassment, guilt, and fear is how all abusers control and silence their victims.

THE BEGINNING OF THE END

When the Sociopath has a clue that you are coming to the end of your usefulness in the accomplishment of their goals, he or she ramps up the defamation, usually making it appear that it is you who is beginning to attack them. At this point the Sociopath will appeal to their minions’ sensibilities as they present themselves as the sacrifice, martyr or victim of your psychotic manipulations.

Having no internal filter, they will stop at nothing in an effort to degrade and humiliate you. They will spout vile accusations, even proclaim you’re mentally ill, if it will support their proclamation that you are dangerous and cannot be trusted.

Trying to defend yourself is almost pointless. Often anything that you say in your defense will appear to be a part of your alleged psychosis and will strengthen all of the groundwork that the Sociopath has laid in preparation of this moment.

Even if the Sociopath’s relationship with the minions begins to dissolve (as it almost always does when the minions outgrow their usefulness), the seeds will always leave a mark in their minds… and as heartbreaking as it may be, in most cases, regardless of the ultimate revelation of the Sociopath’s parasitic lifestyle, there may be no hope for recovering the life that you once knew.

Jobs, reputations and fortunes may be lost, friends will turn their backs on you, family members will distance themselves, the people entrusted to help you will always wonder who you “really were” all the time they knew you.

THE RELENTLESS COMMITMENT TO YOUR DESTRUCTION

There is no way to anticipate how long the attacks will take place. In some cases, if the Sociopath is the least bit concerned that you might at some point discredit them or tarnish their appearance or reputation… the attacks will continue. If the Sociopath believes that at any point you could be a threat to their charade, the spinning will not cease. This perceived threat may continue until either of you cease to be.

Many Sociopaths make it clear by the unrelenting torment of their victims that they will not rest until you are locked-up, put away, homeless, or dead.

 MANIPULATION OF AUTHORITIES

Sociopaths may even go as far as to manipulate the authorities. In many cases a devious Sociopath may launch a criminal complaint and have you arrested in an effort to take away your freedom and make certain that you will have little or no credibility whatsoever. Destroying the target through the legal system plays quite effectively into their slanderous toolbox, diverts attention away from their unsavory behavior and gives them the leverage they need to get away with their misdeeds all the while garnering loads of sympathy and support (narcissistic supply) or being perceived as the injured party.  

SOCIAL MEDIA

If you are active in social media, it is not very hard for the Sociopath to tap into your network and stalk, monitor and spy. A Sociopath keeps tabs on their target with the same ferocity a day trader keeps track of the rise and fall of stocks. Their lioe revolves around gathering intel, weaponizing information and spinning everything you say or do against you. Controlling the narrative through fabrication, obstruction, editing, omission and outright fraud is priority number one.

For the Sociopath is a shameless predator always engaged in a cover-up of their seething hostility, diabolical ruthlessness and degenerate way of life.