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China Elevator Stories
Does a Psychopath Reveal Their Identity Through Language?
Certain speech patterns can reveal psychopathic tendencies.
02/06/2024
Ruth Silbermayr
Author
Not every psychopath speaks in the same way, but certain speech patterns can sometimes hint at psychopathic tendencies.
One common speech pattern I’ve observed in my Chinese ex-husband, who is an undiagnosed psychopath (undiagnosed because no one could compel him to see a psychologist for an evaluation), involves frequent discussions about murder. He often talks about people being murdered or references murder casually, implying that such acts are either amusing or justified.
This type of language can make empathetic people uncomfortable. If you are empathetic, you likely believe that no one deserves to be murdered, and you wouldn’t discuss serious crimes like murder as though they were entertaining or trivial.
Another pattern is projecting his own actions or intentions onto others. For example, here’s a message he once sent me:
Him: “So what would you want to do about it? Hire a murderer to kill them?”
This message was part of a conversation where I asked him to tell his parents to stop alienating our children from me.
If he were commissioning someone to follow me or even attempting to have me harmed, he would often accuse me of doing exactly that to others. This kind of projection—blaming others for actions he is likely considering or committing—is a recurring pattern in his speech.
Psychopaths are also known for their ability to feign empathy without actually feeling it. This allows them to blend into society, often leading others to believe they are kind or trustworthy when, in reality, they are not.
There are many other signs that can reveal a psychopath. Once you’ve encountered these behaviors, you’ll likely recognize them more easily if you meet another psychopath in the future.
Have you ever dated a psychopath?