Ratings45
Average rating3.7
An engrossing, “completely fascinating” (Cosmopolitan) memoir revealing the author’s struggle to come to terms with her own sociopathy and shed light on the often maligned and misunderstood mental disorder.
Patric Gagne realized she made others uncomfortable before she started kindergarten. Something about her caused people to react in a way she didn’t understand. She suspected it was because she didn’t feel things the way other people did. Emotions like fear, guilt, and empathy eluded her. For the most part, she felt nothing. And she didn’t like the way that “nothing” felt.
In college, Patric finally confirmed what she’d long suspected. She was a sociopath. But even though it was the very first personality disorder identified—well over 200 years ago—sociopathy had been neglected by mental health professionals for decades. She was told there was no treatment, no hope for a normal life. But when Patric reconnects with an old flame, she gets a glimpse of a future beyond her diagnosis. If she’s capable of love, it must mean that she isn’t a like the madmen and evil villains in pop culture. With the help of her sweetheart (and some curious characters she meets along the way) she embarks on a mission to prove that the millions of Americans who share her diagnosis aren’t all monsters either.
This is the inspiring story of Patric’s journey to unlock the true nature of sociopathy and build a life of love and hope against all odds.
Reviews with the most likes.
Cannot help feeling the author is very obsessed with herself. This has nothing to do with author being "apathetic", genuinely does not sound like a pleasant person to be around with. But definitely a honest book..since she sounds like a terrible person (tho maybe she doesn't realize that's why she can be so honest in her writing). Not much insightful tbh.. "Hmmm...OK." is my reaction through entire book.
Patric’s story really exemplifies the idea that you can only help people who want to be helped. I found it interesting and there is a lot of detail here to unpack.