title: Apparent normality and feigned sociopathy.
abstract: Attention is called to conscious episodes of mild sociopathy by technically normal individuals who are experiencing identification difficulties with their groups or substructures. These deliberately engineered episodes appear to represent distress signals to gain more attention and involvement from counsellors. The cases described involved behavioral hypochondria rather than mental or physical symptoms. Feigned sociopathy could be a surface manifestation of more serious psychological or social problems.
mesh_terms: D000987:Antisocial Personality Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003376:Counseling / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006998:Hypochondriasis / Q000175:diagnosis; D008297:Male; D010379:Peer Group; D012917:Social Adjustment; D012925:Social Conformity