This book is an incredible look into one of the most misunderstood mental illnesses. I really enjoyed being able to read inside her head.

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley.

Patric realized at a young age that something about her was different than her peers. She knew that she didn't quiet fit it. She tried to talk to her parents about it, but instead of guiding her through her differences, her parents seemed to be almost freighted by what she would share. Patric figured out that many people would use her to do things for them that they did not have the courage to do for themselves.

Between the misconceptions of what she should/should not feel and people manipulating Patric to do things for them, she grew up with an unclear expectation of what an official diagnosis of Sociopath meant. Without the proper resources to guide her, or therapy available to her, she had to pave the pathway for people with this diagnosis.

This text is about how she survived a diagnosis before there were clear expectations of what she should act like, expect, and do in order to live a "healthy life".

Patric Gagne has never felt emotions like the people around her. In Sociopath, Gagne takes us on a journey through her life and provides insight and feedback into her view of the world, others, and herself. In this story of self-exploration, Gagne emphasizes research and continued education as means to further understand the intricacies of life. As a mental health professional, I found this book to be interesting and informative. I would recommend this book to anyone who has felt different and for those who want to see life from a different perspective.

What an incredible book. I admire this women for writing her story and taking away the stigma of diagnoses used for mental health disorders. I learned so much and was able to take things will be that will allow me to be more open, understanding, and knowledgeable for people suffering from these disorders. What a power book that I highly recommend for anyone to read.

A truly fascinating glimpse into the mind of a sociopath. What was most interesting to me was reading about how Gagne tried to navigate her feelings of being "different" as a child. When she asks a college professor if sociopaths perhaps have a "feeling disability," in the same way that others have a learning disability, it made me think differently about the way sociopaths have to navigate the world. In short, it made me feel empathy for them. The pride she takes in her stealing from others is certainly off-putting, and I did find it odd, as the NYT review noted, that the author seems to remember every word of decades-ago meet-cute conversations.

When writing reviews, my first thought always goes to the author-- imagining and empathizing with how she or he would feel, reading a review that was anything less than effusive. While in this case, I am indeed a fan of the work, it has struck me how liberating it must be to release a work of writing, a deeply personal memoir at that, and have little-to-no emotional attachment to how it's received. Perhaps that is how Gagne is able to deliver her story and be so transparent about her oft-stigmatized diagnosis.

Easily digestible, exceedingly relatable, and told with precision (if a little cold), Sociopath: A Memoir is the kind of book that should be required reading. Whether you suspect you or someone you know is on the sociopathic spectrum, or you merely have a passing interest in psychology, this offers a unique view into the world of a human condition that has rarely been explored and, when it is, is too often, and wrongly, stigmatized.

My only criticism, if you could even call it that, I felt like the Epilogue was just the beginning, that it glossed over much of what were the most compelling parts of the book. Ultimately, I wanted more detail-- though I recognize that being within the story of one's own life experience often precludes one from fully knowing where more detail would be helpful, especially when the very experience into which the author delves (and lives) is one that involves having difficulties with empathy. For instance, I would love to have learned more about how she works with her patients, what she feels towards them, how she relates (or not) with them. I'd also have liked to learn more about her thought process when writing this memoir. She talks about wanting to publish it so that others on the sociopathic spectrum would have a resource, so they wouldn't feel so alone-- but where was she in all of it, emotionally-speaking? Or is that sort of the point, that she's emotionally removed? I guess I wanted to learn more about how she learned the 'art of emotions', and to what extent. Although, again, I suppose that you only truly know your own emotions and comparison is difficult to pin down and mostly irrelevant.

I received this ARC via Netgalley prior to its publication April 2nd 2024! Thank you to Netgalley and Simon & Schuster for the chance to read this one!
I'm a clinical social worker, so this book immediately stood out to me when I read the synopsis. I was also raised on true crime and find the criminal mind fascinating, so I was intrigued and excited to hear about the other end of the coin-- diagnosed sociopaths who DON'T fit the mold we prescribe to the sociopathic mind. Patric takes us through the confusing experiences she had growing up, realizing that the makeup of her brain was somehow fundamentally different from other kids her age as well as her frustrated, confused parents.
During her adolescence into young adulthood, Patric is navigating both romance and friendships, all with the sneaking suspicion that there is something off about her. While finding creative ways to ease the 'pressure' that leads her to risky, dangerous, and sometimes outright violence acts, Patric finds the confusing, multi dimensional label 'sociopath' that seems to most closely aligns with her own understanding of her inner world. She decides to go to graduate school to better understand the linkage between sociopathy, psychopathy, and anxiety. This book tells us about the research Patric found in her work, but focuses primarily on the personal journey Patric finds herself on while trying to push past her gnawing apathy.
I really enjoyed this book overall. I found it interesting and compelling, despite getting a tad repetitive by the end. It was clear to me while reading that Patric Gagne is a clinical psychologist first and a writer second-- she doesn't get into the flowery language or poetic nuance that typically comes with memoirs.
I do recommend this book if you're interested in the subject matter! I enjoyed it!

I'm not sure how else to explain this book other than fascinating & eye-opening. Many of us already have an idea of what a sociopath is & they are not good people. The author gives us an insight into the mind of a diagnosed sociopath, her own. We follow her from childhood as she realizes early one she does not seem to express the same emotions as those around her. She is open with the impulsive things she did when she was younger like stealing, breaking into homes, "stealing" cars, etc. Patric is very self-aware & wants to find put more about who she is & what being a sociopath means.

I learned quite a bit about mental illness & the differences between psychopaths & sociopaths. If this is a topic that interests you, I highly recommend you check it out.

Patric knew she was a sociopath before she even knew what a sociopath was. As a young girl, she had overwhelming compulsions to steal, lie and harm others. She was different from the other kids, and they didn’t like her. When she told her parents how she felt, they wanted to help, but didn’t know how. “Sociopath” wasn’t even in the dictionary - so Patric grew up learning everything she could about antisocial personality disorders.

At the library, she learned that sociopathy was seen is the same as psychopathy. The tests to diagnose both disorders are the same. Popular culture mixes up the two words commonly. Patric could feel SOME emotions; she knew her heart wasn’t dead. There was nobody to help her though, as sociopathy was (and still is) a misunderstood disorder.

After seeing a therapist for a while, Patric was encouraged to get her doctorate in psychology, so she could help other sociopaths. She did just that, working to change how the illness is diagnosed, and trying to come up with treatment plans. Her dissertation was about the tie between sociopathy and anxiety - how can someone with no feelings have fear?

This book was slightly dry, but it’s the first memoir I’ve read by an actual sociopath, and some parts were interesting. I’ve suspected that a couple of people in my life are sociopaths, and just like the author, they’re relatively “normal” people … who just have zero empathy and no remorse for their actions. They make it work though, and there are many successful sociopaths in our society. Overall, I liked this and thought the author was brave - even if she feels like she was only brave because she couldn’t feel any other way.
3.5 stars, rounded up.

(Thank you to Simon & Schuster, Patric Gagne and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review.)

This book was fascinating! I have always been interested in sociology and psychology so this book lent itself right into the peak of my interest. I cant imagine how Patric navigated feeling like she could not be herself or how she didnt feel normal for so long. Its super interesting that she ended up in the field basically because of this. I loved reading it from her perspective and have a new appreciation for the background into being a Sociopath.

Release date 04/02/2024 - Thank you Netgalley for the advanced reader! 4 Stars!

I wasn't sure what to expect while reading this memoir, but it was most definitely interesting. To be diagnosed as a sociopath and freely go about telling everyone about it seems a bit offputting to me, but hey it is not my life to live! It did make for a very thrilling story to read, that is for sure! I would recommend for those that like memoirs, true crime, psychological thrillers, etc.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Sociopath was an excellent memoir. Dr. Gagne's writing was insightful, honest, and raw. I really appreciated the stories from her childhood, to show how her sociopathy manifested and how internally frustrating it was. This memoir has the power to change the stigma and stories around this personality disorder, and remove the villainization from it. I read this very quickly and was so appreciative to have heard the author speak on her book tour.

In "Sociopath," Patric Gagne offers a raw and unflinching glimpse into the mind of a sociopath through his own memoir. Gagne bravely shares his personal journey, navigating the complexities of living with sociopathy and the impact it has had on his life and relationships.

Gagne's memoir is a riveting and thought-provoking read, shedding light on the inner workings of a sociopathic mind with honesty and insight. As readers accompany him on his journey, they are confronted with the stark realities of sociopathy, from its inherent challenges to its societal implications.

"Sociopath" challenges readers to confront their preconceptions about mental health and morality, offering a unique perspective on what it means to live with a condition often misunderstood by society. Gagne's narrative is both compelling and cautionary, serving as a testament to the power of self-awareness and personal growth.

Former therapist Dr. Patric Gagne shares her fascinating story of growing up with a frequently misunderstood mental health condition, learning how to understand and cope with her sociopathy, and eventually learning to help others with anti-social personality disorders. Her memoir is well written, drawing the reader into her life with memorable anecdotes and vulnerable honesty regarding her emotional and behavioral struggles. Her story is sometimes shocking, always thought-provoking and entertaining, and occasionally made me laugh out loud. The author seamlessly combines her personal story with research about her condition, allowing readers to learn in a relatable way.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys memoirs and is curious about abnormal psychology.

I received a complimentary ARC through NetGalley that I volunteered to review.

The truth is, we all likely know a diagnosable sociopath. They aren’t all the violent monsters mainstream media makes them out to be, and this insightful memoir gives us the opportunity to peek into the mind of one. It offers readers a thought-provoking look of what it feels like to experience apathy to an high degree.

Patric Gagne explains with great use of metaphor that sociopathy is much like emotional bad eyesight. The big things, like happiness and anger are clear, but the more nuanced feelings, particularly shame, guilt, and fear, are much fuzzier and require her to really squint to see. Even then, she only understands it in a logical sense – she can see that her sister fears of the man offering puppies in the back of his white van, but she can’t fathom why, or experience that emotion herself.

Patric issues a heartfelt plea to psychology experts to do a better job at carving out the distinct variations between sociology and psychopathy, especially against the backdrop of other personality issues. At the end of the day, psychologists don’t know much, if anything, about sociopathy outside of the legal system. That lack of knowledge is a disservice to people like Patric, who could have adapted much better as a child had she been given the opportunities and tools to cope with the things that made her different.

I would say I appreciate Patric’s bravery in sharing her story, but to be brave you must first feel fear and I know she doesn’t. So, I’ll say that I appreciate her candor, her willingness to openly “other” herself, and her commitment to help others understand an extremely misunderstood diagnosis.

While this was a fascinating look into a sociopath's mind, I also found it disturbing and scary. Gagne has funneled her illness into good by getting her doctorate in a desparate attempt to understand herself, but she also pushed so many legal and personal boundaries. From stalking people to entertaining thoughts of violence, I wondered often how she felt it was ok to skirt these gray areas. Her openness and vulnerability about her diagnosis was equal parts interesting and disturbing - almost like she wore it like a badge of honor. I'm not saying she should hide who she is, but she seemed to use it as shock value and she often lead with it when meeting new people which I found odd.

While I didn't feel overwhelmingly compelled by her story, it was interesting to learn about sociopathy and watch her turn her situation into a success story.

Patric Gagne grew up knowing that she wasn’t like other children. In this unique memoir, she chronicles her slow discovery that she is a sociopath as well as her journey to reclaim the word, allowing the rest of society to understand it better. Sociopath, she explains, is a term far more expansive than its pop culture definition. People with the condition, like Gagne and many others, have difficulty with learned emotions like empathy and remorse. As she writes, it wasn’t that she didn’t care; it was that she didn’t care that she didn’t care. Growing up, she finds herself engaging in lawless, destructive, and occasionally dangerous behavior in order to alleviate the psychological pressure that she feels. She takes solace in a line spoken by Jessica Rabbit in the movie WHO FRAMED ROGER RABBIT: “I’m not bad. I’m just drawn that way.” As Gagne learns to mask her condition and mimic what’s viewed as “normal” behavior, she also discovers how little is understood about sociopaths from a clinical perspective—and how becoming an expert in the field herself may provide her with a path forward. Gagne writes evocatively about her experiences, as when she describes knowing she is upset but not being able to feel it, like chewing something she couldn’t taste. There’s too much space devoted to her time in the music industry—which turns out to be a welcoming environment for those with her condition—and an occasional reliance on vague terminology like “borrowing my ego strength.” A questionable time jump before the final chapter denies us the chance to follow along as Gagne finds her calling in psychological studies, becoming a therapist who specializes in the treatment of others like her. But overall, SOCIOPATH is compelling memoir about people who are not bad, but simply drawn that way.

is the author a sociopath?I don’t know. Her parents both sounded horrible. Her mother was very manipulative in a strange way that she doesn’t seem to realize. The story with the ferret was bizarre. Why did the mom think it was appropriate to teach her a lesson about it? What lesson? She was just punishing her for not reacting the exact way that she wanted her to without explaining anything in a weird vindictive. She was a small child.

Her father took pictures of himself with strange women and clients. Despite her degree and interest in psychology she never examined her parents poor behavior. Some people mentioned that her dad was taking advantage of her and was strange but she ignored it. She did not talk much about her sister. I honestly feel like there’s something else going on with her like autism, ADHD and stimulation seeking rather than being a sociopath she didn’t seem to understand how to connect with people and emotions, but she was interested and was able to mask and fit in with society

4.25

Setting: California and Florida
Rep: sociopathy

This is certainly an interesting memoir that I blazed through in a day, though I do feel I have to take it with a pinch of salt as a lot of the conversations Patric recalls felt quite staged and probably very over exaggerated. There was quite a lot of repetition but I did really enjoy the book and found it fascinating and informative, and very persuasive with regards to the difficulties of sociopaths. It's difficult to find much about the author online and there's a lot of speculation about the validity of her qualifications and stories but that kind of makes it more interesting in a way as it'd be cool if it's actually some kind of experimental fiction.

I’m really glad I picked this one up. It was absolutely fascinating and I flew through it. I really appreciated how Gagne challenged the beliefs on sociopathy and rephrased sociopathy as an “emotional learning difficulty”. It was also really interesting to read from the perspective of what wasn’t said in the memoir. There is definitely a lot in the book that isn’t legal and I can’t help but wonder if there was more that wasn’t mentioned. I also would have been very curious to hear how her relationship with her mom shifted once her mom knew her diagnosis. Beyond the fact that this was a horizon opening read, I also think this one will give a lot of people with sociopathy hope and a chance to feel seen.